Category: VA

Along with each new year comes the temptation to make New Year’s resolutions (fixed outcome goals). But what if we leave behind this all-or-nothing approach to finding health and well-being?  Who do you want to be in 2026? This year, instead of making a new year’s resolution, imagine who you want to be in the…

Driving innovation, improving Veteran care The 2025 Veterans Health Make-a-thon marks a pivotal phase in the Veterans Health Venture Studio (VHVS) pipeline, a visionary program founded and led by Dr. Indra Sandal, chief of Innovation at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. Building on the momentum of the highly successful 2025 Veterans Health Hackathon, a dynamic…

Virtual support leads to lasting results Diana Calero’s 16 years of service didn’t end when she took off her Navy uniform. She took on a new role as a Customs and Border Protection officer at Miami International Airport. Even with exhausting shifts, Calero was determined to take care of her health. She wanted to lose…

Veteran receives help through Virtual Health Resource Center Jim Smith, an Army Veteran and former tank unit commander, has seen plenty of change in his lifetime. He knows the value of resilience and embracing change. Today, technology is shaping his life for the better—through the power of telehealth services provided by VA. For Veterans like…

Discovering an effective vitamin B3-based treatment for reducing skin cancer in Veterans A VA study has shed new light on the effectiveness of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, in reducing skin cancer development. The study involved over 12,000 patients over 25 years who had previously been exposed to nicotinamide, the dietary supplement, and had…

Here’s how to take action to keep yourself safe from suicide and healthy going into the new year. In 2025, VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention shared dozens of resources for Veterans related to our top clinical priority of preventing Veteran suicide. These resources helped Veterans, caregivers and loved ones connect to support, recognize the signs…

Shedding light on the reality of Veteran homelessness and how we can make a difference “Homelessness is a choice.” You may have heard this sentiment from members of your community if they see a person holding a sign outside of a grocery store or knocking on a car window while stopped at a red light.…

A leader through it all Veteran Manuel Calo Jr.’s presence brings calmness to others. It’s his experience through the extremes of military life, personal loss and recovery that allows him to connect with others so thoughtfully. Time after time, he has chosen to turn his hardships into lessons for himself and other Veterans still searching…

The Honorable VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, Ph.D., appeared on VA’s internal program, the weekly “Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) Update” on Dec. 9. to discuss VA’s 2025 and accomplishments and goals for 2026. Lawrence discussed where he sees momentum in the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program as we approach year end, the importance…

Empowering women Veterans through tailored wellness support Army Veteran Audrey Barrett faced unexpected challenges after 14 years of service. She sustained injuries during her time in the military and after her service, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had major surgeries. It didn’t help that her life as a mom and graduate student in…

And strengthens siblings’ bond   Crystal Jackson, a medical professional and older sister, was out of state when she received an emergency call about her younger brother and Army Veteran, Cory Parrish. He experienced a seizure and sustained a neck fracture from falling at their home in Marina, California. At the time, Parrish was on…

The silent superheroes of quality improvement At VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS), a dedicated team works behind the scenes to enhance patient safety and care quality, much like the agents in the movie “Men in Black.” These health care professionals are always on the lookout, identifying and resolving issues with unseen precision to ensure…