Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center closes Johnstown site

JOHNSTOWN, Pa.

A center in Johnstown that helped rehabilitate veterans suffering from brain injuries has closed. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center located at the Hiram G. Andrews Centerwas apparently shut down last month. And while the Department of Defense says patient care was not affected, it appears dozens of employees may have lost their jobs.

6 News got an exclusive look inside the center in 2011. It housed enough spacious rooms for 20 patients and offered all levels of rehabilitative programs, comprehensive technology and counseling to help veterans suffering from the injuries of war. Now, new of itsclosure comes as a huge disappointment to former patients.

"I couldn't have gotten better care," said Kyle Steffen.

Steffen said he was treated at the center for about sixmonths after being hit with an I.E.D while on a tour in Afghanistan.

"I felt that it really helped me get back on the track," said Steffen. "There were just some different therapies and thingsthat I didn't know about and they really worked with me and they customized it to me."

The facility in Johnstown operated with around-the-clock care, helping to re-integratepatients back into the community and back to a normal, civilian life.

"The community here in the Laurel Highlands was absolutely fantastic," said Tom Caufield, director of the Veteran's Leadership Program at the Hiram G. Andrews Center."It was the best way to reintegrate these wounded soldiers and wounded veterans back into the community."

While Caulfield is not affiliated with the DVBIC, he said he interacted with many od itspatients and got to know them well.

"The changes in their demeanor and their confidence levels were such that it was night and day," said Caulfield.

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Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center closes Johnstown site