Category: VA

Gulf Coast VA’s Innovation Team and Improvement Programs partnered to host the inaugural Innovation & Improvement Expo in mid-March. This was the first event on this scale of collaboration among the innovation and improvement programs. The expo showcased projects and education that have improved Veteran and employee experiences and metrics, as well as provided breakout…

Women Veterans are the fastest growing group using VA services, and VA is expanding care to better serve their needs, from primary care to specialized care, including mental health, chronic conditions and reproductive health. While women have served in the military since the American Revolution, around 75% of active-duty service members are men. But as…

At VA, there are many different careers available to assist and support Veterans. Law enforcement is one of them. Navy Veteran Nicholas Stark knew he wanted to work with Veterans after he retired, but he wasn’t sure what this looked like or how to accomplish it.  As his military retirement date came closer, Stark learned…

The application process for jobs at VA can sometimes seem complicated, and it doesn’t help that there’s a lot of bad advice out there muddying the waters. That’s why we’re here: to bust some of the most common myths that seem to permeate discussions about applications and help you get on the right track with…

Have you ever been told you are allergic to penicillin? Maybe a childhood rash led a physician to annotate your medical records for years with a penicillin allergy label? That might not be accurate. “Many of our Veterans carry a penicillin allergy label that is outdated and possibly incorrect,” said Dr. Reuben Arasaratnam, staff physician…

Air Force Veteran Ares Paige has been doing a lot of interviews about his work with the homeless and LGBTQ+ communities. As a black, transgender man, Paige knows the power of seeing someone who looks like you when you often feel invisible. He knows those facing homelessness may be more likely to ask for help…

Caring for your heart encompasses more than just physical well-being. It’s also about nurturing one’s emotional self and recognizing the intricate connection this has on your overall health. This sentiment rang out in tune with some great country music at the inaugural “Hearts, Boots, and Heels in Harmony” event Feb. 10, hosted by the Veterans…

The following story includes discussions of sensitive topics like sexual harassment and sexual assault. VA acknowledges it may be difficult to engage with this content. It is our priority to make our stories educational where we can engage empathetically and thoughtfully. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) is dedicated to raising awareness about sexual…

Help yourself and others May 15 by joining the 14th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll. This annual event is held to inspire VA employees to incorporate healthy activity into their workday while supporting VA homelessness programs. The walk is designed to be covered in about 20 minutes or during a lunch break. The event, which…

Access to dental care. Free legal services. A crucial grant program to prevent Veteran homelessness. These are just a few of the expansions that have come out of VA’s annual Project CHALENG survey since it began 30 years ago. Project CHALENG national lead Jessica Blue-Howells joined us on the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to discuss…

Our primary care physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) work to deliver high-quality care to Veterans nationwide. The work we do is important, and the people who do that work aren’t shy about sharing how meaningful it is to them. “I deliver care from the perspective of wanting the Veterans to be treated…

Rick Tomme spent over two decades serving his country in the Air Force. It was a life he dedicated himself to, a life filled with discipline, camaraderie and purpose. But even in the structured life of a military career, hoarding was consuming him. Like many service members, Tomme moved frequently, accumulating a lot of personal…