What are your plans for today? Maybe you plan out your whole day, or even your whole week. You look at a long to-do list and try to figure out how it will all fit. How long will the drive to your next appointment take? How much time will you spend at the grocery store?…
“The mission is not over”: Veteran firefighter continues serving his hometown
As a boy, Andrew Lipari rode his bicycle to the neighborhood fire station where his father worked. Today, after serving as an Air Force firefighter and spending nearly 34 years with the Kansas City Fire Department, he protects the same community that helped shape his calling. His uniform has changed since he entered the military…
Still on the court: Precision Oncology kept a Veteran’s life on track
‘I’m still able to play pickleball and do what I want.’ When Navy Veteran Bob Thomason reflects on his service, he smiles and says he “did everything but fly the plane.” As a naval flight officer from 1964 to 1969, he traveled the world, including Vietnam and nearby regions, where precision and teamwork defined every…
Keeping care connected: How VA Direct supports Veterans
Monitoring and improving Direct Secure Messaging workflows When Veterans receive care outside VA, their health information needs to follow them. Whether it is a specialist appointment, emergency visit or community care referral, timely information sharing helps ensure Veterans receive coordinated care without unnecessary delays or repeated tests. That is why VA is committed to robust…
Information technology (IT) specialists build better careers at VA
Across the more than 1,300 locations that make up the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and our network of Veteran care, information technology (IT) is a crucial tool in maintaining safe, secure and up-to-date communication among our professionals. Within this complex landscape, the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is how we maintain seamless operations.…
First renal denervation at Houston VA targets high blood pressure
Quieting the nerves: A new option for Veterans High blood pressure just met another challenger at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston. The hospital recently performed its first-ever renal denervation procedure, a quick, minimally invasive treatment that targets the nerves driving up blood pressure. For the Veterans who walk through Houston VA’s…
Federal EHR makes remote infusion care program easier to access for Veterans in Northern Indiana
FEHR boosts efficiency of “Close to Me” infusion care program From its inception in 2021, the primary goal of VA’s “Close to Me” program was to create convenience for Veterans by making anti-cancer and other infusion therapies available in their communities through local VA clinics and partnering health care providers. As a result, Veterans can…
Cheyenne VA volunteers: Quiet heroes at the heart of Veteran care
Quiet acts of service reach thousands of Veterans every month Every day, volunteers greet Veterans arriving at Cheyenne VA Medical Center in Wyoming and Northern Colorado VA Clinic for the healthcare they earned through service. They may offer a ride, directions, a wheelchair, a warm cup of coffee or simply a moment of human connection.…
Job scams: Never pay to work
Job scams rank among the top predatory schemes that Veterans and military families encounter. In pursuit of remote work and higher income, anyone can easily become a target. Hiring scams are particularly deceiving, targeting not just money, but also personal information and sensitive documents. These scams can take many forms, and can be equally as…
Platinum card: How telehealth gave one Veteran his time back
Telehealth helps a Veteran stay connected to care without long trips For Army Veteran Bernard Williams, VA’s virtual care options have made his healthcare significantly easier to access and fit into daily life. Williams, who is in his 60s, had his first telehealth appointment in December 2025 through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app.…
The VA community cares for Veterans and each other
Visit any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) campus and you’ll find more than clinics and offices. You’ll find a gift shop with cards and balloons to brighten a Veteran patient’s day, or a cafeteria with piping hot coffee and donuts to share between colleagues. These places and the moments shared there don’t show up on…
USAA and Call of Duty Endowment offer Veterans free Valor Pack inspired by Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter
Sharing non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should always verify information with the organization offering the program. USAA has teamed up with the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) to offer service members and Veterans a free Call of Duty Endowment Valor Pack in…