Clinical psychologist to discuss stress disorder and soldiers in Iraq

Clinical psychologist Katherine T. Platoni, who is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Service Corps, will discuss her experiences treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder during active combat in Iraq Thursday, April 26, at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Her talk, which is open to the public, will begin at 4 p.m. in the Class of 1962 Auditorium in the Kornberg Medical Research Building. Admission is free. The public presentation is part of a two-day visit by Platoni during which she will meet with students and faculty of the University's School of Medicine and Dentistry.

In 2005, Platoni deployed to Iraq as deputy commander of clinical services for the 55th Medical Company in Baghdad and seven subsequent locations. She later was officer in charge of Team Ar Ramadi, situated, she said "at the seat of the insurgency." The area often was under attack. She was able to treat, on site, soldiers who were experiencing high levels of stress and violence.

From 1984 through 1987, Platoni served as chief of psychology at DeWitt Army Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She served as commander of the 1972nd Medical Detachment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 2003 to 2004. A clinical psychologist for 25 years, she maintains a private practice in Centerville, Ohio.

For more media inquiries, contact:
Michael Wentzel
(585) 275-1309
[email protected]

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu