Funds aim to reduce suicide and substance abuse rates among veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Raleigh, NC, October 10, 2024 – Constellation Quality Health, a national health care quality consulting organization, has provided a $50,000 grant to WarriorWOD (Work Out of the Day) Foundation in Charleston, SC, for its innovative “Exercise is the RX for PTS” program. The program focuses on a holistic approach through exercise, nutrition, and mentorship as a leading prescription in veterans’ recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and reducing veteran suicides.

The grant will expand the “Exercise is the RX for PTS” program’s reach among veterans, addressing their root causes of PTS and providing them with a gym membership, personalized nutrition coaching, and support from a “Battle Buddy.” Since its inception in 2021, WarriorWOD has supported 172 veterans and has led to a 29 percent overall decrease in PTS symptoms. In the Carolinas, veteran suicide rates average 31.7 per 100,000.

Constellation’s President and CEO Steven Martin believes more should be done to aid veterans, an often-overlooked sector in communities. “Sadly, veterans with PTS often do not have the local support they need for recovery, and this grant is decisively for that reason – to expand the support and resources so they can recover,” said Martin. “Our Center of Innovation’s focus on mental health and research directly aligns with WarriorWOD’s mission, and this grant builds on their valuable, impactful program for the veteran community.” The Constellation Center of Innovation is the research and development arm of the organization.

“Constellation’s grant massively impacts our mission to prioritize exercise, nutrition, and mentorship as prescriptions for veterans’ recovery from post-traumatic stress and other invisible wounds,” said Phil Palmer, Executive Director, Warrior WOD. “Through Constellation’s funding, they are taking a stance and taking action against veterans’ suffrage with PTSD and are truly heroes to our heroes.”

WarriorWOD was founded by Palmer, a Purple Heart recipient and Marine Corps combat veteran who serves as a South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs Pathfinder, Lowcountry Veteran Engagement Team member, and is on Governor McMaster’s Veteran Coalition.

Constellation Quality Health, a nonprofit with a 40-year legacy built on helping clients achieve quality care delivery, system performance, compliance, financial protection, and optimal outcomes, is committed to exploring the future of health care quality through applied and experimental research strategies within its Center of Innovation, providing support to identified areas of need such as the WarriorWOD program.