Category: VA

Montana VA launched a new mobile medical unit in March to expand mental health treatment access to rural Veterans in Montana and parts of northern Wyoming. The unit will provide transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, a procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain in patients with treatment-resistant depression. “The opportunity to…

Get ready to celebrate gentle movement on World Tai chi & Qigong Day on April 27 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The event is celebrated in hundreds of cities in over 80 countries spanning six continents. Tai Chi is a gentle mind-body practice combining slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization. Rooted in the…

At the last Roll Call of Remembrance held mid-March at Central Iowa VA, Des Moines, approximately 65 attendees, family members, caregivers, friends and staff filed into the medical center auditorium to honor service members who passed away during the preceding three months. “Remembering them is the greatest affirmation we render.” They were joined by more…

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…