Across the country, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is transforming how health care is delivered to America’s Veterans—and strong leadership is essential to that mission. As the nation’s largest integrated health care system, VA provides care and services to millions of Veterans through an expansive network of medical centers, clinics and programs. To support…
Michael E. DeBakey VA Highlights Veteran’s family history
Echoes of sacrifice: Houston Veteran finds connection to WWII tragedy at VA On a recent brisk February morning, Navy Veteran Jeff Fisher sat in the waiting room at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), attending a routine medical appointment. As he navigated the familiar halls, an overhead announcement caught his attention: a Four…
Live Whole Health #309: Natural pain relief
Ready for a better way to manage your low back pain—no pills required? Gentle yoga might help! In 2017, the American College of Physicians shared a guideline for treating low back pain. They recommend trying non-drug options first for long lasting back pain. Low back pain is very common. The National Center for Complementary and…
Education programs strengthen VA’s health care workforce
VA celebrates Health Professions Education (HPE) Week 2026 Each year, VA celebrates Health Professions Education Week, when the department recognizes trainees, academic partners and education staff for the role they play in creating the next generation of health care professionals to serve Veterans and the nation. Every day, more than 124,000 health professions trainees—including nursing…
Hope and healing through vision rehabilitation
How personalized support helps Veterans adapt to vision loss For many, the prospect of blindness is daunting, often perceived as more life-altering than the loss of a limb. Vision loss can significantly impact a Veteran’s quality of life, affecting their independence, mobility and emotional well-being. Army Veteran William Eilers can attest to the impact of vision loss. A former art instructor, photographer and…
VA reaches milestones in lifesaving naloxone availability
Expanding access to antidote across the country to prevent overdose deaths among Veterans Veteran safety and well-being is at the center of everything we do at VA, and that is why naloxone is available at all health care facilities and Vet Centers nationwide. This initiative, aimed at combating opioid overdoses, marks a crucial milestone in…
Career support for military spouses
Military spouses are resilient, adaptable and highly skilled, but frequent relocations and shifting responsibilities can make it challenging to build and sustain a career. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers career support programs designed specifically for military spouses to provide resources that help them thrive no matter where military life takes them. If…
The women who shaped early Veteran mental health care
How women shaped the earliest systems of care for returning soldiers While the history of Veteran mental health in the United States is often told through policies and institutions, the contributions of women during its earliest and most formative years deserve special recognition. From organizing care on the ground to advocating for structural reform, these…
Warning signs and ways to support Veterans in crisis
How Veterans can look out for each other, and act when something feels off. Veterans look out for their own. You’ve probably noticed when a buddy wasn’t acting like themselves. Maybe they were pulling away, talking differently or seeming a little more run-down than usual. You don’t need to be a doctor or an expert to help in those moments. Being present, paying attention and knowing…
Veterans first: SVA and VA team up to support student Veterans
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recently shared how partnering with VA delivered real impact for student Veterans. During a recent Joint House and Senate Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Hearing, Tammy Barlet, SVA’s vice president of Government Affairs, emphasized the transformative impact of VA’s engagement at SVA’s 2026 National Conference (NatCon), held Jan. 8–10, in Colorado…
The torch and the baton: Passing the legacy of service from mother to daughter
For the transition from February’s Black History Month to March’s Women’s History Month, we’re honored to present the dynamic story of a mother-daughter duo that embodies the very best of both these months. Together, the women presented below have given over 33 combined years of military service, but their story isn’t just about time served—it’s…
Celebrating March as National Nutrition Month
Power your day with nutrition March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition.” Food is more than fuel, and it can shape how you feel, move and think. Making balanced choices at meals and snacks powers your body and supports long-term health. Including lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats in your meals…