Symposium focuses on successfully integrating Veterans into the workforce

by Alicia Rohan
Many veterans have “unseen” injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, moral injury and psychological injury like post-traumatic stress disorder that can inhibit their home lives and professional careers.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety is hosting the fifth annual Veterans Disability Symposium to address “The Invisible Wounds of War” on Friday, Nov. 3, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Foundation.
“Part of our outreach is to help underserved populations,” said Allyn Holladay, deputy director of the UAB DSC. “Veterans are a growing population with special needs. Through this symposium, we are able to provide information and research outcomes to social workers and medical professionals to help veterans find needed support and return to work.”
The symposium will focus on causes, treatments and implications for veterans at home and work. Initiatives to help veterans successfully return to work will be available.
Researchers, medical professionals, social workers and Veterans Affairs officials from across the country will come together to make up panels focused on TBI, moral injury, aid and attendance, and reintegration.

Register online at www.uab.edu/dsc. The event is free for veterans, but a limited number of scholarships will be offered. The event is $55 for the general public and $20 for students. Partners in the symposium include Salem VA Medical Center, the University of Alabama School of Social Work and Friedman Law Firm. Continuing education credit will be given.
The Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety is the only National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center in our region and is a critical resource to business, labor and industry in preventing work-related injury and illness. Housed within UAB and Auburn University, it offers academic programs in industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, and occupational safety and ergonomics.