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The National Intrepid Center of Excellence

Welcome to the new National Intrepid Center of Excellence website, the headquarters of the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health (Defense Intrepid Network).

The NICoE is dedicated to improving the lives of patients and families affected by traumatic brain injury through collaborative efforts with patients, families, referring providers, and researchers. Since opening on June 24, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland, we have established a reputation for excellence in TBI and brain health clinical care, research, and education.

The NICoE and the Defense Intrepid Network are central to TBI care and innovation across the Military Health System, which ensures patients have:

  • A point of entry to the care system
  • A clear path through diagnosis, treatment, and reintegration
  • Consistent access to high quality TBI treatment, research, and education

Learn more about the NICoE.

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Article
Aug 16, 2023

Walter Reed’s NICoE Scientists to Present New TBI Battlefield Biomarkers Research During 2023 MHSRS

Dr. Ping-Hong Yeh all smiles at Walter Reed in preparation for presenting new biomarkers TBI research at 2023 MHSRS. Photo Credit: DOD Ricardo Reyesguevarra

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is pleased to announce that researchers from the National Intrepid Center of Excellence will present a groundbreaking study on diagnosing traumatic brain injuries during the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium.

Report
Jul 7, 2023

2022 Defense Intrepid Network Annual Report

.PDF | 11.07 MB

The NICoE 2022 Annual Report showcases the collective achievements and impact of the Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health. This was a phenomenal year of growth in traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinical care, research, and education. In the report, you will learn about the expanded clinical offerings, advanced understanding of TBI through ...

Article
Mar 1, 2023

Defense Intrepid Network Supports Service Members Across the Continuum

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Anthony Mannino plays guitar as he receives music therapy as part of his traumatic brain injury treatment and recovery. Kalli Jermyn, a music therapy intern, observes, instructs, and works with Mannino. The therapy is conducted at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. (Department of Defense photo by Marvin Lynchard)

The Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health’s Continuum of Caring, Healing, and Thriving initiative, headquartered at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Maryland, is a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to address the full continuum of traumatic brain injury, behavior health, and brain health.

Video
Mar 23, 2022

Art Therapy at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence

Creative Art Therapy

Adrienne Stamper, an art therapist at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), provides a window into the process of healing through art therapy. Art therapists are master’s-level behavioral health professionals who are trained to use art as a vehicle for non-verbal thoughts, emotions, and experiences. At NICoE, the service members have ...

Video
Mar 16, 2022

Dance and Movement Therapy at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence

Dance and Movement Therapy

Liz Freeman, lead dance/movement therapist; and Kristine Keliiki, dance/movement therapist at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), discuss the many ways they use dance movement therapy (DMT) to help patients at the NICoE. DMT is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical parts of a person ...

Video
Mar 16, 2022

Music Therapy at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence

Music Therapy

Nate McLaughlan is a board-certified music therapist at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). In this video, he discusses the many way music therapy can help patients at the NICoE. He explains that music therapy uses music-based experiences to address identified symptoms and goals with a music therapist who is trained to use elements of ...

Video
Apr 1, 2021

MHS Minute March 2021

Image of MHS Minute Carousel

March marked Brain Injury Awareness month in the military. We're spotlighting efforts across the MHS to combat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and better understand how TBI impacts our Service members. For more information about the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), go to walterreed.tricare.mil/NICoE For more info on the Traumatic Brain ...

Last Updated: July 11, 2023
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