UMass Lowell and Home Base Collaborate to Support Veterans' Health and Well-Being

11/20/2024

Home Base, a National Center of Excellence dedicated to providing lifesaving clinical care for the invisible wounds of war, has announced a partnership with UMass Lowell as its next location to expand its regional footprint. This new site, situated within the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), will offer critical resources to veterans and military families across northern and western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.

This collaboration — which will also include LINC partner Mass General Brigham — aims to expand access to essential services, address the unique needs of veterans and military families across the region, and contribute to ongoing efforts to improve care for those impacted by traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and other unseen injuries.

"UMass Lowell is deeply committed to supporting our veterans and advancing research that addresses their unique challenges,” UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. “Partnering with Home Base allows us to take our strengths in many areas such as psychology, physical therapy and kinesiology, nutrition, medical sensors/devices, and virtual and augmented reality, and apply them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our nation."

Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base, also praised the partnership.

“Home Base is broadening our mission to heal the invisible wounds of our Nation’s Heroes by addressing the wider range of challenges they face from their service, including blast injury, trauma, and a range of associated risks,” said Hammond. “Our new HealthSpan approach is designed to empower Veterans to lead healthy, productive lives, free from brain injury, mental health struggles, Pain, and chronic health issues and injuries. We are excited to collaborate with UMass Lowell and deeply value their expertise and resources, which will help us continue providing best-in-class care to the Veterans we serve.”

Hammond and Chen met Nov. 20 to sign a Memorandum of Agreement, formalizing the partnership.

The UMass Lowell site will offer both in-person and telehealth services, expanding Home Base’s reach to underserved areas. It will be located near the university’s ROTC program and HEROES (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers), a collaborative center with U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) that focuses on advanced research to support military personnel. This strategic location will create a collaborative environment supporting future innovations in veterans' health and national security.

The partnership will also scale up its efforts by engaging with Mass General Brigham, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) / BioFabUSA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other leading organizations.

"This collaboration exemplifies how UMass Lowell and the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor can drive groundbreaking research and deliver critical care to our veterans,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “The work happening at UMass Lowell will not only improve lives but also strengthen Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences."

Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education, and research – all at no cost to them – regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location. Founded by the Boston Red Sox organization and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2009, Home Base operates the first and largest private sector clinic in the United States out of Massachusetts, with locations in Florida, Arizona and soon expanding to Houston. Home Base has provided lifesaving care and support to over 40,000 Veterans and their Family across all 50 states, five territories and 13 countries and trained more than 85,000 clinicians nationwide.

Officials Praise Partnership

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan: “Our veterans deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care, and this collaboration between Home Base and UMass Lowell marks a significant step forward in supporting our local heroes. This partnership is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions, and I am proud to see it launch in the heart of my district. Together, Home Base and UMass Lowell will ensure that veterans and their families can access essential services close to home, reinforcing Massachusetts as a national leader in veteran care.”

Lowell City Manager Tom Golden: “This partnership brings together two exceptional institutions committed to serving our veterans and advancing groundbreaking research. By establishing a Home Base site here, UMass Lowell and LINC are reinforcing Lowell’s role as a center for innovation and community impact. This initiative will provide crucial resources to our veterans and military families while enhancing Lowell’s position as a city dedicated to supporting those who have served.”

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey: “The brave service members and veterans who have served our country deserve to get the groundbreaking, holistic care that Home Base provides. The collaboration between Home Base and UMass Lowell will provide critical services to veterans, service members, and their families to address both physical and mental health needs. This partnership represents a powerful commitment to those who have committed to serve us, and I am grateful to see Massachusetts leading the way with innovative and compassionate care.”

For more information on Home Base's programs or the UMass Lowell partnership, please visit Home Base or UMass Lowell.

Media Contacts:
Emily_GowdeyBackus@uml.edu, director of media relations
Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu, assistant director of media relations