The Meaning of Valor

VALOR for LIFE is a non-profit organization providing veterans with no cost surgical spine care, general orthopedic specialty care, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through pulsed magnetic therapy.

Valor is defined as “great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle”, a word that applies to all the heroes who risk their lives for the freedom and welfare of their countrymen. But is the valor gone once those men and women return home? We don’t think so. Valor is lifelong, and the battle for physical and mental health and wellness of our veterans is a growing issue that needs support and attention. That’s where VALOR for LIFE can help. We honor the commitment and sacrifices of members of the armed forces by providing no cost surgeries, specialty medical care, and PTSD treatments.

Founder and Chairperson, Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr. is not only a world renowned neurological spine surgeon, but also served as a Major while stationed as Chief of Neurosurgery at the David Grant Medical Center during 20 years of combined active and reserve duty with the United States Air Force. Dr. Bray witnessed first-hand the sacrifices made by the members of our armed services, and was humbled and inspired by the heroes he treated in that time and since.

Specialty care provided at the level available through VALOR for LIFE and DISC Sport & Spine Center is a unique and rare opportunity. We view this as a way to offer a supplement to the care currently available to the veterans and/or active duty members through the military structure. We will seek to expand the scope of services offered beyond the current focus on spinal surgery and general orthopedic specialty care by organizing specialists from a variety of disciplines who wish to give back to this community, providing their expertise to enhance the quality of life of those who have given so much to our freedom and way of life.

Every member of the VALOR for LIFE board has either served or had family who served in the armed forces. This personal connection and understanding of the challenges veterans and servicemen face allows them to draw on their experiences to give back to this under-served community. Board Member, Rick Rosenfeld and Chairman, Dr. Robert S. Bray have been committed to this cause prior to the founding of Valor for LIFE and have raised and awarded a combined $500,000 to support Special Operations and their families. Now through VALOR for LIFE, they plan to use their past success as a springboard for further fundraising, donating 100% of the fund to support special forces heroes. As prior patients of Dr. Bray, Members George Severence and Matt Bissonnette lend a unique understanding of the process of post-service surgery and recovery.

• Chairperson: Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD
• Board Member: Rick Rosenfield, JD
• Board Member: Major General Paul Dwan, MD (ret.)
• Board Member: Michael Port, MD
• Board Member: Lieutenant Commander Jack Carr (ret.)
• Board Member: Matt Bissonnette Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) SEAL
• Board Member: Jimmy Spithill
• Chief Science Officer: Kristina Hoque, MS, MD, PhD, DABNM