Category: VA

In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, host Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses PTSD and lethal means safety with Dr. Joseph Simonetti, an addiction medicine physician and clinician investigator with the VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center.   Lethal means safety and PTSD Lethal means are objects or tools that someone…

Whether your thoughts pop all over like popcorn or you feel stuck in a single thought, you can benefit from mindfulness. Simply put, mindfulness is being present and aware without passing judgment. You give yourself the gift of undivided attention without criticism. One way to find focus and practice mindfulness is through mindful breathing. Try…

Gulf Coast VA is proud to be one of six VA medical centers participating in a groundbreaking initiative that uses technology to foster connection and improve well-being for Veterans. Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Innerworld and VA Immersive, the hospital is evaluating the potential of a metaverse-enabled peer social support platform. This…

According to the National Eye Institute, 4.2 million Americans ages 40 and older are visually impaired. Of these, 3 million have low vision. By 2030 when the last baby boomers turn 65, the number of Americans who have visual impairments is projected to reach 7.2 million with 5 million having low vision. For Veterans who…

VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients week is right around the corner.  The annual VA National Salute to Veteran Patients program began in 1978 when VA took over sponsorship of a program started in 1974 by the humanitarian organization, No Greater Love. VA has many opportunities to volunteer The Center for Development and Civic Engagement…

Working at VA means that anesthesiologists have an opportunity to enjoy more time to focus on patients and to develop meaningful relationships with colleagues. “VA offers the opportunity to be part of an all-encompassing team of professionals with a singular goal, which is to provide unparalleled medical service to those who have served our nation,”…

As tax season approaches, many Veterans begin gathering their necessary financial documents and consulting with tax professionals. VA wants Veterans to know they may qualify for special tax breaks and free assistance programs to help them navigate the filing process and maximize their returns. Whether a Veteran files their taxes independently or uses a tax…

Bay Pines VA’s Chief of Pulmonary Dr. Stephen Clum was part of a multi-disciplinary team that performed the first bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) surgery at the Bill Young VA. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a progressive and often painful disease that damages the airways and lungs. It is the…

The Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) program is a critical VA benefit that provides Veterans with no-cost career counseling, assessment, education planning and guidance resources unique to their circumstances. PCPG provides transitioning service members, Veterans and eligible beneficiaries with tailored education and career services, including resume writing, interview skills help and referrals to VA…

Orlando VA is leading the way in innovative care for Veterans with a new tele-dentistry program that leverages virtual technology to streamline dental evaluations. This pilot program focuses on Veterans with oral lesions and enables timely and convenient dental assessments that reduce wait times and minimizes the need for in-person appointments. By combining dental expertise…

Taryn, a two-year-old female Labrador Retriever, recently joined the staff at Birmingham VA as a trained and certified facility dog. Taryn She works alongside her partners, Physical Therapist Leesa Miles and Occupational Therapist Casey Church, daily at the Birmingham VA clinic, assisting their patients during physical and occupational therapy treatments.  Leesa, Taryn and Casey are…

This National Women Physicians Day, discover how VA is transforming health care through the leadership of inspiring physicians. From pioneering leaders like Dr. Margaret Craighill to today’s innovators, physicians at VA are reshaping Veteran care while enjoying benefits that support their own well-being. Just ask Dr. Nisha Mehta, who found the perfect life/work balance. Seeking…