A Hero Serving Heroes

A HERO SERVING HEROES

CALSOUTHERN

IN THE COMMUNITY THE CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY FORUM FOR

EXC ELLENC E IN P S YC HO LO GY

Founded in 1978

CalSouthern in the Community

A HERO SERVING HEROES Dr. Inge Guen is Awarded Daughters of the American Revolution Medal for Patriotism for her Work with Wounded Soldiers

By Tom Dellner To say it was a big week for Dr. Inge Guen would be a bit of an understatement. On Wednesday, March 16, the Bethesda, Maryland, resident and CalSouthern PsyD candidate successfully defended her doctoral project regarding the effect of combat traumatic brain injury (TBI) on executive functioning. Three days later, Dr. Guen was presented the prestigious Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism by the Daughters of the American Revolution at a black-tie gala dinner in Washington, D.C. “Words can’t express how humbling it is to receive this incredible honor,” says Dr. Guen, who received the award for her volunteer work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. “I have found a calling in comforting and healing the spirits of these severely wounded warriors as they return to the U.S. to face many years of medical, psychological, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. These heroes have given so much for our country, and they deserve all our efforts to help them as they face a very difficult future. I feel honored to be part of their healing process and to bring hope to their lives.”

Dr. Guen was introduced to what is now her life’s work by her son, K.P. Guen, a member of the Order of St. John—a charitable group that tends to the sick and wounded and which can trace its origins back more than nine centuries—who had been ministering to wounded soldiers for a number of years. K.P. took his mother to visit “David” at Walter Reed. David was just embarking on a long journey to recovery, having recently returned from Iraq, where he had stepped on an improvised explosive device, losing both legs, his right hip, and right arm. A bond between David and Dr. Guen soon developed; the soldier even gave Dr. Guen his Purple Heart medal on Mother’s Day 2008—now one of her most treasured possessions and cherished memories.

Forum for Excellence in Psychology Founded in 1978

1

CalSouthern in the Community

Before long, Dr. Guen was introduced to many of David’s buddies at Walter Reed and began to volunteer more and more of her time at the facility. She had found her calling.

As she worked with these young heroes, Dr. Guen realized that she could do more for them if she built on her master’s degree in child and adolescent psychology, and she enrolled in the PsyD program at CalSouthern.

She excelled, progressing steadily to her doctorate. When made aware that the award was to be presented on March 19, Dean Barbara Grimes and others in the CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences made special accommodations for Inge so that she would be able to defend her doctoral project prior to the event.

The gesture clearly had an impact on the award gala. Dr. Guen received sustained applause from the distinguished audience when, during her acceptance remarks, she stated, “After several years of intense course work and two extensive clinical practicums at the National Naval Medical Center, I finally reached my goal this past Wednesday when I successfully defended my doctoral project on the effect of combat TBI on executive functioning, toward my Doctor of Psychology degree from California Southern University.”

Dr. Guen, who continues to work at the Naval Hospital after completing her practicums, concluded her speech by dedicating her medal to her warrior heroes and their families, and pledging to work as long as she is able to help them face their futures.

Forum for Excellence in Psychology

2

CalSouthern in the Community

About the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-profit, non-political women’s service organization based in Washington, D.C. Members are direct descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. One of the nation’s most inclusive genealogical societies, DAR boasts more than 168,000 members, representing a wide variety of races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds in 3,000 chapters across the country and around the world. DAR members volunteer more than 60,000 hours each year to veteran causes, award over $150,000 annually in scholarships and financial aid, and support schools for the underprivileged with yearly donations of more than $1 million.

The DAR’s Medal for Patriotism honors Ellen Hardin Walworth, one of DAR’s founders and an author, lawyer, activist, and passionate advocate for historic preservation.

Established in 1995, the award recognizes citizens who have displayed extraordinary acts of patriotism in the promotion of the DAR ideals of God, Home, and Country through faithful and meritorious service to community, state, or nation.

CalSouthern in the Community is published in conjunction with the California Southern University Forum for Excellence in Psychology, a content initiative designed to highlight excellence in research, scholarship, practice, and humanitarian work in the behavioral sciences.

Forum for Excellence in Psychology

3