Elisa V. Borah, Ph.D.

Elisa V. Borah, MSW, PhD is a research associate professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, the director of the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness, a joint initiative of the Dell Medical School Department of Health Social Work and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, and the director of the Moritz Center for Societal Impact.

Borah conducts research to identify, implement, and evaluate programming and supports for military members, veterans, spouses and their families. Current research efforts include studying the impact of peer and social support for military and veteran spouses, self-care practices among military spouses and how best to support military spouses transition needs after military life. Borah also studies how to improve engagement of concerned significant others in veteran suicide prevention practices and research. In 2015, Borah developed the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN), funded through an Engagement Award from the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI), to engage veteran spouses in defining programmatic and research needs to better support veteran families in Texas, and throughout the country. Through the VSN, Borah implements program supports for spouses and couples and studies how peer support can improve veterans’ and veteran spouses’ quality of life and improved mental health. Borah chairs the annual Military Social Work conference at The University of Texas at Austin. She previously served as director of research at the Ft. Hood site of the STRONG STAR PTSD Research Consortium, a Department of Defense consortium at UT Health San Antonio.

Media

• Borah, E.V. & Hannah O’Brien (2022, Nov. 11). “Commentary: When you thank veterans, thank their families, too.” Op ed in Austin American Statesman.
• Fox News. (2022, Oct. 27). Interviewed by Fox 44 about military spouses support needs and new study funding for the CDMRP study awarded in September 2022.
• UT News. (2022, Nov.11). The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness is named by UT Austin as part of its support for veterans and reflection in national rankings for veterans. “Commitment to Military Community Reflected in Rankings and Programming”
• UT SHSSW News. (2022, Nov. 30). “SHS Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW) provides community, resources, and resilience to veteran families.”
• UT News. (2021, Nov. 8). The Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness is mentioned as part of UT Austin’s recent ranking as the best college for veterans in UT News.
• KXAN News. (2021, Nov. 11). Quoted by KXAN about UT Austin’s recent ranking as the best college for veterans in Texas in which the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness is mentioned as component of the ranking.
• The Hill. (2021,Nov.11). Authored an op-ed for The Hill on Veterans Day commenting on the new White House plan, “Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide: Advancing a Comprehensive, Cross- sector, Evidence-informed, Public Health Strategy”.
• KXEN News. (2020, December 22). Quoted in KXEN article about current research on military family food insecurity.
• UT Press Release. (2020, Sept. 16). Quoted in press release: “Texas Veterans Network to Offer Comprehensive Support for Veterans, Families Transitioning to Civilian Life”
• Borah, E.V. (2020, April 3). Quoted in a Blue Star Families article about isolation, coronavirus, and caregivers for veterans.
• Stars and Stripes. (2020, April 3). Quoted about coronavirus risks and caregivers for veterans.
• Spectrum News. (2020, Feb. 21). Quoted in feature piece about institute’s Veteran Spouse Resiliency Program.
• Fox 7 News. (2018, October 30). Good Day Austin interview about the Veteran Couples Connect program.
• KPLE-TV (2018 ,October 4). Interviewed on “Attention Central Texas”
• Houston Chronicle. (2016, November 10). Lawmakers should focus on female veterans’ mental health needs.
• Borah, E.V. (2016, November 11). Nation must increase support for women veterans. Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Borah, E.V. (2016, May 26). We must do more for the spouses of veterans. Dallas Morning News.
• Borah, E.V. (2016, March 15). Veterans treatment courts prioritize recovery over punishment. Houston Chronicle.
• Borah, E.V. (2015, November 11). Interviewed on Good Day Austin about providing support to veterans’ families.
• Borah,E.V.(2015, November 11). Interviewed on KXAN Austin about providing support to veterans’ families.
• Borah, E.V. (2015, September 14). Veterans’ care should extend to family. Houston Chronicle.
• Borah, E.V. (2015, September 10). Don’t forget military spouses when we think of vets’ care. Dallas Morning News.