The Patriot Partial Hospital Program, which has been recently added to the hospital’s continuum of behavioral health services, is located in the Saint John Medical Plaza, Suite 200, 3550 South Fourth Street. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Patriot Program serves all psychiatric diagnoses, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the readjustment period back into the community and family. PTSD can occur following a life-threatening event like military combat, and has been documented in one in eight returning soldiers. Yet, less than half of those with problems seek help. The Patriot Program also will provide assistance to spouses who are dealing with anxiety, depression and other chronic psychiatric issues.

“With lingering wars in two combat zones and multiple deployments, the level of stress for the military and their families has been incredible,” explains Lisa Lillard, L.S.C.S.W., director of the hospital’s Behavioral Health Services.

Lillard says the program has been in development during the past year. “The program was created in response to needs expressed by the clinical staff serving the military on post,” Lillard explains.

Dan Sheehan, Saint John chief administrator, adds that the program is highly specialized to meet the mental health needs of the troops. “We owe so much to the men and women who serve our country on the front lines every day,” Sheehan says. “This program is the way we can help the members of the military and their families readjust to life in our community. From our medical director, to the facility itself, our goal is to be sure the Patriot Program provides our patients with the best Saint John has to offer.”

The Patriot Program is a partial hospital program, which by definition is an intensive outpatient treatment that allows for recently hospitalized patients to “step down” from that level of care, to one where they attend treatment during the day and return home at night. The program also can be used prior to an inpatient hospitalization as an intervention of less intensity.

The program is housed in newly renovated space located in the Saint John Medical Plaza, just a few miles from the fort. “Our goal is to provide discreet, accessible care to the active military and their spouses in our community,” Lillard says.

The Patriot Program’s medical director is Vellore Kirubukaran, M.D. Dr. Kirubukaran is currently the associate medical director of Saint John’s Senior Behavioral Health Center. He is board certified in psychiatry and has practiced in the Kansas City area for the past 25 years. He once served as the psychiatric chief of services at Ft. Leavenworth. Patients will be treated by a multidisciplinary team made up of a psychiatrist, social worker and nurse practitioner.

The program will work with other providers in the community to ensure a continuum of care for active military and their families right in their home town. “It is well documented that multiple deployments take a great toll on our military personnel and their families,” Lillard adds. “The ability to provide multiple levels of care to our military community will be a huge step forward. Our goal is to decrease the number of inpatient hospitalizations, as well as increase the functionality of our military personnel and their family members who need care.”

For more information on the Patriot Program, call Lillard at 913-680-6232.