Feature News

Symposium Registration Now Open and Gala Tickets Now on Sale

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) and the Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF) today launched Country United: Advancing Medicine from the Frontlines to the Homefront, a two-day event comprised of the Partnership for Military Medicine Symposium and the Country United Gala. The events will take place on November 6 & 7, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill will co-chair Country United in support of our nation's wounded warriors. Symposium registration and Gala tickets are both available at www.countryunited.org. Country United is on Facebook and Twitter and may be found by searching for "Country United."

Proceeds from Country United will benefit the efforts of HJF and TMF to advance medical care and improve quality of life for our nation's service members and civilians. Through HJF, funds will support the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) -- our nation's only federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. (For more information about USU, see www.usuhs.mil.) Through TMF, funds will further civilian and military collaborations in the neurosciences and oncology to improve diagnostics, treatments, and quality of life for military and civilian patients.

"Today's real war heroes are the military doctors, medics, nurses, and others who rush the frontlines to save as many soldiers as possible," said Army Chaplain (Major) Jeff Struecker, who was featured in the national best-selling book and motion picture "Black Hawk Down." "Their dedication is also seen off the battlefield where they have advanced medicine so far that wounded warriors now have the opportunity to lead fully functional lives. Thank God for these courageous care providers."

Many of USU's more than 4,300 alumni serve on active duty as supporting medical personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. USU, often referred to as "the West Point of military medicine," prepares the next generation of uniformed doctors, nurses, and federal health researchers.

"My father Tug McGraw proudly served as a Marine, and I'm honored to play a role in this very special event. The goal of Country United is aligned with our own mission to accelerate treatment and cures around quality of life issues," said Tim McGraw, Grammy Award-winning country music star and Honorary Chairman of the Tug McGraw Foundation.

The Partnership for Military Medicine Symposium, to be held at the Hilton Washington on Friday, November 6, 2009, will highlight how discoveries in military medicine improve healthcare for service members and civilians. The symposium will feature leaders from military and civilian medicine who will address the following topics: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience Research; Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Response; and Infectious Diseases. Faith Hill will offer the keynote address at the luncheon.

"Our military men and women have sacrificed so much for our country, as have all those who have ever served our nation," said Faith Hill, Grammy Award-winning performer. "It's my honor to be involved with Country United and to take part in recognizing the tireless efforts of the medical community to advance care for our nation's warriors and citizens."

The Country United Gala, to be held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on Saturday, November 7, 2009, will celebrate the achievements of researchers, clinicians, and others who work to advance medical care for and improve quality of life of our wounded warriors and citizens. The Gala will be emceed by Emmy Award-winning sports commentator Bob Costas and will feature a special performance by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill & Friends.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine is a private, not-for-profit organization authorized by Congress to support military medical research and education at USU and throughout the armed forces. Country United is an extension of HJF's ongoing efforts to advance military medicine. (www.hjf.org)

The Tug McGraw Foundation was established in 2003 to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors, and in 2009 expanded programs to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. TMF collaborates and partners with other organizations to accelerate new treatments and cures while improving quality of life in areas of physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of those debilitating conditions. (www.tugmcgraw.org)