Organization Name
Organization Info:
Name of Organization: UCLA Operation Mend
Website: www.operationmend.ucla.edu
Address: UCLA Health Sciences Development
10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 3132
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1784
Mission Statement:
UCLA Operation Mend’s mission is to bridge the gap between the best medical care that the
military can offer with the best care that the private sector can offer through private partnerships
with world-class institutions such as UCLA.
Contact Person for Questions (name, email, and phone number):
Candie Goldbronn, Director of Development, Patient Programs
cgoldbronn@support.ucla.edu
(310) 206-7620
Please check the most appropriate issue dealt with by your organization:
___ Children
___Elderly
___Hunger/Homelessness
___Disaster Relief
___Animal Welfare
__X_Health/Wellness ___Environment ___ Human Rights ___Families _X_ Soldiers/Supporting Troops
About Your Issue Area:
What is the deeper issue behind your organization?
UCLA Health System’s Operation Mend provides advanced, specialized reconstructive surgery to our
nation’s Wounded Warriors—the young servicemen and women injured while fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Operation Mend is a collaboration between UCLA Health System, V.A.-Greater Los
Angeles Health System and the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas—one of the premier
burn centers in the world. It started in 2007, and to this date, they have seen over 61 patients who are in
various stages of treatment.
What programs or services does your organization offer?
UCLA Operation Mend provides patient evaluation, plastic, reconstructive, and orthopaedic surgeries,
skin and bone regeneration prosthetics, neuropsychiatric services, transportation and housing, care
coordination, and other patient services to wounded warriors.
Do you have an interesting story about your organization or clients to share with the students?
U.S ARMY SSG Juan A Amaris is originally from Cali Colombia. He moved to the United States in 1999,
and joined the Military on February of 2001. He did his basic training at Fort Sill Oklahoma, then he was
sent to Fort Benign for Airborne School and finally to Fort Bragg North Carolina. He served under the 1377 Field Artillery Air assault Battalion, Unit with which he deployed to Mosul Iraq at the beginning of
2003 and return earlier 2004. After he got back he was sent to Fort Wainwright Alaska to be part of the
new striker brigade. SSG Amaris deployed in the middle of August of 2005 with this unit to Iraq where
he was injured in theater on June 20 of 2006. He was burned over 77% of his body and lost the use of
both hands. SSG Amaris is currently living in San Antonio Texas, with his wife and two children. His
motto to this day is "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And
so it is with you... YOU are in charge of your attitude."
How Can Students Help?
How can students help through specific, tangible cash grants? (ex: $25 feeds 1 dog for 1 month; or specific
items/supplies that will benefit your programs)
The costs associated with one wounded warrior's Operation Mend care are approximately $500,000.
These expenses include patient evaluation, plastic, reconstructive, and orthopaedic surgeries, skin and
bone regeneration prosthetics, neuropsychiatric services, transportation and housing, care
coordination, and other patient services.
One-night accommodations for a patient during treatment, $245 ($1,715/week)
Fly one patient to LA for surgery, $500
Patient’s one day per diem for food or personal items during treatment visits, $63per day ($189 per
patient and non-medical attendants (one adult and two dependent children)
Transportation for patient to or from LAX/Westwood, $75
How can students help through group service projects? (What is useful to your organization and educational to
students?)
Fundraising drive (Bake sale, Lemonade stand, etc) to raise funds and awareness, donations can help
buy patients and their families gift cards to local retailers, children’s’ toys,
Creating Welcome Packets and welcome baskets for patients,
Research local business that offer military discounts, and work with Operation Mend staff to make
connections,
Creating special maps and other tools/recommendations for patients and families, as well as military
personnel to use while in Los Angeles i.e. restaurants, barber, or nail salon,
Escort patients to special events/community outreach programs,
Assist with updating patient profiles and updates for the website and handout material.
Do you provide individual volunteer opportunities for youth? (If so, what ages, and what types of volunteer opportunities
do you provide?)
The Teen Buddy program is an extension of the Operation Mend Buddy Family Program. It was
conceived by four local teens (three of whose families have been part of the Buddy Family program
since Operation Mend’s inception) as a way for teens to “give back” to our wounded service members.
The Teen Buddy program provides opportunities for teens, working in pairs, to spend time with our
patients' teenage children in a safe environment, learning about the realities of our service members'
sacrifice, while providing activities and social opportunities for them while their parent(s) go thru the
recovery process.
Often, Operation Mend patients are in Los Angeles for ten days at a time, with limited opportunities for
daytime activities. Our Teen Buddies can take the patients’ "teen children" out to lunch nearby, to the
movies, for a walk around UCLA or Westwood, or just hang out at Tiverton House and talk. Teen
Buddies receive training, and participate only in pre-approved activities.
Outings for Teen Buddies are funded by the Operation Mend “Fun” Fund, which was established in
order to provide funds for activities not related to our patients’ medical procedures. Students can get
involved raising money for the Fun Fund, and help in our efforts to collect gift cards from Westwood
vendors like: Jersey Mike’s, In ‘n Out Burger, California Pizza Kitchen, Ralphs Supermarket, Trader
Jo’s, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, etc. These gift cards can be given to our patients in gift
baskets when they arrive at Tiverton House, our hotel for patients and their families, and/or can be used
by Teen Buddies for their outings with the patients.
Requirements for Participation in the Teen Buddy Program:
1. Be in 10th, 11th or 12th grade and at least 15 years of age.
2. Submit completed application along with Parental Consent.
3. Attend a ½ day training session at UCLA (date and time to be announced).
4. Complete online HIPPA training.
5.Comply with all rules for program participation (part of the application).
Are there opportunities for students to be recognized by your organization? (A Mention in Newsletter, Site Visit of
Facility, Celebration and Mingling with Clients, etc.)
Website “In the Spot Light”, site visit, working directly with patients and families, attending special
events and social activities, letters of recommendation, volunteer hours, etc.