Category: VA

Vietnam Veteran David Chee a is among the many Native American Veterans and service members who have dedicated their lives to military service. Chee proudly served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne, parachuting into the jungles of Vietnam. Chee now owns a home he purchased on Navajo tribal lands with the help of the VA Native American Direct…

Cold and flu season is here. Many people want to support their immune system to help protect themselves from illness. The immune system fights off germs, like bacteria and viruses, that can make you sick. A balanced diet supports your immune system to help keep you healthy, but it doesn’t completely prevent illness. There are…

Medical support assistants are responsible for screening and greeting Veterans, as well as interviewing them in preparation for their appointments. They also answer phones, relay messages to the clinical staff, and schedule both initial and follow-up appointments (or reschedule, as the need arises). “I attend [to] Veterans. I help them with their appointments. I help…

At Richmond VA, the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) is turning challenges into practical solutions for Veterans. Brian Burkhardt, OAM site lead, and Seth Hills, clinical rehabilitation engineer, have been pivotal in the development of the Veteran Integrated Chair Kiosk (VICK). This innovative wheelchair-cleaning device aims to enhance Veterans’ experiences at VA hospitals by ensuring…

For many, the holidays are filled with joy and connection, but for others, they can stir feelings of loss or loneliness. The absence of loved ones or familiar traditions can make the season bittersweet, leaving some longing for comfort.  It’s in challenging times that gratitude shines the brightest. It’s not about denying grief—it’s about finding…

While Veterans were in line to receive food from Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA, volunteers and staff greeted them with warm smiles and gave them a variety of healthy food to take home. More than 160 Veterans drove through the line, collecting tomatoes, green peppers, bread and Mountain Dew. Promoting wholesome diets Cristina Elizondo, Food…

For many, bladder health problems go unnoticed until symptoms get worse. It can feel embarrassing to talk about bladder issues, but addressing your symptoms early and seeking help from a health care provider can mean significant relief and major improvements in your everyday life. This Bladder Health Awareness month, we want to highlight the importance…

Indiana Veterans: Need assistance with a concern? “One Indiana Call Line” connects you to a patient advocate. VA announced the launch of the One Indiana Call Line as its newest patient advocacy resource for Indiana Veterans, Veteran Services Organizations and Congressional offices. The new centralized number will serve as a one-stop point of advocacy for…

It’s open enrollment season. Now through Dec. 7, millions of Americans can select 2025 Medicare plans. If you’re currently enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA) or may be eligible, your Medicare status can impact your CHAMPVA benefits. CHAMPVA eligibility CHAMPVA is a health care benefits program through VA that shares…

Prior to joining VA as a human resources specialist, Veena Muralidhara earned a master’s degree in economics. However, instead of immediately entering the workforce, she prioritized raising her daughter After her daughter left for college, she sought a new direction that would also add structure to her day. That led her to a corporate job,…

During World War II, Dr. Willem Kolff revolutionized medical science by creating the first ‘artificial kidney’ from everyday items like juice cans, sausage casings and parts of an old washing machine. This wartime innovation laid the foundation for modern dialysis, a lifesaving treatment for kidney failure patients. Today, VA is making improvements to dialysis that…

In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, host Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with Dr. Micaela Cornis-Pop, a speech language pathologist and national program manager for VA’s Polytrauma System of Care, and Dr. Joel Scholten, a physician and the executive director for VA’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program Office.…