Category: VA

In golf, each player competes individually against the rest of the field. A golf scramble is a team sport where players work as one team to compete against others in the field. Battle Creek VA’s recreation therapy hosted a low-vision golf scramble followed by lunch at Custer Greens on the VA campus. Five visually impaired Veterans…

National Hispanic Heritage Month began on Sept. 15, and during this celebration, we take time to share in the history, heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially our teammates and the Veterans we care for. All Veterans are unique, and we know that health care is not one-size-fits-all. By embracing diversity in our…

For nearly five hours, the Manna Student Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, was the location for an annual Suicide Prevention event. Hold On To Hope brings VA, DoD and community organizations together with hundreds of Veterans, service members, families, friends and health care professionals. The focus was simple… share the complexities of suicide. “The event was…

Bay Pines VA has reached its latest achievement, surpassing 23,000 Veterans registered to VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP). Twelve years ago, the launch of MVP began with a goal to reach one-million Veterans. More than 950-thousand Veterans have registered nationally. MVP is a national research program looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures…

Jesse Joseph Peña was born on Jan. 9, 1949, the son of Alvino Henry Peña and Jane Marie Peña of Davenport, Iowa. He was born in Moline, Illinois, and graduated from Assumption High School in 1967. He attended Palmer Junior College and Black Hawk College before enlisting in the Navy on June 10, 1968, in…

When Health Professions Trainee Dr. Michael Brands began his training with VA earlier this year, he had no idea he would present his research to over 140 doctors at VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations’ (OAA) Designated Education Officer (DEO) Conference in Chicago in August. Brands, a graduate of Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center School…

The application process for federal positions can feel like a job all on its own, and knowing that you’re competing against lots of other people for that coveted position can certainly add to the challenge. Even if you feel like you’re never going to get that VA job you’ve been seeking, we’re here to tell…

If your VA facility doesn’t offer a specific service, and if you can’t get an appointment in a timely manner, you may be eligible for community care. As a Veteran, you have more choices than ever when it comes to your health care. Your appointment can be in-person at a VA medical center, or you…

Yes, your brain needs a break! Researchers report that the average person has about 6,000 thoughts per day. We are always “up in our heads,” and our brains get tired of all that thinking, worrying, planning and just plain kvetching. Did you ever wonder if some of your thoughts are making you sick? In a…

The COVID-19 virus brought unprecedented challenges for VA, and the department has now released the latest Annex D report detailing VA’s supports for Veterans. The report covers the time period covered by the previously released Annex D Interim Report. The report includes descriptions of plans for moving forward after the conclusion of the public health…

One in eight women will have breast cancer, the most diagnosed cancer among American women. VA understands how startling that number can be, but we have your back when it comes to assessing your risk. While no direct link has been found between deployment and increased risk for breast cancer, we’ve heard your concerns and…

An Army Veteran and VA employee is living her life to the fullest after suffering with multiple health issues for years. Sabrina Jacobs attributes VA’s Whole Health for helping her make dramatic improvements. Jacobs served more than 26 years in the Army, including four combat tours as both enlisted soldier and commissioned officer. Years of…