Category: VA

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…

This year brought many changes to the federal job application process, transforming how candidates navigate applying to careers in public service. In this edition of the Year in Review, we’re taking another look at 2025’s biggest application changes and what they mean for job seekers.  Merit Hiring Plan reforms  In 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the Merit Hiring Plan in hopes of addressing inefficiencies in the federal hiring process…

Life-changing relief Orlando VA Healthcare System’s (OVAHCS) Pelvic Health Physical Therapy program is transforming the lives of Veterans by addressing a sensitive but common issue: pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When those muscles are too…