With almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States residing in rural communities, ensuring that they receive quality healthcare close to home is more important than ever. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) actively works to meet these Veterans in their own communities and promotes opportunities for them to live happy and healthy lives. Let’s explore Fort Meade, South Dakota, a historic…
Honoring a hero at McAllen VA Clinic
Honoring a remarkable life of service The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS) honored 102-year-old World War II hero Veteran Clarence Hicks at the McAllen VA Clinic in March. Distinguished service in World War II Hicks served as a Navy pilot during World War II, piloting the Lockheed P2V Neptune—a maritime patrol…
Veterans may be eligible for TSA PreCheck at no cost
On Jan. 4, 2025, the VETS (Veterans Expedited TSA Screening) Safe Travel Act (Public Law 118-238) was signed into law, which allows certain Veterans who meet specific criteria to receive TSA PreCheck enrollment at no cost. TSA PreCheck provides an expedited airport screening process, allowing travelers to enjoy a secure and streamlined security screening experience.…
Ceremony honors Marine Corps legend with new headstone
In late November 2025, Marine Corps Veteran Brooks Tucker happened upon a Facebook post of Veterans from the “Marine Reconnaissance Foundation.” They were cleaning the weathered and dilapidated headstone of Navy Cross recipient Lt. Col. William Leftwich Jr. at a private cemetery in Memphis. Leftwich, who was killed in a helicopter crash during combat in Vietnam,…
City of Chillicothe proclaims June 16th as Federal EHR Day
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center proudly commemorates the successful launch of the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, which went live on June 6, 2026, as part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ nationwide modernization of Veteran healthcare technology. In recognition of this achievement and its importance to Veterans throughout the region, the City…
Addressing homelessness among aging Veterans
A coordinated response to support aging homeless Veterans In fiscal year 2024, almost half of all Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare were 65 or older. By fiscal year 2035, the number of Veterans aged 85 and older is expected to increase by 66%. Within this broader population, a growing subset of aging Veterans is experiencing…
Make the grade: Understanding the General Schedule
If you’re exploring a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or any federal agency, you’ve likely come across the term General Schedule (GS). While it may seem complex at first, the GS system is simply a standardized way to define pay, responsibilities, and qualifications across federal government roles. Understanding how it works can help you better assess which positions align with your experience and how…
“My pain is barely a comma now”
Cheyenne VA pain management helps Veteran rethink pain Pain management at Cheyenne VA Health Care System (CVAHCS) began with a question for former Army officer Dominic Sansone. “What is your goal with the pain team?” Sansone was asked. “I knew saying, ‘I wanna feel gooder’ wouldn’t work.” So, he picked something smaller. Something specific: “I…
Live Whole Health #322: From ache to ahhhh!
Do you have long-lasting aches and pain in your low back and neck, fibromyalgia, or other conditions that make daily life harder? A study from the National Institutes of Health found that about two out of three Veterans had pain in the last three months, and around one out of ten had very bad pain. Veterans…
Lock it down: Protecting your VA health data
Tips for keeping your health information secure Accessing your health data online has never been easier—and it’s never been more important. VA builds its digital health tools, including My HealtheVet on VA.gov, VA Video Connect and other telehealth services, with privacy and security in mind. Still, you play a key role in protecting your own…
Strengthening emergency care by transforming clinical readiness
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System’s life-saving training recognized with perfect score When a medical emergency unfolds, seconds matter, and preparation makes the difference in emergency care. At VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB), a quiet but powerful transformation is happening behind the scenes, one that is strengthening clinical readiness…
Helping Veterans in tough moments with their suicide prevention safety plan
You can support a Veteran in your life by learning about their safety plan You can play an important role in a Veteran’s life by helping them with a suicide prevention safety plan. If a Veteran you care about has made a suicide attempt, shared thoughts of suicide, has a mental health condition that increases…