Category: VA

Meet the Veterans who shared their stories of healing and strength at a Houston VA Breast Cancer Survivor Celebration. Pink sisters: Army Veteran Kathy Mackie and Navy Veteran Luz Cervantes. Kathy Mackie is a survivor. The Army Veteran, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, says she dug deep inside for the strength to battle…

In September, the Innovation, Development, Education, Advanced Implementation, Solutions Center for Innovation (IDEAS) at Central Virginia VA held its annual demo day, showcasing over 35 innovative projects aimed at improving Veteran care. Poster at IDEAS Center Demo Day The IDEAS demo day is designed to celebrate the work of VA’s employee innovators, engage local Veterans…

Navy Veteran Eddie first saw the rusted hull of the U.S.S. Arizona in 1955. For years he had wanted to visit the Arizona Memorial to salute and pay homage to the sailors lost in Pearl Harbor.   When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer it seemed as though he would never make it. But Dream…

Jan Klebukowski’s fascination with aviation and space began early, sparked by a visit to the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York and watching the moon landing on TV. His interest was further nurtured by attending Glen Cove South School, nicknamed “World of Tomorrow School,” which had its own planetarium and offered classes in model rocketry…

Thomas Wishart encourages his fellow Veterans to prioritize lung cancer screening. Thomas Wishart Wishart’s journey in the Navy began in 1970 when he served with the P3 Squadron as a mechanic and hydraulics specialist in California. Several years later, he transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat program in Virginia Beach, splitting his time between land and…

Women Veterans, we understand that vaccines and routine health check-ins can easily fall to the wayside. But now is actually a great time to look at your vaccine history and talk to your VA health care provider about which vaccines are right for you. As a woman, your health changes with time, age, reproductive life…

#OperationGreenLight for Veterans is a nationwide initiative that shows solidarity with America’s Veterans. From Nov. 4 to 11, buildings and homes across the country will light up green to recognize the sacrifice and strength of our Veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. The green light serves as a beacon of support, reminding…

Glenn D. Spivey, an Army Veteran living in North Carolina, is in treatment for prostate cancer. At 88, it’s not easy for him to drive up I-40 to come to the Durham VA for his treatments.  That’s why Durham VA provides cancer treatments at his home, via the National Oncology Program Close to Me Care delivery…

Each year, the federal government devotes billions of dollars to the noble goal of ending Veteran homelessness. It’s a big chunk of change and many wonder where exactly the money goes. That’s why we decided to break it down for you on the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast. What we’re spending We turned the tables a…

Decades after the Vietnam War, West Texas VA is still providing crucial medical care to Veterans suffering from the long-term effects of their wartime injuries. Veterans from all walks of life are ultimately touched by war. Some walk away unscathed, but for others the injuries last a lifetime. For Vietnam Veterans like Andres Rios, the…

The VA application process may be confusing to some, but as a federal agency, VA has a number of different rules and restrictions regarding the hiring process. While we’re always working to improve our response times, we still must follow those rules to ensure a fair opportunity for everyone involved. “We have different guidelines and…

VA understands that life after service is much different than while wearing the uniform. After leaving service, you become less physically active, have different eating habits, have started smoking, or you may have increased stress or other mental health concerns. Unfortunately, these factors play a big role in your risk for developing diabetes. In fact,…