Heroes Wellness Collective

Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Continue to Serve Today, we pause to honor all who have worn the uniform—those who stood ready in defense of others, and those who continue to serve long after coming home. At Operation Recovery, we believe service doesn’t end with the mission; it evolves. Through the Heroes Wellness Collective, we’re building a space where veterans, first responders, and their families can find support, purpose, and connection. Your courage inspires the work we do every day. Your stories remind us why community matters. Your well-being remains our mission. If you’re a veteran, or someone who loves one, join us at heroeswellnesscollective.org and be part of the movement to heal and grow together. #VeteransDay #OperationRecovery #HeroesWellnessCollective #NeverForgotten #StrongerTogether

We love seeing stories like this brought to life on stage!🎭 Pioneering psychiatrist Dr. Donna Ames, who recently spoke at the Next Mission Summit, just let us know about Parallel Process, and we wanted to share it with you. It's a powerful new play exploring moral injury, reconciliation, and the lifelong ripple effects of war - through the story of two Vietnam veteran brothers. 📍 The Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles 🗓️ Oct 17 – Nov 2 (select dates) 🎟️ parallelprocesstheplay.com | @parallelprocesstheplay Tickets are going fast - don't miss out.“Parallel Process is a powerful story of how wars endure long after the final shots are fired.” — Col. Gregory Daddis (Ret.) and Combat Veteran #ParallelProcess #VeteranStories #HealingThroughArt #MoralInjury #LosAngelesTheatre #NextMissionSummit

Director of the UCLA/VA Veteran Family Wellbeing Center, Tom has supported military and veteran families since 2008. He pioneered telehealth delivery of the FOCUS program, helping thousands of veterans and families build resilience through skill-based care. He will present on family wellbeing and resilience. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Veteran Family Wellbeing Center: vfwc.ucla.edu

Marine Corps veteran and psychiatrist at UCLA/VA Greater LA, Dr. Dunn is a national leader in interventional psychiatry and psychedelic research. He will co-present “Research to Promote Warrior Brain Health.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com UCLA Health Profile: uclahealth.org/providers/walt… @UCLAHealth

Former Navy SEAL and Executive Director of the Warrior Heritage Foundation, Justin leads veteran programming and advocacy at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. He will present “Changing the Veteran Landscape.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn More: warriorheritagefoundation.org

Secretary of CalVet and U.S. Navy veteran, Lindsey is the first woman to lead California’s Department of Veterans Affairs since 1975. She will join the panel “State of the State.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com CalVet Website: calvet.ca.gov

Head of Public Sector at Ipsos and former VA Chief Experience Officer, John is a Marine veteran and global leader in veteran reintegration. He will join the panel “State of the State.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn More: ipsos.com/en

Army Ranger veteran and founder of Gulf Coast Valor, Mike provides decompression retreats for active-duty SOF. He will join the “Healing Through Experience” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn More about Gulf Coast Valor: gulfcoastvalor.org

Navy veteran and founder of Warriors to Wilderness, Jason empowers veterans through outdoor therapy and hunting retreats. He will join the “Healing Through Experience” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

Professor in Residence Emerita at UCLA and longtime VA psychiatrist, Dr. Ames has published over 100 works on serious mental illness and moral injury. She will join a Fireside Chat. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System: va.gov/greater-los-an…

Retired law enforcement officer and founder of On Mission Motorsports, Jeff utilizes motorsports to promote healing and camaraderie among first responders and veterans. He will join the “Healing Through Experience” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn More about On Mission Motorsports: onmissionmotorsports.org

A combat veteran, clinician, and Pat Tillman Scholar, Tim is the co-founder of The Wounded Healer Project. He will speak on “The Missing Piece: Moral Injury and Justice-Involved Veterans” and join the “Complementary & Alternative Therapies” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

Psychologist and Director at Heroic Hearts Project, Ken advances psychedelic-assisted healing for veterans. He will present “Psychedelic Healing for Veterans” and join the “Complementary & Alternative Therapies” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

Professor at UCSF and psychologist at the San Francisco VA, Dr. Maguen has authored 200+ publications on PTSD, moral injury, and suicide. She will present “Moral Injury in Veterans: Definition, Measurement and Treatment.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn more about Shira and her impact: profiles.ucsf.edu/shira.maguen Links to moral injury measure: ptsd.va.gov/professional/a… ptsd.va.gov/professional/a… Links to Veteran stories on moral injury: ptsd.va.gov/apps/aboutface… Moral injury at NCPTSD: ptsd.va.gov/professional/t…

Assistant Professor of Neurology at UCLA, Dr. Bickart specializes in sports and behavioral neurology through UCLA BrainSPORT and Operation Mend. His clinical care and research focus on brain circuit mapping to support recovery from chronic neurological symptoms. He also co-hosts The Better Brain Podcast. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com YouTube: @TheBetterBrainPodcast Instagram: @betterbrainpod

Professor at USC and retired Army colonel, Dr. Castro is a leading researcher on military culture, PTSD, and suicide prevention. He will present “The Warrior’s Shadow: Moral Injury and Suicide.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

A 21-year veteran of the Air Force and founder of the Moral Compass Federation, Travis advocates for awareness of moral injury and support for veterans. He will deliver Closing Remarks on Day 1 and Welcome Remarks on Day 2. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

Psychologist and Director at Heroic Hearts Project, Ken advances psychedelic-assisted healing for veterans. He will present “Psychedelic Healing for Veterans” and join the “Complementary & Alternative Therapies” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com

A combat veteran, clinician, and Pat Tillman Scholar, Tim is the co-founder of The Wounded Healer Project. He will speak on “The Missing Piece: Moral Injury and Justice-Involved Veterans” and join the “Complementary & Alternative Therapies” panel. 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Learn More: woundedhealerproject.org

Army veteran and Director at the George W. Bush Institute, Jason has advised senior military leaders and U.S. presidents. He will present “Creative Collaboration: Check Out Check-In as a Model.” 📅 October 14–15 | UCLA Covel Commons 🔗 Learn more: nextmissionsummit.org 🎟 Register: nextmissionsummit-UCLA.eventbrite.com Recent Publications Unity in the trenches | George W. Bush Presidential Center: bushcenter.org/catalyst/profi… Truth, trust, and the art of conversation | George W. Bush Presidential Center: bushcenter.org/catalyst/the-s… Escape ‘Fictional Fear’ | George W. Bush Presidential Center : bushcenter.org/publications/g… To my country with love: militarytimes.com/opinion/2023/0…