Category: VA

A holiday tradition unfolds each year at Birmingham VA… the Christmas Caravan. The Alabama American Legion brings festive cheer to Veterans receiving care during the holiday season. The annual event has become a beacon of joy, generosity and community spirit. Wayne Turner and Ronald Bradstreet from the Alabama American Legion, longstanding Veteran advocates, orchestrated donations…

In the heart of the holiday season, an annual event stands out at the Sonny Montgomery VA, not just for its festive cheer but for the gesture of gratitude it extends toward those who have served our nation—the Christmas Shoppe for Veterans. Now in its twelfth year, the event is more than just a shopping…

Alongside doctors and nurses, VA’s own police, firefighters and first responders always stand ready to provide safe, secure environments for our Veterans. Their dedication is why VA Careers is a proud sponsor of this year’s SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, which will be played Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, at Southern Methodist University (SMU)’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium…

Low back pain is the most common pain experience. The majority of adults will experience low back pain in their lives; for most people it is short-lived and resolves on its own. For others, low back pain is an on-going concern that needs to be managed. Self-care tools can help reduce the frequency and duration…

It’s easy to feel like hibernating all winter. Some people don’t like going out in cold weather. Some worry about getting around in icy and snowy conditions. Some have trouble driving in the early and extended darkness. And for millions, seasonal affective disorder makes self-care more difficult. SAD is a mental health condition, most prevalent…

The sounds of renovation carry a hopeful tune at Bedford VA, where work will soon begin on a $15 million renovation, ushering in a new era of care for women Veterans. Women are the fastest growing demographic at Bedford VA, and now comprise nearly 1500 patients served. With increasing demand, hospital leaders recognized infrastructure needed…

December is a perfect time to learn about a versatile vegetable group and how to enjoy them during the holidays and beyond. The benefits of root vegetables are often undervalued or misunderstood. Traditional root vegetables grow underground and include carrots, radishes, rutabaga, beets, parsnips and turnips. Tubers are another common root vegetable and include potatoes,…

At the 2023 VA Innovation Experience, 15 VHA Shark Tank competition finalists pitched their innovations to a panel of VA leaders for the chance to spread their innovation to another VA facility. The competition hosted over 350 in-person attendees and was livestreamed at VA facilities nationwide. The 10 winning practices provide innovative solutions that aim to…

Medina Ayala-Lo never imagined the 10-minute walk from her Brooklyn high school to the Marine Corps recruiting office would forever change her life. “I think my motivation for joining the military came down to practicality. I knew my mom couldn’t afford college and there wouldn’t be any scholarships, so I had to make a plan…

Working in primary care at VA means being on the front lines of our mission to serve Veterans. “You’ll be caring for those who have served our nation in wartime and peacetime. What greater satisfaction can you get from practicing medicine?” asked Samuel Wright, a national health care recruitment consultant. But our mission isn’t the…

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the results of the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, the annual effort to estimate the number of Americans, including Veterans, without permanent housing. The data showed that on a single night in January 2023, there were 35,574 Veterans who experienced homelessness in the U.S. This reflects a…

Phillip Morales has one of the most infectious and heartiest laughs. A joyful sound of gratitude resonates from deep within as he shares his story of recovery, renewal and healing… a journey that would reconnect him with his roots and usher him along his path to a new beginning. “I’m from the Gila River Indian…