Category: VA

VA Secretary Doug Collins outlined key accomplishments at VA during the first 30 days of the Trump administration, emphasizing the department’s commitment to prioritizing Veterans. “The Veteran is back first at the VA,” Collins stated. “We’re putting the Veteran first in everything we do.” A key change includes eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives,…

As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the long and distinguished history of Veterans who have served our nation with dedication, as well as the pioneers who have advocated for improvements in the delivery of benefits and care for Veterans. From Dr. Howard Kenney to Vernice Ferguson, from Viola Johnson to Jesse Brown and beyond, Black leaders have been a force…

Army Veteran Larry Scales has been living with heart issues for years. The 68-year-old Texan had his first heart attack in 1999 and, over the years, he worked hard to improve his health.  Despite quitting smoking and watching his diet, he had a second heart attack in 2015 and got a pacemaker. After having a third…

VA Secretary Doug Collins released a video from his office today addressing misinformation circulating about Veterans’ benefits and VA health care. In a direct and candid message, Collins refuted several rumors he described as “whoppers.” Collins began by reaffirming VA’s commitment to prioritizing Veterans.  “We’re putting Veterans number one back at the VA,” he said.…

For many Veterans, growing older may mean having a harder time getting around, needing more support in your daily life and requiring more frequent trips to the doctor for care. These changes might affect what makes you happy, like being independent, exercising, traveling and spending time with family. This is why it is important to…

Pacific Island VA holds two tai chi classes on Tuesdays at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei. The classes are a weekly event that started virtually and moved to face-to-face recently. The local classes are coordinated by members of the Whole Health, physical therapy and recreation therapy programs. Tai chi is an ancient…

Building a great resume that captures the attention of recruiters and hiring managers can be tough. However, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you better set yourself up for success. When you’re building a new resume, or reviewing an existing one, take a moment to pause and ask yourself a…

Recent research shows that factors like your housing situation, environment and access to resources can influence your heart health. Access to health care, stress levels, availability of grocery stores with healthy options and local attitudes toward healthy behaviors all play a role in your ability to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. While it’s not always possible…

Simple choices throughout the day can make a steady impact on our health. Being aware of our diet or adding in a bit of exercise to make healthy lifestyle choices improves our health. In fact, nearly 80% of heart disease and stroke events are preventable. While many people aim for large lifestyle changes, having a…

When Hampton VA announced an extended renovation project impacting the local pharmacy, immediate concern spread among the staff. The pharmacy would be out of commission, leaving the question: How would Veterans with cancer continue care without interruption? The answer? A modest trailer parked behind the medical center, a Mobile Compounding Pharmacy (MCP), provided by VA’s…

For Air Force Veteran Justin Cheatham, life after military service was an uphill battle. He was a former E-3 firefighter stationed at Herbert Field in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Today, he credits Orlando VA‘s Whole Health program, a renewed faith and an unexpected passion for competitive bearding with saving his life. Cheatham faced challenges that…

Robert Kral was born on Feb. 28, 1926, in Highland Park, Illinois. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1943 and trained as an aviation radioman. After graduation, he was called to serve in the Korean War. His C Company, 461 Infantry Battalion, was sent to support the 5th Republic…