Category: VA

Last week, March 11-15, health professions trainees, Veterans and clinical staff in VA medical centers across the country took time to celebrate Health Professions Education (HPE) Week through special events and award ceremonies. HPE Week is an annual campaign to recognize the contributions of VA faculty, health professions trainees, clinical educators, academic partners and Veterans…

Each year, VA joins the Nation to observe and celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 21 – 27, 2024. As part of National Volunteer Week, VA invites everyone in the community to explore ways to give back to Veterans any time of the year. Serving in your community and volunteering are powerful ways to make a positive…

G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA in Jackson, Miss. recently became the first hospital in Mississippi to implant a Biotronik Amvia cRTP (pacemaker), marking a significant advancement in patient care. A pacemaker monitors the heart’s rhythm, detects irregularities and corrects them with electrical impulses. This particular device differs from other implantable pacemakers in that it helps the heart’s…

Around half of America’s Veterans are 65 years or older, meaning VA serves an increasingly aging population of Veterans. Physically active older adults are less likely to experience falls and related injuries. However, over 80% of Veterans who are age 65 years and older are not regularly physically active. VA strives to reduce health disparities…

VA is offering updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2023-2024 season, including an additional dose for people 65 years and older. The updated vaccines target more recent COVID-19 strains. Due to changes in the virus, it is important to get the updated vaccine. Updated vaccines are available free of charge to VA health care employees and…

From counseling to emergency services, our psychologists do whatever it takes to help Veterans reclaim their mental and emotional freedom. At VA, you have the opportunity to practice in several specialized areas, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries and serious mental illness. VA psychologists can take on a leadership role or work in…

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 with difficult content, when appropriate, to promote a culture that is safe, welcoming and…

March 18-22 is LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week. At VA, we serve our Veterans with the equitable, inclusive, and respectful health care you deserve. Today, VA provides care to more than six million Veterans with a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. And a growing proportion of VA users are LGBTQ+ Veterans—with over 104,000 who…

Veterans in the “coping with pain” class I teach are often frustrated. Many were frustrated with their families for not being supportive enough, with their employers for not being understanding, and with their health care teams for not being able to cure their pain. I noticed these Veterans’ strongest frustration was usually with themselves and…

For years, Air Force Veteran Deanna King struggled with fatigue and exhaustion. After seeking help at Michael E. DeBakey VA in Houston and receiving a new device designed to treat sleep apnea, she sleeps like a baby.    “I was a walking zombie. I would often wake myself up because of snoring, but I really thought…

Bay Pines VA has announced the next class of honorees for the Women Veteran Wall display as part of its salute to Women’s History Month. The theme for the new honorees is “The Courage to Keep Fighting,” which acknowledges each Veteran’s service and their ongoing fight against cancer.  “Our support for women Veterans has never…

Veo Jessie joined the military looking for answers and ended it as a Prisoner of War (POW) survivor. Jessie decided at the age of 15 to join the military to uncover the truth about how his brother, a serviceman, had died. After telling the recruiter he was 17, he began his journey as a soldier.…