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The National Intrepid Center of Excellence

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

We are 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've established a reputation for excellence in TBI and brain health clinical care, research, and education.

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

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Article Around MHS
Mar 4, 2024

Walter Reed Salutes Capt. Carlos Williams’ Leadership During Black History Month

Carlos William graduated with honors from Albany State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry before earning his medical degree from the Morehouse School of Medicine. He later earned graduate degrees in public health and business administration from Johns Hopkins University.

When you meet U.S. Navy Capt. Carlos Williams, director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, you’ll likely notice that he embodies the Navy’s core values of initiative, accountability, integrity and toughness.

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Feb 15, 2024

From Patients to Students: How the Intrepid Spirit Center in Fort Belvoir is Transforming Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Treatments

From Patients to Students: How the Intrepid Spirit Center in Fort Belvoir is Transforming Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Treatments

The National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is the headquarters of the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health, which consists of 10 Intrepid Spirit Centers located at military bases throughout the U.S., in addition to two TBI clinics in Alaska and Germany.

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 ...

Last Updated: July 08, 2024
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