Defense taps Navy psychiatrist to head traumatic brain injury center

The Defense Department has appointed a Navy psychiatrist, Capt. Paul Hammer, as director of its Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Hammer, who takes over in January 2011, replaces Army Col. Robert Saum, a psychologist with a doctorate in cognitive studies. Defense removed Saum as interim director of the centers in September following a personnel complaint and subsequent investigation. Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, director of force health protection and readiness programs in the Military Health System, temporarily replaced Saum.

Defense established the centers to research and treat the signature wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries -- but the organization has had a troubled history since its creation in November 2007. Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., said at a hearing of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee in April that despite a lavish budget, the centers, "while having achieved some notable small-scale successes, has not inspired great confidence, or enthusiasm thus far."

Saum took over as head of the centers in June after Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, who served as director since the organization opened, abruptly departed with no public announcement. She now works in an unspecified capacity for Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the Army's surgeon general.

Hammer, who currently is the director of the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, began his military service as an enlisted Marine, and received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Silver Spring, Md. He served a combat tour with the Marines in Iraq with Bravo Surgical Company, including service in Fallujah during the battle for the city in November 2004.

"Capt. Hammer's proven performance demonstrates he will advance the quality and level of care we provide members of the armed forces who have suffered from TBI, or psychological illness," said Dr. George Peach Taylor, who is performing the duties of Defense assistant secretary for health affairs.