Meet Ambassador George A. Serrano Martinez
- George A. Serrano Martinez
George is a happily married family man with an amazing wife and two children. Though George’s main focus is his family and creating great memories, George enjoys music, video games, and anything Star Wars. George endeavors to give back to his community by volunteering, often with fellow veterans and patients to continue advocating the importance of community integration and social interactions.
George’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Journey
George A. Serrano Martinez is a United States Navy Veteran and has been a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program at James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa since 2020. Due to his own brain injury-related needs that led to his retirement from military service, George has found a passion in working with brain injury patients and helping them cope with a world that so often misunderstands invisible injuries. George works within an interdisciplinary team of experts that assist veterans in transitioning back into their communities post-brain injury, including active-duty service members, retirees, and veterans. George serves our nation's heroes with assistance in returning to work, volunteering in the community, and/or ensuring veterans have all the resources available for an acceptable quality of life. As a result of his prior service, George’s dedication to helping his fellow veterans meet their goals and enjoy their lives is not just a professional pursuit, but personally fulfilling.
What does George think of the quality/usefulness of MSKTC resources?
George was enamored by the wealth of resources available on the MSKTC website. MSKTC provides a myriad of resources for brain injury patients, covering many different needs, allowing George to emphasize and expand education to patients, family members, caregivers, fellow staff, and Vocational Rehabilitation interns. With this material being research-based and peer-reviewed, it allows veterans and their families to be better prepared for their future, and it allows them to be able to receive education regarding their specific needs. The website is easy to maneuver and user-friendly, raising the probability that patients will review the provided resources.
Why does George want to be an MSKTC ambassador?
As George grows in his field, he has learned the importance of brain injury education, advocacy, and knowledge of resources that can help veterans, their families, and their caregivers. MSKTC has a myriad of educational resources available, allowing George to share evidenced-based research and education with the individuals he provides care for, as well as the fellow staff who work with brain injury patients.
What has George done as an MSKTC ambassador?
George has implemented MSKTC education within all his initial evaluations, making it common practice to review MSKTC with each patient to determine what best fits their needs. MSKTC resources are also used in various groups as appropriate to better educate his veterans. George has also introduced his fellow interdisciplinary team of brain injury staff to MSKTC, expanding the team’s educational resources with evidence-based research. George plans to continue educating his fellow VA staff, external stakeholders, and other brain injury associations about the amazing MSKTC resources.