Category: VA

Diffusion of Excellence is thrilled to announce the 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition Finalists. This is the eighth annual iteration of Shark Tank, which helps VA employees spread their work to impact even more Veteran lives. This year, 15 Finalists were selected from 286 applicants and they will each pitch their innovations live at the…

It’s easier than ever for Veterans to apply for and receive medical debt relief. If you are concerned about your medical copayment debt and want to seek relief, you can now apply online at VA’s new online debt access page: https://www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/. VA has simplified and streamlined the application process to allow Veterans better access to…

It is well known that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast means “breaking the fast.” This meal can help jumpstart your metabolism and provide you with energy to start your day. One benefit of eating breakfast is improved mood. When this meal is made up of healthy nutrients like complex carbohydrates…

For Houston Veteran Rena Dugat, the Golden Age Games are as much about love and remembrance as they are competition. It December 2004 when Dugat’s world came crashing down, as her daughter Tina, a mother to four children, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “I was told it was an unusual type of cancer,” said Dugat.…

VA recognizes the critical role that family caregivers play in enabling Veterans to stay in their homes, surrounded by their loved ones. That’s why VA has expanded the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include caregivers of eligible Veterans of all service eras. Now available to caregivers of eligible Veterans from all…

A collegiate level electrical engineering exam would be intimidating for most, but for Army Veteran Rodney Bennett, no test his professors could give compare to those he has already been through. Especially when it comes to getting the basic nutrition he needs. Bennett had always been an outstanding student. As he prepared to graduate from…

We often feature job search tips for recent graduates just starting their careers and for transitioning military personnel returning to civilian life, but what about experienced professionals looking for a change? If you’re at the midpoint of your career and looking for a new challenge, or looking to apply your experience in a new setting,…

Housebound Veterans from the Coatesville VA are learning everyone can be a winner when they combine virtual and in-person health care visits. Susan Gallagher is a Navy Veteran who served from 1977 until 1983 in Virginia and Pennsylvania. She has been receiving hybrid care, both virtual and in-person, since coming to Coatesville VA through Home…

Recent hurricanes have caused incredible destruction, leaving millions to grapple with the devastating impact and loss of life. Veterans and their families in regions affected by hurricanes Fiona and Ian can access VA resources and benefits to get the support they need after a natural disaster. One of the first places you can visit to…

Each September, we raise awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies that can happen at any time with little or no warning. September 25-30 is the last week of the annual National Preparedness Month. This annual readiness campaign is committed to putting people first and reaching communities where they live and work. This year’s…

In this four-part series on VA’s Emergency Preparedness Simulation efforts, you’ll learn how simulation and emergency preparedness professionals are using simulation to build collective strategies that mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from tragedies impacting Veterans and their communities, helping to fulfill VA’s commitment to Veteran care and its Fourth Mission. The final installation of this…

In February 2020, Thomas Dawson, BioMedical equipment support specialist at Houston VA, was diagnosed with kidney disease. At first, the diagnosis didn’t alarm the Army Veteran who served two tours in Iraq with the 1st Calvary Division as a tank crew man. “I really didn’t know much about kidney disease, so I wasn’t really concerned about…