UK HealthCare

Event Promotes Dialogue on the Seen and Unseen Wounds of War

of

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 14, 2016) — As part of its annual symposium in Lexington later this month, the National Neurotrauma Society will host a dramatic presentation called “Theater of War” to promote dialogue about the seen and unseen wounds of war, focusing on the impact of combat-related stress upon service members and their families.

“Theater of War” is an innovative public health project that uses dramatic readings from Sophocles’ Ajax as a catalyst for an open discussion about the challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families and caregivers.

The scenes are performed by Brendan Griffin and Marjolaine Goldsmith. A panel of military veterans, active duty soldiers and family members follow with remarks about the impact of war as an opening to a facilitated town hall discussion.

The performance is 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29 at the Lexington Convention Center. Tickets are free and may be reserved through EventBrite.

“Ajax depicts the psychological and physical wounds inflicted upon warriors by war,” said Diane Snow, an Endowed Chair and Professor at the University of Kentucky’s Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) and current president of the National Neurotrauma Society. “By presenting selected scenes from Ajax, we hope to de-stigmatize psychological injury, increase awareness of post-deployment psychological health issues, disseminate information regarding available resources, and foster greater family, community, and troop resilience.”

The panelists are: Col. Dr. Dallas Hack, U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command; Dr. Saad Mullah, Naval Medical Research Center; Young Yauger, Ph.D., Uniformed Services University and Snow.

Brendan Griffin has most recently been seen on CBS in “Person of Interest,” “Blue Bloods,” and in Bruce Norris’ “Clybourne Park.” His film and TV credits include Generation Kill (HBO), The Nanny Diaries, The Good Wife (CBS), Law & Order: CI and Law & Order: SVU (NBC) as well as several soap operas.

Marjolaine Goldsmith is a graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in Classical Civilization. She has recently been seen in “The Three Musketeers” and “Henry IV, Part 1” at The Vineyard Playhouse, and in films such as If, Compromise, My First Boyfriend, Dress, and After Words.

The National Neurotrauma Society  provides opportunities for scientists to ultimately influence the care and cure of neurotrauma. Its 2016 symposium will be held June 26-29th in Lexington to exchange ideas and information related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI).

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue Media Contact:  Laura Dawahare, Laura.Dawahare@uky.edu, (859) 257-5307