Second, improved New Horizons group to begin April 5 Published April 3, 2012 By Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- The second 48th Medical Group New Horizons class is scheduled to begin April 5, 2012, and will offer improved counseling for the personal well-being and long-term healing of wounded Airmen. New Horizons was launched as a 48th MDG Air Force Wounded Warrior Group pilot program, and nine Airmen from RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall attended the 10-week program from Oct. 25 through Dec. 30, 2011. The first group met weekly. The new group will meet twice a week for five weeks, and will be held inside the clinic, so that providers can take a therapeutic approach, if needed. All members who attended the first program were wounded or received traumatic brain injuries in combat or from a hostile force, and suffered post-traumatic stress or post-traumatic stress disorder. The 48th MDG incorporated feedback from their test group and will continue to improve the program for future wounded warriors, said Sharron O'Garro, 48th MDG case manager and organizer of the evolving program. An array of speakers and subject-matter experts are scheduled to speak to the wounded warriors. Some topics covered will be emotional regulation, anger, sleep hygiene, relationships, community readiness, fundamentals of change and positive thinking, PTSD, and mental health management. The wounded warriors are also scheduled for a teleconference with the Randolph Air Force Base, Texas,-based Wounded Warrior Program. "Our main focus is on the wounded warriors," said O'Garro. "We're here to educate them, help them heal and make sure they receive professional support and care from the time they're injured or identified as a wounded warrior, through separation, retirement and the rest of their lives." Once identified as a wounded warrior, Airmen are assigned an individual advocate at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB and personalized services and counseling through the nearest Airman and Family Readiness Center. According to the AFW2 Public Affairs office, there's no difference in care provided for active-duty, Guard or Reserve Airmen. "We will expedite the medical evaluation process if a wounded warrior chooses to separate from active duty," states the AFW2 website. "Strong emphasis is placed on ensuring wounded Airmen receive professional, individualized guidance and support to help them successfully navigate their way through the complex process of transitioning out of the Air Force and returning to civilian life." For more information on the program or for those who feel they may be a wounded warrior, call Sharron O'Garro at 226-8175 or Capt. Robert Atisme at 226-8603. Note from Sharron O'Garro On behalf of the Air force Wounded Warriors and myself, we would like to give an honorable mention and thank you to those that gave and are continuing to give their support for the 'New Horizons' Program. I would also like to give a special thanks to those that supported the program by allowing the providers and speakers to participate in this program. Their continued support is an important and integral part of the foundation that keeps this program going. Col. Joseph Legan, 48th MDG commander Col. Lorna Westfall, 48th MDG chief of medical staff Col. Rebecca Brown, 48th Medical Operations Squadron commander Lt. Col. Erik Koda, 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander Maj. Darrick Cunningham, 48th AMDS health and wellness center flight commander Maj. Judith Baillie, 48th MDG health care integrater Maj. Steven Fleming, 48th MDG utilization manager Maj. Michael Detweiler, 48th MDOS mental health flight commander Capt. Robert Atisme, 48th MDOS resiliency element officer in charge and program liaison Capt. Laura Nichols, 48th MDOS licensed clinical social worker Dr. Sharon Powell, 48th MDOS psychologist Dr. Paul West, 48th MDOS psychiatrist Mark Killin, 48th MDOS licensed clinical social worker Other program contributors: Lt. Col. Susan Black, AFW2 program manager Scott Hand, AFW2 benefits and entitlements coordinator Brian Churchill, AFW2 program operations Jane Mickenheim, 48th Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant Pat Cullen, U.S. Veterans Affairs representative Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace, 100th ARW Public Affairs