At the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a career of caring doesn’t stop at healing the body. Veterans who have given so much in service to our country often face unique and difficult challenges adapting to civilian life, challenges that can go well beyond the physical. Just as our physicians and specialists heal the body, we also recognize the…
Air Force Veteran adaptive skier conquers the slopes—without poles
Disabled Veteran finds freedom through adaptive sports For Air Force Veteran Salvador Vasquez, the National Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is about more than just skiing; it’s about reclaiming strength and confidence after devastating injuries. Now in his fourth year attending the clinic, the Gulf War Veteran continues to push his limits in new ways. This year, that challenge meant skiing…
A life of service continues at the Humble VA clinic
From the barracks to the exam room: How a physician assistant is giving back to Veterans When Stewart Miller walks into the Humble VA Clinic each morning, he carries with him something most health care providers simply can’t offer their patients: 27 years of shared military experiences. Miller is a physician assistant (PA) at Michael…
From uniform to unforgettable: The story of Navy Veteran Mayumi Kimura
Mayumi Kimura didn’t have a plan. She just kept saying yes. There’s a green fish shirt somewhere out there. It’s ugly, scratchy, the kind of thing you wore because the job required it and not because you had a choice. For Kimura, that shirt changed everything. She was 18, working a hostess stand at a…
Warrior University opens the door to $20,000 Veteran business grants
Editor’s note: Sharing of 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 For Veteran entrepreneurs ready to compete for serious capital, Warrior Rising’s Warrior University program is the next step. The summer session runs June…
VA2K: It’s a nationwide movement
An opportunity for exercise, fun and service The VA2K is more than just a walk—it’s a movement that brings people together for a powerful cause. Every May, VA healthcare facilities nationwide host this 1.24‑mile walk to inspire physical activity and support Veterans experiencing homelessness. It’s short enough to fit into a lunch break and meaningful…
Answer the call to serve Veterans: VA is hiring contact representatives
Every interaction matters at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Behind every answered question, resolved claim and guided conversation is a dedicated professional like you helping Veterans and their families access the benefits and care they’ve earned. VA is urgently seeking 113 contact representatives within the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) to serve as primary access points for critical services, including referrals, authorizations, eligibility,…
You could be losing thousands of dollars on your home loan
Refinancing a VA loan may offer Veterans a powerful option to lock in a lower interest rate, refinance a non-VA loan into a VA-backed loan, and/or get cash back from the equity they have in their home. Veterans can save hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of their loan with an interest rate reduction or get up to 100% of their home equity in cash to be used…
LiveWholeHealth #319: Use local produce for this bangin’ quesadilla recipe
Spring is here, and that means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are growing in our local communities. Picking produce from your garden or visiting a Farmers’ Market is a great way to support your Whole Health by adding colorful, nutrient-rich foods to your meals. There are many good reasons to shop at Farmers’ Markets.…
Navy Veteran found healing in Vietnam after 54 years
Phil Yates’s volunteer mission to former war zone In 1972, Phil Yates found himself at Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. He was operating with Carrier Air Wing 3, known as the “Battle Axe,” aboard the carrier USS Saratoga. While the Vietnam War raged around him, the hostile environment and constant destruction left deep…
It’s hot. Here’s how to stay safe with your medicines this summer
Summer is finally here! For many of us, that means more time outside, physical activity and exposure to the heat. Whether you’re splashing in the pool with friends and family, tending the garden or even just running errands on a sunny afternoon, it’s important to know how your medicines can affect your body’s response to…
Innovative dental treatments advancing Veteran care
Residents and providers learn to use the latest technology Army Vietnam Veteran Anthony DiPrima lost all his teeth at 19 and avoided many foods and smiling for decades. After qualifying for VA dental care, DiPrima said a new dental implant transformed his life. “The last year has been fantastic,” he said. “It used to be…