UCLA Operation Mend

UCLA Operation Mend Operation Mend provides advanced surgical and medical treatment for post-9/11 era service members

Operation Mend was established in 2007 as a partnership between UCLA Health and the United States military. The program is available at absolutely no cost to the veterans or service member. Operation Mend was envisioned by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Board and Executive Committee member Ronald A. Katz after a visit to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), a leading burn and rehabilitation center in San Antonio, Texas, where he and his wife Maddie provided a lead gift to build a new 42-unit Fisher House. This visit inspired the Katz family to secure a commitment from UCLA to partner with BAMC on Operation Mend. “I think it is the private sector’s duty to stand up … and do something extra to help,” said Katz. “I asked UCLA Health if there was a way that we could offer our services and give these kids and their families not only the best the Army has to offer, but the best the country has to offer.” The program is open to members from all service branches. All medical care, travel and accommodations are provided AT NO COST to Operation Mend participants and their families.

Caregivers are not on the sidelines, they’re part of the healing.For Monique, being included in the program meant learni...
02/18/2026

Caregivers are not on the sidelines, they’re part of the healing.

For Monique, being included in the program meant learning how to better support her husband through the realities of TBI and migraines, and learning how to care for herself without guilt. From recognizing warning signs, to building routines around mindfulness and meditative movement, she found tools that helped her household feel more grounded and more connected.

At UCLA Operation Mend, care is designed for both the Warrior and the person standing beside them—because healing works best when it’s shared.

UCLA Health

Thinking about treatment, but not sure where to start? We hear this often. And you’re not alone.Accessing care at UCLA O...
02/11/2026

Thinking about treatment, but not sure where to start? We hear this often. And you’re not alone.

Accessing care at UCLA Operation Mend is designed to be thoughtful, coordinated, and supportive without unnecessary barriers or pressure. From an initial conversation about eligibility, to a clinical review and personalized care plan, to treatment at UCLA at no cost to you or your caregiver, every step is handled with care and respect.

If you’ve been unsure whether treatment is possible, accessible, or right for you, this is your reminder: support starts with a conversation. 🎖️💙🇺🇸

Reach out at 310-267-2110 📞 or explore our programs: uclahealth.org/operationmend 🌐

UCLA Health

This Black History Month, we're honoring two leaders who helped ensure Black service members and Veterans were seen, sup...
02/01/2026

This Black History Month, we're honoring two leaders who helped ensure Black service members and Veterans were seen, supported, and cared for, during and after war.

Their impact reminds us that honoring service also means honoring the fight for dignity, equity, and care beyond the battlefield. 🎖️

For Veterans Day, Operation Mend was proud to be at VetFest 2025! An incredible day hosted by Rotary Club of Manhattan B...
01/30/2026

For Veterans Day, Operation Mend was proud to be at VetFest 2025! An incredible day hosted by Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach that’s grown from 375 attendees in 2018 to nearly 900 in 2025. A fun-filled celebration with live music, great food, and deep gratitude for those who answer the call to serve.

Meet Buster.Before Operation Mend, he was living with severe migraines, communication challenges, and a deep sense of ho...
01/23/2026

Meet Buster.

Before Operation Mend, he was living with severe migraines, communication challenges, and a deep sense of hopelessness about what life could look like as a father, husband, and member of his community.

Through Operation Mend, Buster didn’t lose the pain, he gained the tools to understand it, live with it, and move forward with purpose. From becoming a Crisis Text Line counselor to pursuing a future in clinical psychology, his story is a powerful reminder that progress isn’t linear, but it is possible.

Swipe to hear Buster’s journey, in his own words.

UCLA Health

Still dealing with the after-effects of TBI? You’re not alone. Our pathway pairs answers with action.TBI recovery isn’t ...
01/16/2026

Still dealing with the after-effects of TBI? You’re not alone. Our pathway pairs answers with action.

TBI recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Brain 1 is a short, focused week to figure out what’s going on and start a plan. Brain ITP is a two-week, day-to-day program to address TBI symptoms.

The first step is to start with a conversation by contacting our team. Care is free, caregivers are included, and travel & lodging are covered. 💙

UCLA Health

To every Veteran and caregiver who trusted us in 2025… THANK YOU. Your courage, honesty, and effort power our mission. 💙...
01/07/2026

To every Veteran and caregiver who trusted us in 2025… THANK YOU. Your courage, honesty, and effort power our mission. 💙

As we move into 2026, our focus remains dedicated to providing no-cost, high-quality care, supporting caregivers, and offering integrated treatment for brain health, PTSD, and injury-related challenges. 💛

You’re not late. You’re right on time. ✨
Reach out at 310-267-2110 📞 or explore our programs: uclahealth.org/operationmend 🌐

UCLA Health

As the year comes to a close, we’re reminded that generosity isn’t only about giving, it’s about recognizing those who g...
12/29/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re reminded that generosity isn’t only about giving, it’s about recognizing those who give so much of themselves. 💙

Veterans, caregivers, and families carry stories of strength, service, and recovery that continue long after the holidays. 🎖️

This season, let’s lift them up with the kind of support and connection that lasts all year, because healing doesn’t happen alone, and it doesn’t stop at the calendar. ✨

UCLA Health

As we celebrate this holiday season, we pause with deep gratitude for the strength of our Veterans, the devotion of thei...
12/25/2025

As we celebrate this holiday season, we pause with deep gratitude for the strength of our Veterans, the devotion of their caregivers, and the compassion of every person who walks beside them.

From all of us at Operation Mend, thank you for being part of a community that makes healing possible, together.

Wishing you peace, connection, and hope this holiday season. 💙✨

Last month, we were honored to be the beneficiary of a special evening hosted by Friends of Operation Mend, a group that...
12/22/2025

Last month, we were honored to be the beneficiary of a special evening hosted by Friends of Operation Mend, a group that comes together each year to support post-9/11 Veterans and their families. 🇺🇸

This fundraiser was made possible by Gary Jacobs, founder of Friends of Operation Mend, whose belief in our mission sparked the creation of this group more than 11 years ago. Gary’s leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment have helped sustain critical healing programs year after year, turning belief into lasting impact. 🎖️

We are deeply grateful to Friends of Operation Mend and everyone who showed up to support our Veterans. 💙

UCLA Health

12/19/2025

Read the article Democracy is a verb – Democratic citizenship in action .. Read Democracy is a verb – Democratic citizenship in action

Every wreath placed is a promise kept. 🎄 On , we honor those who gave their all, the Warriors, the caregivers, and the ...
12/19/2025

Every wreath placed is a promise kept. 🎄

On , we honor those who gave their all, the Warriors, the caregivers, and the families, and remember their stories with gratitude.

Thank you to the volunteers, organizations, and communities who gather, lay wreaths, and pause with reverence. May each wreath placed reflect not just a moment of remembrance, but a continuing commitment to the heroes, the hearts, and the healing. 🎗️

Address

924 Westwood Boulevard, Ste 400
Los Angeles, CA
90095

Telephone

+13102672110

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Our Story

Established in 2007, Operation Mend is a pioneering program. It combines the best of the military's resources with the skills of UCLA Health System for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to healing United States military personnel wounded and disfigured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Envisioned by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Board and Executive Committee member Ronald A. Katz and his wife, Maddie, Operation Mend's original goal was to give returning service members with severe facial injuries access to the Army's best burn center and the nation's best plastic and reconstructive surgeons. In a partnership with Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), a leading burn and rehabilitation center in San Antonio, Texas, the V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, and UCLA Health System, Operation Mend started with facial reconstruction. Official page of UCLA Operation Mend.