A coordinated response that restored safety, stability and hope What began as a chance encounter became an all-hands-on-deck effort to help a Veteran facing overwhelming hardship. While walking the halls of VA Augusta Health Care System’s Uptown campus on April 17, 2026, Julie Cole, a VA infection control nurse, noticed a man standing with two…
Standing strong after the storm: Natural disasters fraud prevention
Communities face enormous challenges after a natural disaster. Scammers often target Veterans and their families when they’re most overwhelmed. They may pose as insurance adjusters, contractors, landlords or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives to steal your money, personal information or insurance benefits. Help protect yourself and your family from scammers If you are contacted…
Employ the Contract Buy-Out Program to make the jump to VA
If you’ve been looking for a change of pace, but you still owe your current employer time on a service contract, VA has an opportunity that might be just what you’re looking for. Through our Contract Buy-Out Program (CBOP), qualified clinicians looking to make the jump to VA can do so by joining the team…
The Veterans Crisis Line isn’t only for a suicide crisis
Reaching out early is a smart move, not a last resort. The Veterans Crisis Line is there for whatever you’re going through. Suicide prevention doesn’t always start with a call to the Veterans Crisis Line. It can start with a single conversation, on a regular day, before things ever reach a breaking point. Here’s something…
Live Whole Health #329: A simple sleep routine for snoozing smarter
About one-third of U.S. adults—around 30%—report getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. This can affect mood, energy and health, according to the World Health Organization. What’s the problem? Some people struggle to fall asleep, others wake up during the night, and some wake up earlier than they want. Even people…
Housing and support helped Veteran rebuild his life after addiction
VA social workers connect Veterans to housing, healthcare and community Gregory Searls never could’ve imagined that one of the hardest chapters of his life would come after his service, not during it. That chapter in his life was marked by housing instability and addiction; he never saw it coming. He proudly served in the Navy…
Don’t give up before the miracle: One Veteran’s return to family
A Navy Veteran fought to rebuild his life and his family’s trust There was a time when Robert Bell was living day to day, doing what he could to get by. Today, he’s built a life surrounded by the family he fought to reconnect with. Bell served in the Navy for two and a half…
Never giving up: Rocky Fernandez’s path to engineering
A story of determination, recovery and purpose Seven years ago, Rocky Fernandez’s life changed in an instant. The 40-year-old Army Veteran was in school, working toward his future, when a car accident left him paralyzed and threw his life plans off course. What followed were years of grueling challenges, including multiple long hospital stays, a…
VA’s visionary careers in eye care
Help Veterans see a brighter future Vision plays a vital role in a Veteran’s quality of life, affecting everything from independence and mobility to overall health and well-being. At the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ophthalmologists, optometrists and other eye care professionals are helping shape the future of vision care through cutting-edge technologies, groundbreaking research and patient-centered treatment approaches. For clinicians seeking…
Southern Arizona VA sees surge as more Veterans enroll in VA health care
More Veterans Signing Up: Southern Arizona VA Reports 6.5% Enrollment Increase in FY2026 The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) Eligibility and Enrollment team has announced a 6.5% increase in Veteran enrollments so far in fiscal year 2026, a significant rise that supports the Choose VA initiative, a national effort to increase Veteran awareness…
Live Whole Health #328: Your body, your home
You only get one body, and yours carries you through every experience, challenge and moment of joy. How are you caring for the body you live in? Are you offering kindness and patience? Or treating your body like an adversary? Your body is not just a physical structure; it’s your home. How you nourish it,…
Never lost hope: A journey through illness, homelessness and healing
A Veteran regains independence through determination and support from VA For Benjamin Parsons, movement has always been an important part of his life. After losing his wife of 19 years, the Navy Veteran walked 5 – 7 miles a day with his beloved Belgian Malinois, finding comfort, routine and healing in every step. Those daily…