Mid-2025 BHRIG Update: Progress, Publications, and Planning!

The TSNRP Biobehavioral Health Research Interest Group (BHRIG) is making significant progress in FY25, with members continuing to drive impactful operational research and collaboration.

BHRIG Leadership Partners with LCDR Emily Latimer on Funded EBP Grant

The BHRIG leadership team will partner with LCDR Emily Latimer, NC, USN, on the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiative titled Providing a Validated Mindfulness Training Intervention to Mitigate Secondary Traumatic Stress in Military Trauma Center Nurses and Other Healthcare Providers: An Evidence-Based Practice Project. TSNRP funded the project and the BHRIG leadership team (CDR Shawna Grover PhD, ANP-BC, ACNS-BS, AOCNS, Lt Col Carla Wiese, PhD, CDR Stuart R. Hitchcock, PhD, JM, RN, CNOR) is enthusiastic about serving as scientific mentors. This EBP project promises significant positive impact on the well-being of military trauma center nurses and exemplifies the impactful, evidence-based work the BHRIG champions.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming AMSUS Webinars

The BHRIG is slated to present two online webinars through AMSUS:

• The Emerging Concept of Expectant Casualty Care 28 August 2025, 12-2 PM ET
  

  Future large-scale combat operations will increase expectant casualty care (ECC) that nurses, medics, and physicians face on the battlefield. Currently no detailed guidelines or standardized training programs address this anticipated rise. This webinar will:

  • Clearly define ECC in operational settings,

  • Clarify ECC in role 1 and in role 2 environments, and

  • Identify training needs for future battlefields.

Presenters include:

• CDR Shawna Grover, PhD, ANP-BC, ACNS-BS, AOCNS

• Lt Col Wiese, PhD, MSN, BSN, CCRN

• CDR Stuart R. Hitchcock, PhD, JM, RN, CNOR

REGISTER NOW 

• Military Nurse REsilience and Retention

  25 September 2025, 12-3 PM ET

  The resilience and retention of the U.S. Military Nurse Corps are crucial for maintaining the health, survivability, and operational effectiveness of American warfighters. Several factors influence this continuing challenge, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force have implemented various strategies to address these issues. The webinar presents factors, insights, and strategies that support the continuation or departure of military nurse warriors.
  

Presenters include:

• Army: MAJ Melissa Miller, PhD

• Navy: CDR Shawna Grover, PhD, ANP-BC, ACNS-BS, AOCNS

• Air Force: Lt Col Angela Phillips, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC

• Moderator: Lt Col Carla Wiese, PhD, MSN, BSN, CCRN

Registration opens soon 

Dissemination Initiatives

Two manuscripts are underway that aim to spark essential conversations and influence best practices in the care of warfighters and their families:

1. Importance of Palliative Care in the Operational Setting: This statement paper emphasizes the critical need for robust palliative care provisions within operational environments, aiming to enhance the quality of life and dignity of American warfighters facing serious illness or injury. Collaborators include:

• CDR Shawna Grover, PhD, ANP-BC, ACNS-BS, AOCNS

• Lt Col Carla Wiese, PhD

• CDR Stuart R. Hitchcock, PhD, JM, RN, CNOR

• COL Christopher Stucky, PhD, RN, CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB, NEA-BC, FAORN, FAAN

• Lt Col Sarah L. Huffman, PhD

• Vivian Bauman

• Deborah J. Kenny PhD, RN, FAAN
  

2. Content Analysis of the 2024 Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) Conference Panel Related to Expectant Casualty Care in the Operational Setting: This analysis explores expert discussions on expectant casualty care for battlefield warriors, offering clarity on current approaches, and identifying future needs in this complex domain of combat/mass casualty nursing. Collaborators include:

• CDR Shawna Grover PhD, ANP-BC, ACNS-BS, AOCNS

• Lt Col Carla Wiese, PhD

• CDR Stuart R. Hitchcock, PhD, JM, RN, CNOR

2025 TSNRP Research & EBP Dissemination Course

Thank you to everyone who attended the BHRIG meeting at Dissemination Course in San Antonio, TX. Engaging with attendees was incredibly motivating, and featured rich conversations to help shape the direction of the BHRIG and enhance services to military nursing scholars. Thank you for your valuable input!

Shaping the BHRIG Future: Planning Underway

A huge thank you to all BHRIG members who participated in the recent short questionnaire! Your input will be used to plan Fiscal Year 2026 BHRIG projects and budget so endeavors align with your interests and priorities.

BHRIG Quarterly Membership Meeting

The next BHRIG membership meeting will be held online in October 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow BHRIG members, share research, and foster collaboration. Your invitation will arrive via email closer to the date.