With almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States residing in rural communities, ensuring that they receive quality health care 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 the Butler…
Green Beret’s path through VA’s Polytrauma System
Retired Master Sgt. Jonathan Lu turns personal struggle into mission to support Veterans A decorated Green Beret whose career nearly ended in a parachute accident has turned a near-fatal fall and years of hidden trauma into an example of how VA’s Polytrauma System of Care (PSC) provides high-quality, interdisciplinary wrap-around care. Johnathan Lu overseeing pre-jump…
Live Whole Health #311: Five tips to a healthier workday
Find your focus, fuel your day: Five ways to feel better at work Civilian work life can feel worlds away from military structure, but the same skills that got you through long days in uniform can help you thrive at your job now. Whether you’re a Veteran, spouse or caregiver, your resilience and sense of…
VA announces winners of the 2025 Veterans Health Administration Patient Experience Awards
Driven by a commitment to those who served, VA has announced the winners of the 2025 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Patient Experience (PX) Awards, honoring VA medical centers and health care systems nationwide that deliver exceptional, Veteran‑centered care. These top‑performing facilities set the standard for putting Veterans first by building trust, improving access and consistently…
Find the PTSD treatment that’s right for you
The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid helps you find the right path Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) looks different for everyone. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your clinician and find the treatment that’s right for you. The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid (PTSDTDA) helps you learn about treatment options, compare the ones you like and…
Dr. Margaret Craighill: A trailblazer in military and Veteran medicine
Pioneering leadership that transformed women’s roles in military medicine When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, women across the nation mobilized to support the war effort. Among them was trailblazer Margaret Craighill, a physician who left her role as dean of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania to serve her country in…
Meet a VA Nursing Resident: Niosha Motahari
Access to high quality, timely health care requires a skilled nursing workforce. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides clinical training to more than 25,000 nursing students annually. Bringing compassionate care to our Veterans is a team of skilled, dedicated nursing residents like Niosha Motahari, a Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Resident (PBRNR) at the Michael…
A leader’s journey: Chief Veterans Experience Officer Lynda C. Davis, Ph.D.
During Women’s History Month, we honor the women who served our nation in uniform and who are also shaping the future of Veterans’ health care and policy. At VA, Women Veteran leaders are not symbolic voices, they are institutional leaders who bring lived experience, military culture and a deep understanding of our sister Veterans directly…
Veterans: Make kidney disease screening a priority
More than 1.4 million Veterans enrolled in VA health care are living with chronic kidney disease, a key focus during World Kidney Month March is World Kidney Month. What better time to ask your VA provider about your risk for kidney disease? Most don’t “feel bad” until the later stages of kidney disease, so screening…
Freedom250: Marine Corps Veteran Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, Jr.
Marine Corps Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, Jr. is one of the greatest legends in Marine Corps history. Barnum arrived in Vietnam in December 1965, a first lieutenant serving in fire support with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. His company provided rear security for battalion movement out of the mountains. Within days…
The Lost Battalion: Nelson Miles Holderman
Nelson Miles Holderman—commander of Company L, 160th Infantry, 40th Infantry Division—was one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. At some point in 2017-2018, his unit was sent overseas to replace Company K, one of the nine companies of the 77th Division. During the war, Holderman’s battalion became encircled by German forces in the…
The Chosin Few: Marine Corps Cpl. Lee Hugh Phillips
In fall 1950, Cpl. Lee Hugh Phillips found himself in the rugged, sub-freezing terrain of Korea. He was a squad leader in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. Marching north with his fellow Marines toward the Chosin Reservoir, he would soon see some of the fiercest fighting of the Korean War. On Nov. 4, 1950,…