麻豆原创 Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES, has been named a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel‘s 2026 Central Floridian of the Year award, an honor recognizing those whose leadership and community impact shape the region.

The award recognizes Beidel 鈥� representing the entire 麻豆原创 RESTORES team 鈥� for building a national model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. Since its founding in 2011, 麻豆原创 RESTORES has treated more than 2,150 individuals, including nearly 600 military members and more than 1,350 first responders. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淲hen we founded 麻豆原创 RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,鈥� Beidel says. 鈥淥ver the past 15 years, that mission has grown into something larger: a comprehensive system of treatment, training, and crisis response that meets people wherever they are in their journey toward healing. This recognition reflects the clinicians, researchers and staff who have made that vision a reality.鈥�

The center鈥檚 intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards 鈥� 76% of participants no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment, and the program boasts a relapse rate of less than 1%.

Several states are now establishing similar programs, sending clinicians and researchers to Orlando to study 麻豆原创 RESTORES’ approach.

What began as a research-focused treatment program has expanded into a comprehensive ecosystem of care encompassing clinical treatment, peer support training, crisis response and family resources.

, 麻豆原创 RESTORES clinicians:

• Delivered more than 2,100 hours of evidence-based care;
• Trained more than 450 first responders through the center’s REACT peer support program;
• Unveiled a first-of-its-kind mobile Resiliency Command Center to deliver psychological support at disaster scenes; and,
• Integrated the 麻豆原创 RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project, extending capacity-building and behavioral health navigation services to agencies across Florida’s Panhandle.

麻豆原创 RESTORES has also responded to large-scale tragedies including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the 2021 Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, FL, providing on-site mental health support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淒r. Beidel鈥檚 work reflects the very best of 麻豆原创. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭hrough 麻豆原创 RESTORES, she has redefined how PTSD is treated, turning breakthrough ideas into real solutions for those who need them most. Because of her work, first responders, trauma survivors, and so many others across Central Florida, and beyond, are finding a path forward.鈥�

The Central Floridian of the Year finalist recognition follows Beidel’s selection as the Big 12 Conference’s 2025 Faculty of the Year for 麻豆原创. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.

鈥淭his funding will allow us to develop new tools to further improve the treatment outcome for PTSD,鈥� said Deborah Beidel, director of the clinic. 鈥淭o provide the highest level of care 鈥� based on the most rigorous science 鈥� is not just our goal, but our commitment to everyone whose life has been changed by trauma.鈥�

More than 750 service members, veterans, first responders, survivors of sexual assault and mass shootings have been treated at the clinic. The clinic uses virtual reality to deliver treatment through a technique known as exposure therapy to simulate a patient鈥檚 traumatic experience and help reduce the anxiety a patient associates with the experience.

After PTSD treatments, 66 percent of military personnel and 76 percent of civilians no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for continuing treatment, a success rate that is higher than more conventional therapies.

The program has been awarded more than $10 million in grants the past few years.

The clinic was established in 2010 after the Department of Defense awarded 麻豆原创 a $5 million grant. The program has been awarded more than $10 million in grants the past few years.

鈥淭hose who put their lives on the line to protect our country expect their government to be as resilient in the search for new and innovative ways to help them in their recovery,鈥� says U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, who recognized the U.S. Army for making 鈥渕eaningful investments in our community that will allow service members, veterans and first responders to receive cutting-edge treatment that will assist them in their road to recovery.鈥�

The clinic鈥檚 PTSD treatment includes a three-week program combining virtual reality and group therapy sessions on guilt, anger, resocialization, insomnia and other components. The virtual-reality sessions include videos of traumatic situations such as war along with sounds of gunfire and explosions and smells of smoke and gunfire. The idea is that exposing patients to the traumatic experiences will help reduce their stress about them.

Beidel received her Ph.D. and M.S. in psychology and M.Ed. in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh and her B.A. in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She has been with 麻豆原创 since 2007.

PTSD is triggered by a terrifying event 鈥� either experiencing or witnessing it. That event could be living through a natural disaster, serving in combat, surviving a serious accident or losing a loved one. Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may temporarily have difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time.

Symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but may not appear until years later.聽These symptoms can include “flashbacks” of the event, avoidance of dealing with feelings related to the trauma, negative thoughts and mood, and changes in physical or emotional reactions when you think about the event.

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of your experience.

Taking the first steps to treatment

Treatment for PTSD begins with identifying the problem and talking openly with your doctor. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, or if you feel you’re having trouble getting your life back under control. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from worsening.

Treatment options

Everyone is different, and PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. It is important for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental health provider who is experienced with the condition. Some people with PTSD may need to try different treatments to find what works for their symptoms. If someone with PTSD is going through an ongoing trauma, such as being in an abusive relationship, both problems need to be addressed. Other ongoing problems can include panic disorder, depression, substance abuse and feeling suicidal.

The most studied type of medication for treating PTSD is antidepressants, which may help control symptoms such as sadness, worry, anger and feeling numb inside. Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose.

Talk therapies teach people helpful ways to react to frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms. One helpful form of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which can include:

Exposure therapy 鈥� This helps people face and control their fear by gradually and safely exposing them to the trauma they experienced.

Cognitive restructuring 鈥� This helps people make sense of the bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently than it actually happened. They may feel guilt or shame about something that is not their fault.

Recovery

Recovery from PTSD is a gradual, ongoing process. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, nor do the memories of the trauma ever disappear completely. This can make life seem difficult at times. But there are many steps you can take to cope with the residual symptoms and reduce your anxiety and fear.

Overcoming your sense of helplessness is key to overcoming PTSD. Trauma leaves you feeling powerless and vulnerable. It’s important to remind yourself that you have strengths and coping skills that can get you through tough times.

One of the best ways to reclaim your sense of power is by helping others: volunteer your time, give blood, reach out to a friend in need or donate to your favorite charity. Taking positive action directly challenges the sense of helplessness that is a common symptom of PTSD.

Resources

The offers a to help those in need find support in their communities. The National Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential help for substance use and mental health disorders, including PTSD.

Helplines

If you or your loved one aren’t quite ready to seek in-person help, there are national helplines that can ease you into your path of recovery.

Here are a few helplines available for 24-hour, confidential support:

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Support for all mental and substance use disorders, as well as prevention and treatment advice

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-237-TALK (8255)

Prevention hotline available for anyone contemplating suicide or undergoing extreme emotional distress

Our Health Tips on recovery topics this September are in support of National Recovery Month. Learn more about , including recovery support.

Often these health issues affect their mental state rather than the physical, and more and more veterans are seeking treatment as the awareness around mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder is on the rise in the United States. Clinical psychologist Brittany Howell 鈥�10聽is one of many healthcare providers empowering veterans to work through and combat these issues at the James A. Haley Veterans鈥� Hospital in Tampa.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be able to have services for those who have served our country 鈥� I think it鈥檚 the least we can do.鈥�

While studying psychology at the university, Howell developed a passion for working with veterans during her first internship experience at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center for Drug-Free Living, where she was able to observe, participate in and lead therapy treatments for veterans.

Now her day-to-day operations include assessing聽difficulties in and providing evidence-based treatments to patients in both individual and group settings. Although she often has to juggle many responsibilities, she says she loves that her position keeps her on her toes and allows her give back to those who have given so much to the nation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be able to have services for those who have served our country 鈥� I think it鈥檚 the least we can do,鈥� Howell says.

Here she shares more about what it鈥檚 like to care for and treat veterans:

What鈥檚 the most challenging part of your job?

I think the most challenging part is something I also really like: It鈥檚 a fast-paced and challenging environment in general. We see a lot of patients,聽do a lot of outreach and are always advocating for聽the use of treatments that we know are effective. Maybe [the most challenging part is]聽shifting the culture a little bit to really focus on active, evidence-based treatments, the ones that have been scientifically studied and proven to be effective, as opposed to just supportive, talk therapy.

鈥淚 think the most challenging part is something I also really like: It鈥檚 a fast-paced and challenging environment in general.鈥�

What are some examples of the treatments you offer at the VA?

The evidence-based treatments we offer are usually done with a certified or trained therapist weekly for about three to four months or so. However, it depends on the patient鈥檚 needs; we create a personalized plan for each veteran.

One of the evidence-based treatments we offer for PTSD is a cognitive treatment, where veterans are learning different skills to identify the way that they鈥檙e thinking, and how that鈥檚 affecting the way that they鈥檙e feeling, as well.

Then they learn skills to actually challenge the thoughts that may not be helpful to them. So we work through worksheets, concrete examples throughout the session, and they carry those skills into their daily life after treatment. Then they take over and become their own therapist at that point.

What are some of the misconceptions people have about seeking treatment for PTSD and other mental health issues?

I think a lot of times people think by engaging in a treatment that is trauma focused that their symptoms are going to get worse.聽For example, another evidence-based treatment is an exposure- based treatment, where you actually process and give a narrative of the trauma in session with your therapist. You also do some exercises where you鈥檙e out in the community doing things that you used to avoid or are triggering for you.

鈥淭he truth is we know that avoidance really keeps the cycle of PTSD going.鈥�

The truth is we know that avoidance really keeps the cycle of PTSD going. So actually, approaching these things helps get us to a point where all of these symptoms and all of these聽triggering聽cues in the environment are not impacting our lives as much as they have before.

What are some issues that prevent veterans from getting help?

Many veterans live in rural communities and/or have physical limitations or transportation difficulties that may prohibit them from attending appointments regularly. The VA has put into place a complete telehealth program, where technology such as video conferencing can be used to target care and case management to improve access to care and overall health of veterans.

Currently, there are hundreds of community-based outpatient clinics, which are closer to veterans鈥� homes, where veterans can receive specialty services via telehealth to the main hospital or other facility. In addition, several services are being offered via provided equipment, such as webcams to veterans鈥� homes. This technology can be used to make diagnoses, manage care, perform checkups and actually provide certain types of treatment in various areas of health, including mental health, rehabilitation, nutrition, primary care and many more.

鈥淚f you think about the military and veterans鈥� culture they are often told to keep going and push through. So advocat[ing] for treatment … is very, very important.鈥�

One of the areas you specialize in is sexual trauma. What are some of the difficulties you encounter when treating this issue?

Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma, which includes聽any sexual activity someone is involved in against their will while in the military, can get free treatment at the VA.聽The military community is a pretty tight community. A lot of times you鈥檙e working with your perpetrator, or you are told to push through and 鈥渕an up,鈥� which decreases the number of MST incidences that are reported. I think we have come a long way as far as the stigma goes in this population, but we must continue to work on this.

For a lot of people who come to the VA [with this issue,] this might be the first time that they鈥檙e talking about this.聽A level of comfort, understandably, might not be there in the beginning, so we have to keep working to make this a more comfortable thing to talk about and an accessible thing to get treatment for.

How do you think the stigmas around sexual trauma and mental health can be reduced?

The most important thing is education and awareness.

If you think about the military and veterans鈥� culture they are often told to keep going and push through. So being able to advocate for treatment if it鈥檚 needed and educate society, educate veterans, really just everybody on the聽effects that mental-health difficulties can have on us, the effects of a combat zone, the effects that sexual trauma can have, is very, very important.

鈥淚f a family member feels a veteran needs help, they should encourage them to seek treatment and see what services are out there for them.鈥�

Making sure that we have professionals that are trained in these specific treatments and we have more people that are able to offer these services to veterans, I think that is very important聽as well.

What advice would you give to a family member of veterans who may be struggling?

We definitely encourage family involvement. If a family member wants to come and learn about what鈥檚 going on, or how PTSD or any other mental health difficulty has affected the veteran, they are more than welcome to do that.

If a family member feels a veteran needs help, they should encourage them to seek treatment and see what services are out there for them. There are different services that many people don鈥檛 know about.

We also have marriage and family services and other providers that are able to provide services as a couple or a family to the veteran. We know that PTSD along with other mental health difficulties can affect relationships, families, marriages, so being able to incorporate any family involvement is important.

鈥淭hese are people who served our country so being able to work with them,聽our country鈥檚 brave heroes, is just amazing.鈥�

What do you love about what you do?

I truly love just working with veterans. I developed that passion years ago at 麻豆原创聽with my first group treatment聽at the Center for Drug-Free Living. Working for the VA can be challenging, but so rewarding. When you work with such a large healthcare system,聽it really allows providers to do research and collaborate with so many other people, so we can provide the safest and most effective treatment for our veterans. These are people who served our country so being able to work with them,聽our country鈥檚 brave heroes, is just amazing.

Also, I love聽being able to wear so many hats. I can act as a clinician, I can educate and I can do research. I can also supervise the next generation of psychologists and mental-health providers coming up and really work together so [we] can provide the best education for our providers and the best education and services for veterans and their families.

If you鈥檙e a veteran and need help or someone to talk to, the VA鈥檚 Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential service that is available 24/7. You can call or text the hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

For more information about the VA and its services visit

The U.S. Army is funding RESTORES to establish programs at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Georgia, Naval Medical Hospital Portsmouth in Virginia and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

鈥淭his is a wonderful opportunity to take this program to active-duty military personnel and treat them on their own bases, right where they are,鈥� said Deborah Beidel, a 麻豆原创 Pegasus Professor of psychology and medical education, who leads the clinic. 鈥淥ur early research results show our program to be more effective than traditional PTSD treatment, and this gives us the opportunity to get some additional data to demonstrate it on a larger scale, while providing treatment in a convenient way for our patients.鈥�

Beidel and her team developed a compressed three-week program that combines virtual reality and exposure therapy with group treatments for anger, depression, guilt, and social isolation. The team established the RESTORES clinic in 2011 on the main 麻豆原创 campus and has been helping veterans and their families. The clinic has treated 300 veterans and active-duty personnel, first responders from 20 states and Pulse survivors. Early research results demonstrate that the intensive treatment has significantly improved symptoms in most patients, with about two-thirds no longer showing the clinical criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, Beidel said.

The grant allows Beidel and her team to establish and run the program at the three military facilities. The overall objective of this study is to determine if the compressed program, can be used as an effective alternative treatment for PTSD and to compare its impact on social, familial, and occupational impairment that often result from PTSD treatment.

PTSD affects more than the individual; it affects families and communities. 麻豆原创鈥檚 program is the only treatment for PTSD that directly targets these additional areas of functioning.聽 Other programs are specifically directed at decreasing PTSD symptoms.

鈥淥ur program is more comprehensive 鈥� not only do we target symptoms, but we also directly target impairment in these important areas of everyday life,鈥� Beidel said.

Three hundred active-military personnel 鈥� 100 at each site 鈥� will be recruited for the study. The candidates will need to meet several criteria including diagnosis of PTSD or other trauma.

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the program when delivered in an intensive outpatient format compared to a treatment called prolonged exposure, which consists solely of exposure therapy without the virtual reality component, and which is delivered in either a compressed daily or standard weekly fashion.

The recognition by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International, means the center demonstrates the highest industry standards and makes it eligible to other research funding. Early research of the work being done with veterans and horses has already shown success in helping those with PTSD and movement disorders.

The center, the first of its type in the nation to be built from the ground up and the only one in the nation led with help from a medical school, has state-of-the-art facilities that include a covered ring, air-conditioned meeting rooms, and special grooming and tacking areas at Chisholm Park. The facility allows staff to provide therapy to veterans and others year-round.

Dr. Manette Monroe, a lifelong horsewoman and associate professor of pathology at 麻豆原创鈥檚 medical school, leads the research efforts on therapeutic benefits for veterans, as well as for autistic children, patients with movement disorders and physical challenges.

The center has helped more than 85 veterans since the partnership with 麻豆原创 began in 2012. They include veterans such as Kelly Smith of 聽St. Cloud, who was injured while serving in the Middle East. At first, she was skeptical about what horses could do for her.

鈥淲hen I lost my arm (in combat) I had a pretty tough time of it,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t was not so much the loss of my arm, but it was more so having to get out so early in my career, adjusting to life back from tour and adjusting to my family and kids. I had a lot of attitude and anger-management problems.鈥�

For a video about Smith鈥檚 story click here. .

After two or three riding sessions, Smith said she and her family noticed a significant change in her mood.

鈥淢y anger just seemed to go away, without me even noticing it,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淢y husband and my kids made the comments about how much nicer I was to be around and how we could actually go in public and they didn鈥檛 have to worry about me getting into an argument or anything else.鈥�

The therapy sessions have given her hope for a positive future, she said.

Cindy Burke, director of University of New Hampshire鈥檚 therapeutic-riding program, was the lead inspector during the PATH accreditation process. The inspectors grade therapy centers based on their ability to meet industry standards for health and safety, administration, welfare of the horses and more.

鈥淚 have been to many centers across the country and many of them are pretty impressive, but I have never seen anything on the same level,鈥� Burke said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very progressive and it certainly sets the bar very high for me to find a center of this caliber elsewhere.鈥�

For Monroe, the accreditation is affirmation of the work being done at the center.

鈥淚t is an external validation for the work that has gone into developing this state-of-the-art center,鈥� Monroe said. 鈥淭he goal for this facility is to reach out and do just as much good as we can. That鈥檚 really the bottom line for this, making a difference in people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

Through virtual reality, patients see bombs detonate and the smell of smoke or gunfire fills their nostrils. It鈥檚 like being on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan, but instead patients are on 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus.

鈥淗ow do you get over a fear of dogs? You have to be around a dog,鈥� said Deborah Beidel, founder and director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES. That鈥檚 the mentality applied in the intensive outpatient format she and her staff use at the clinic.

Patients are exposed to this realistic, individualized virtual-reality therapy five days a week for three consecutive weeks 鈥� a format avoided in the past for its intensity and a stark contrast from what鈥檚 the norm in PTSD therapy. Combined with daily group-therapy sessions on anger management, depression, socialization and more, the results from the clinic under Beidel鈥檚 leadership show this format of therapy is highly effective.

Published recently in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, a paper authored by Beidel examined data of the first 100 patients of the 麻豆原创 RESTORES clinic. It found 66 percent of the patients no longer had PTSD after the three-week treatment, and six months later, only one patient had relapsed into a state of PTSD. Plus, only 2 percent of patients dropped out of therapy.

These results are promising and may indicate a revamp is needed when it comes to therapy for military-related PTSD. More common alternative-therapy forms for military members and veterans used through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs typically are delivered over months, often creating barriers in scheduling appointments. Plus, issues such as anger and guilt are not addressed, perhaps explaining why after treatment from the VA, more than 50 percent of patients still have a PTSD diagnosis and an average of 28 percent of patients drop out of therapy, according to literature cited in Beidel鈥檚 paper.

鈥淲e want to give people their lives back. The memory won鈥檛 go away, but it shouldn鈥檛 dictate every aspect of their life,鈥� said Beidel, who indicated ordinary things such as barbecues and fireworks often are triggers of PTSD because the smoky smell and sound are reminiscent of bombs.

The success of 麻豆原创 RESTORES recently led the clinic to being allocated $5.5 million in state and federal funds. That money will not only allow the clinic to continue treating patients, but also to expand its services.

鈥淣ow we want a clinic that鈥檒l allow us to treat anyone who suffers from trauma,鈥� Beidel said.

Next, the clinic will look to university and community partners who can help create a virtual-reality therapy program for first responders. Scenarios such as the sight, smell and sound of a burning car, for instance, could be created in a virtual-reality format to aid firefighters. Police, sheriff and fire departments have volunteered to help 麻豆原创 RESTORES develop realistic scenarios to aid their workforce.

鈥淚 feel like I have to do my part to get the message out there so people know what resources are available,鈥� said Brian Gent, district chief with Palm Bay Fire Rescue who raised more than $3,000 for RESTORES and has volunteered to help design the virtual-reality scenarios.

鈥淔irefighters often say that everything鈥檚 OK and carry the weight of the terrible things they鈥檝e seen,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ome end up needing help and we need to create a culture where they know that鈥檚 OK.鈥�

More firefighters and police die by suicide than by a fire or by the hands of a felon, Beidel said. That鈥檚 prompted a tremendous response from the first-responder community to get RESTORES鈥� treatments out further.

At least two more full-time clinicians will be hired, and a satellite clinic also may be established elsewhere in Florida to expand this therapy format and treat more people.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 treat everyone with PTSD at 麻豆原创. Part of our efforts is to educate more people on how to do this so it can expand,鈥� Beidel said.

麻豆原创 RESTORES has been offering its services for free, and in the future will look to different funding sources such as an endowment through the 麻豆原创 Foundation and billing insurance so the clinic doesn鈥檛 have to rely on government funds or research grants.

Beidel expects to be able to treat another 600 people in the next year with these additions, through one-on-one and group therapy sessions.

鈥淲ithout other people believing in us and what we can do, none of this [the success of RESTORES] would鈥檝e happened,鈥� she said.

Beidel, the 麻豆原创 Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor of Psychology and Medical Education, leads the 麻豆原创 RESTORES clinic which has treated more than 250 soldiers and first responders for PTSD using an innovative technique called 鈥渆xposure therapy.鈥�

The method incorporates virtual reality combined with group treatments for anger, depression, guilt, and social isolation using a unique three-week program. The intensive treatment has significantly improved symptoms in most patients, with about two-thirds no longer showing the clinical criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. Beidel said that a six-month follow-up showed no relapses.

鈥淭he work that we do here is vital to our community and we are so pleased with the results so far,鈥� said Beidel, adding that 麻豆原创 Restores has treated veterans from 20 states. 鈥淥ur active duty personnel and first responders can鈥檛 just leave their jobs for months to seek treatment at traditional once per week treatment programs, either. So in three weeks, we significantly reduce their symptoms, and they learn that their traumatic experience no longer dictates their life. . They can return to work much sooner, and with the tools to help them succeed.鈥�

The clinic鈥檚 work on PTSD was funded in 2011 with $5 million in grants from the Department of Defense. That money ran out last year, the clinic has been dependent on philanthropy to keep providing needed services.

One donation, $200,000 from 麻豆原创 Alumni James Rosengren, who also has pledged $1 million in total to an endowment to help fund RESTORES, is currently being used to offset clinic costs. 聽Beidel said another $25,000 donation from an anonymous foundation is helping treat 25 more veterans, active duty service personnel or first responders within the state of Florida.聽 All treatment is free of charge allowing the clinic to provide services to people who have nowhere else to find help.

But the clinic needs steady funding to continue its work, Beidel said, and so it doesn鈥檛 have to turn people away or set up long waiting lists.

This year, 麻豆原创 is hoping bipartisan legislation moves forward to help fund the clinic, which is helping so many in Central Florida and throughout the state suffering from PTSD, said Daniel Holsenbeck, senior vice president of University Relations and the director of governmental relations.

Democratic State Sen. Linda Stewart and Republican Rep. Mike Miller made a bipartisan appropriations request to help fund the clinic and university leaders are hopeful the legislature will approve the request.

The vision of 麻豆原创 RESTORES is to serve all of Florida鈥檚 citizens who suffer from PTSD as a result of traumatic events.聽 This includes not only veterans/active duty personnel and first responders, but also civilians who have been affected by traumatic events (such as the Pulse nightclub shooting), Beidel said.

Beidel鈥檚 ultimate goal is that there would be a mix of funds coming from individuals who have insurance coverage, as well as governmental and philanthropic sources.聽 聽Ideally, she鈥檇 like to set a $10 million endowment which could cover operating expenses in perpetuity but that is a long term goal and short term solutions are currently needed.

鈥淧TSD is a debilitating disorder that affects an individual鈥檚 ability to work and contribute to society. PTSD is treatable and the inability of state citizens to access effective care affect the individual, their family and also Florida鈥檚 economy,鈥� Beidel said. 鈥淥ur mantra is 麻豆原创 RESTORES 鈥� lives, families, communities.鈥�

After two tours in Iraq, he returned home not only with physical wounds but also severe PTSD. 聽His father, Jim Rosengren, 鈥�81, a disabled veteran himself who began his 23-year Army career as a field medic, recognized the signs.

鈥淭here were whole days he鈥檇 be outside in a sitting fetal position and he鈥檇 just rock back and forth,鈥� says Rosengren.

He wanted to help Josh, but also knew that his son was not alone. For millions of veterans, active duty personnel, and first-responders, their self-sacrifices and service to others can carry a heavy physical and emotional toll.

After hearing that 麻豆原创 had a PTSD clinic 鈥� 麻豆原创 RESTORES 鈥� that was achieving success, Rosengren, now CEO of a healthcare company that serves more than 3 million veterans through government contracts, wanted to see the data.聽 What he saw was a cutting edge trauma treatment program that uses customized virtual reality to allow veterans to re-experience the sights, sounds, and smells of war. The program produced results that were five times as great as that reported by VA hospitals.

鈥淲e have an intensive, three-week treatment program that we鈥檝e found to be highly effective,鈥� said Deborah Beidel, a 麻豆原创 Pegasus Professor of psychology who leads the 麻豆原创 RESTORES clinic. 鈥淎fter three weeks of treatment, 67 percent of veterans no longer have PTSD — and more importantly, at follow-up six months later, we haven鈥檛 seen them relapse.鈥�

Rosengren made a $1 million commitment to support 麻豆原创 RESTORES because he shares the vision of scientific research, cutting edge treatment, and education that trains the next generation of health care providers.

He鈥檚 well aware, though, that even with his commitment, the clinic cannot provide treatment for the many veterans, active duty personnel and first responders who need it. Research grants from the Department of Defense enabled Beidel to develop the treatment, but the clinic needs ongoing funding to keep its doors open.

鈥淲e just need to be able to treat thousands and thousands more,鈥� Rosengren says. 鈥淲e can give these people their lives back and their families back.鈥�

He鈥檇 like to see 麻豆原创鈥檚 success go nationwide. His hope is that by training growing numbers of clinicians in the same therapy, Beidel and her team at 麻豆原创 RESTORES will see their success replicated across the country.

With his $1 million commitment, Rosengren is ensuring that military personnel and first responders know that there will be No Soldier Left Behind 鈥� not just at the time of the trauma, but even when the memories follow them home.

To learn more about 麻豆原创 Restores and its impact in our veterans鈥� own words: . Or visit https://www.ucffoundation.org/ucf-restores to find out how you can help.

The , the largest in 麻豆原创鈥檚 history, started in 2011 and seeks to reach the $500 million milestone by June 2019. More than 66,000 people have contributed $274.3 million to date, with much of the support coming from the generous benefactors invited to Friday鈥檚 gala.

鈥淚t shows an outpouring of support for the university that鈥檚 really going to help move us forward in the years ahead,鈥� President John C. Hitt said. 鈥淚 want to thank each of the donors very sincerely from my heart of hearts for their generosity.鈥�

Philanthropy is critical to the university鈥檚 vitality and impact in the community. Investments in students, faculty and game-changing projects lift Central Florida鈥檚 economy 鈥� in everything from hospitality to medicine 鈥� and transform lives and families across our region.

The IGNITE campaign supports three priorities:

Gifts recognized at Friday鈥檚 gala include:

The university also honored Orlando hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen for his lifetime of giving to 麻豆原创. In addition, Harris Corporation and Texas Instruments were recognized for their support for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The campaign chair is Rick Walsh, a 1977 graduate and former chair of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees.