PVA’s medical care Summit + Expo to gather interdisciplinary doctors from all over the United States
NEW ORLEANS, August 25, 2025 / PRNewswire/ -The paralyzed veterans of America began their 2025 Healthcare Summit + Expo, gathering 400 interdisciplinary health professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Private Sector for four days of dynamic learning and collaboration. Throughout the week, attendees will obtain information on the latest advances in the care of the spinal cord injury, ELA and EM, from avant -garde research to scientific advances, equipping them with new techniques and knowledge that will improve the results for their patients. The event has 110 speakers, including an update of the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Doug Collinsas well as 60 exhibitors.
“World class delivery to veterans and others with injuries and diseases of the spinal cord, such as EM and ELA, requires constant growth and innovation,” he said Robert ThomasNational President of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The PVA + Expo Health Summit provides doctors to direct access to innovative research, emerging technologies and proven practices to advance the standard of care for people with SCI/D.
While there are variations in data, approximately 305,000 people live with spinal cord injuries in the United States, with approximately 18,000 new injuries every year. Approximately 28,000 of 42,000 veterans with SCI and more than 22,000 veterans with EM receive attention from the VA, while more than 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with ELA every year. Now in its thirteenth year, the Health Summit of Medical Care + PVA Expo supports these veterans and all people with LME/D by helping their doctors promote patient care, improve the quality of life and maximize independence.
“Behind each advance in the medical care of SCI/D are the doctors who implement that knowledge in practice,” he said Lindsay PerlmanDirector of Veterans Research and Education of Paralyzed America. “The Health Summit of the PVA + Expo career aims to train these doctors by providing access to the most recent information, tools and therapies available for their patients. We firmly believe that when supporting their professional growth, offering continuous education credits and providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, we are improving the quality of life of the veteran to which they serve.”
He Summit It also includes the PVA clinical excellence awards, presented to six doctors in the United States for their excellent commitment to the care of veterans and others who live with SCI/D. This year’s winners include: 1) Dr. Doug Ota, Va Palo Alto System (California); 2) Dr. Thomas M. DixonLouis Stokes Cleveland Va Medical Center (Ohio); 3) Heather Pfleider, Boston Health Care System; 4) Elizabeth Carbonneau, medical care system Va Sierra Nevada; 5) Dr. William Scott DoerhoffCentral Veterans Medical Care System of Arkansas; and 6) Katelyn Murray, Edward Hines Jr. VA hospital (Ill.).
PVA is grateful for our generous sponsors of the support of the Health Summit + Expo this year, which includes Biogen, First Nation Group, Genentech, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Nmeda, Novartis, Onward Medical Inc., Permobil, Quantum and TG Therapeutics. Visitpva.org for more information.
About the paralyzed veterans of America
The paralyzed veterans of America are a 501 veteran service organization (c) (3) and the only organization of the veterans service with the congress dedicated exclusively for the benefit and representation of veterans with injuries or diseases of the spinal cord. The organization ensures that veterans receive the benefits obtained through service to our nation; Monitor your care in spinal cord injury units; and research and education funds in the search for a cure and better attention for people with paralysis.
As a partner for life and defender of veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and professional services, works to guarantee accessibility in buildings and public spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, the paralyzed veterans of America serve veterans, their families and their caregivers in the 50 states, the D.C.and Puerto Rico. Get more information at PVA.org.
Contact: Kristina Packard
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Source paralyzed veterans of America
