Category: VA

Revolutionizing care Veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston will now experience enhanced surgical outcomes and quicker recovery times, thanks to the addition of two state-of-the-art surgical robots. The facility recently became the first VA to implement the new da Vinci 5 robotic systems, designed to improve precision and control…

“The sky is the limit” is a common phrase used to say that we can achieve anything and that our options are limitless. It may not always feel that way, especially on those hard days where everything seems to be going wrong. It can be easy to think that things are impossible rather than possible…

How VA virtual care helps a Long Island Veteran stay active, healthy, and independent A Long Island Veteran who served in the Army during the late 1960’s has spent the past several decades navigating serious health challenges. VA’s telehealth care options have transformed the way he manages his care. “I had two strokes when I…

A day of remembrance, unity and lasting traditions In the crisp morning air of Fayetteville, Ark., on Dec. 13, VA staff, Veteran-centric community partners and community members united for a profound and heartfelt annual event: Wreaths Across America. The day began with a solemn promise shared by 500 dedicated volunteers who gathered with a shared mission:…

Deployments are underway   VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., recently visited the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System as part of his tour of VA facilities in the process of bringing the new Federal Electronic Health Record Management (FEHRM) system online. View the On The Road With Dr. Paul Lawrence video to hear firsthand…

On the road to prevention The mobile mammography bus is back at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), continuing its mission to make breast cancer screenings easier and more accessible for Veterans. The mobile service, offered in partnership with CHI Memorial MaryEllen Locher Breast Center, provides on-site mammograms to eligible Veterans, eliminating the need to…

For procedures like colonoscopies   A decade ago, only a small number of specialists talked about Artificial intelligence (AI) regularly, and even then, it was surrounded by uncertainty. Now, AI shows up in almost every corner of daily life—from simple chat tools students use for homework to advanced applications in health care, research and national…

For Veteran living with depression   For Army Veteran Shirley Benoit, the battle with depression lasted more than a decade. Medications didn’t work and the side effects often made things worse. When she began Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy at VA, she finally found relief. “It was doing something for my depression,” Benoit said. “Now…

Schedule your mammogram today   Army Veteran Ann Hoffman received her first mammogram out of necessity, not choice. When her husband, a Navy and Army National Guard Veteran, went on Medicare and Tricare for Life in 2010, his insurance required her to get a mammogram.  She was 53 at the time and had never received…

Schedule a hearing test with VA   ‘Did you hear that?’ For years, Army Veteran Kevin McGovern’s answer to that question would be a resounding no. The 67-year-old’s hearing loss not only affected his ability to communicate with his family and friends but also to hear critical information over the dispatch while supervising the Kankakee…

A virtual safe environment For Veterans, leaving service can feel isolating. After spending years within a structured environment defined by shared purpose and camaraderie, transitioning to civilian life can be challenging. Finding a new sense of purpose and belonging is hard. In addition to these changes, some also may find themselves having to move geographically…

What is a medical foster home? A medical foster home is a private home, approved by VA, where a caregiver lives with up to three Veterans and helps with their daily needs. It’s an option for Veterans who want long-term care in a home-like setting instead of moving into a nursing home.  “Our service area…