Category: VA

The holiday season, often celebrated as “the most wonderful time of the year,” can also be one of the more stressful times of year. Holiday gift shopping, running errands, decorating, spending time with extended family and attending large social gatherings can be expensive, taxing and overwhelming.  For many, this time of year can intensify mental…

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Yusuf Henriques, an Army Veteran and former combat medic, is the founder and CEO of IndyGeneUS AI, a genomics company on a mission to improve health equity by increasing representation of women and racial…

Two women Veterans recently bonded after sharing stories of their fertility struggles, and it wouldn’t have happened without a little help from Atlanta VA. “In my darkest days, Dr. Geisel pushed me,” said Climmie Cooper-Lewis, a 42-year-old Air Force Veteran who lives in Dallas, Georgia. Cooper-Lewis struggles with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, a back injury…

Navy Veteran Brenda Guevara’s technology journey highlights the importance of self-care and expression. For Guevara, putting on makeup is not just about looking good. It’s a crucial part of her daily routine that boosts her confidence. However, a disability made it challenging for her to hold her brushes steady and apply makeup independently. “People with…

Dr. Brandon Brooks, a podiatrist at Columbia VA, earned first place at the 10th Annual Conference of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons for his abstract: “DREADD: Diabetes-Related Extremity Amputation Depression & Distress.” Dr. Brandon Brooks This achievement marks his third consecutive first place win in national abstract competitions, solidifying his reputation as a leader…

Registration for the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic opens on Dec. 9 and runs through March 1, 2025. The 2025 clinic will take place Aug. 23-30 in San Diego, offering an extended opportunity for Veterans to partake in adaptive sports. Eligible Veterans can apply to attend the 2025 Summer Sports Clinic. All accepted Veterans will…

When you’re conducting your job search, there are a few questions you can ask yourself when you’re trying to figure out what kind of work environment might be right for you. What type of work environment makes you happy and productive? What motivates you to do your best work? You may already know the answers…

Taking care of a Veteran is a deeply rewarding role, yet it’s not without challenges. One of the struggles that often comes with this responsibility is the sense of isolation and loneliness. As a caregiver, you may find yourself so focused on the needs of the Veteran you love that you end up feeling alone,…

It took one major life event for Coast Guard Veteran Teresa Bowser to lose everything she had built and become homeless, practically overnight. In a happy twist of fate, it also took just one event to turn Bowser’s life back around. While sleeping in her vehicle, Bowser was approached by a police officer who started…

Columbia VA’s Outpatient Interdisciplinary Pain Program (OIPP) offers a holistic approach to managing chronic pain, addressing not only the physical aspects but also the emotional and psychological factors. This innovative program offers Veterans the tools and knowledge they need to manage their pain and improve their quality of life. Chronic pain can have a significant…

For Joy Smith, the news came like a crashing wave. The haunting phrase, “You have cancer,” was for her a journey filled with vulnerability, but also bravery: the Army Combat Medic Veteran and Ralph H. Johnson VA health care professional would go on to survive breast cancer not once, but twice. Smith’s second cancer diagnosis…

Throughout 2024, we shared information about Veteran suicide prevention, the Veterans Crisis Line and VA resources, programs and initiatives. All these articles were connected by our main tenets of suicide prevention: Suicide is preventable. You don’t have to be an expert to help a Veteran going through a challenging time, you just need to show…