Medical Spa Show tickets purchased from February 10 – 17, 2025 support specialized surgical and psychological care for post 9/11 veterans, servicemembers and their caregivers.

Flowers and candy only last for a moment, but uplifting the human spirit makes a lifetime of difference. This Valentine’s Day, your support can help make a life-changing difference for podst-9/11 veterans, service members and their caregivers.  From February 10–17, 2025, every ticket purchased for Medical Spa Show will help provide specialized surgical and psychological care for these courageous individuals at no cost to them.

UCLA’s Operation Mend is the only program in the nation dedicated to dedicated to healing both the visible and invisible wounds of war. Through compassionate care, they provide hope and healing to veterans and their families across all 50 states.

When you purchase your Medical Spa Show 2025 ticket this week, $75 of your ticket will be donated to Operation Mend, and thanks to generous matching donations from AmSpa and ByrdAdatto, your contribution will go even farther! Register your team this week and help bring critical care to those who’ve given so much for our country.

The Heart of Operation Mend

The inspiring story of Operation Mend began in 2006 when Maddie and Ron Katz, high school sweethearts and UCLA alumni, watched a news story about USMC Corporal Aaron Mankin. Cpl. Mankin was serving in Iraq in 2005 when his vehicle struck an IED, leading to severe third degree burns to his face, arms and hands, along with injuries to his throat and lungs. The Katzes were inspired to help, and mobilized a team from UCLA to work with the burn ward that saved his life.

In September 2007, Cpl. Mankin became Operation Mend’s first patient as UCLA surgeons performed 29 surgeries. The Katz family became the first Operation Mend Buddy Family, wrapping Cpl. Mankin in an extra layer of non-medical support to provide a sense of normalcy during his recovery. They helped with transportation to and from LAX, accommodations at the UCLA Health hotel and escorted him to all medical appointments.

Today, the buddy program continues to provide this critical emotional support for veterans and their caregivers. Caring volunteer families near UCLA provide essential non-medical care: the chance for some sightseeing and meals out, home-cooked meals, distraction from the hard work of healing, friendship, and respite for caregivers.

The Warrior Care Network

Operation Mend offers intensive psychological care with its cohort model for veterans and caregivers recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After a two-week program at UCLA Health, the care follows participants home with an additional two weeks of telehealth provider-facilitated peer-to-peer support to ensure ongoing care and connection.

Specialized Surgical Care

What started with a focus on reconstructive plastic surgery has expanded over the past 17 years to provide holistic care in a wide variety of clinical specialty areas, including:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Maxillofacial/Dentistry and Prosthetics
• Advanced Imaging and Diagnostics
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Anesthesia and Pain Management
• Ophthalmology & Oculoplastic Surgery
• Dermatology
• Otolaryngology/ENT
• Advanced Diagnostics for PTSD and TBI
• Seizure Disorder Care
• Neurology and Neurosurgery

Care is tailored to the individual participant, so every patient receives the best possible treatment.

Gold Standard of Care

All patients receive individualized care and care management, psychological health treatment, behavioral health screening, and family care management. As part of the Gold Standards of Care, participants also receive free air and ground transportation, housing, escort to appointments and procedures, buddy families, and connections to resources. All services are provided at no cost to the patients and their families.

Rebuilding Confidence and Purpose

Operation Mend empowers patients to actively engage in their healing process, rebuilding confidence and self-esteem as they work alongside their care team and caregivers. The program focuses not only on recovery but on restoring a sense of purpose and strength.

 

Join Us in Supporting Operation Mend

When you support Operation Mend, you’re helping heal the invisible wounds of war. Your contribution makes a lasting impact on the lives of veterans, service members, and their families.

Since the first Medical Spa Show, AmSpa has raised more than $79,000 for Operation Mend. Help us continue this journey by registering your team for Medical Spa Show 2025

If you have already registered, consider making a personal donation to Operation Mend. Visit www.medicalspashow.com/operation-mend to learn more and be part of something truly transformative.