November 3, 2010

VA HSR&D Investigator Jill Bormann Recognized at the 2010 Planetree Annual Meeting

Jill Bormann, Ph.D., R.N., C.S., of the VA San Diego Healthcare System, received a Spirit of Planetree Program Award for "Best Complementary Therapy" represented by the Mantram Repetition for Relaxation program for Veterans with PTSD.

Dr. Bormann conducts research on integrative therapies for Veterans with PTSD, and recently completed the study, "Efficacy of Mantram Repetition on PTSD Symptoms in Veterans." This HSR&D funded study explored the effectiveness of an intervention that incorporates repeating a mantram—a word or phrase with spiritual associations—to help manage PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, and to improve spiritual-well being and quality of life in combat Veterans with PTSD. She also has published results of this study in the Journal of Holistic Nursing and the Journal for Healthcare Quality.

Planetree, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978, provides education and information to facilitate efforts to create patient-centered care. The Spirit of Planetree Awards were created to promote patient-centered care by recognizing individuals that personalize and demystify the healthcare experience.