More than 141,000 Veterans receive their care at Tennessee Valley VA, supporting the needs of Veterans across 55 counties in middle Tennessee, 13 in southern Kentucky and five in northern Georgia. It is a mission that would not be accomplished without volunteers. Gary Richmond Four-hundred twenty-three volunteers support the Center for Development and Civic Engagement…
Category: VA
Current Veterans Administration (VA) news and information
Live Whole Health #256: Unlock relaxation with intentional breathing
What is free, requires no equipment or facility, and takes only a few minutes to create changes in your mind and body? Breathing! As it turns out, the fastest way to shift from a “fight or flight” to a “rest and digest” state is something you already do all day, every day. We’re just going…
Veteran’s path from homeless to homeowner
The list of people who helped Veteran Rosa Terry go from homeless to owning a home is a long one. From the VA nurse who first told her about the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to the psychologist who helped her get a handle on her posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the social workers who…
Clinical Resource Hub increases Veterans’ access to care
As one VA employee can attest, Clinical Resource Hubs can bridge gaps in health care coverage. Dr. Samara Martinez is no stranger to military culture and what it means to serve. Born at Darnall Army Hospital at Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, her family’s military lineage dating back to World War II shaped her passion…
Veteran homelessness reaches record low, decreasing by 7.5% since 2023
On Dec. 27, 2024, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annouced the results of the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, the annual effort to estimate the number of Americans, including Veterans, without permanent housing. The data show that on a single night in January 2024 there were 32,882 Veterans who experienced homelessness in the…
Veteran-centered innovation at 2024 VA Innovation Experience
Nearly 700 innovators from across the country gathered in October for the 2024 VHA Innovation Experience (iEX), hosted by VHA’s Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning. This year’s theme, “Collaborate for Change,” showcased experiences that included expert panel discussions, breakout sessions and an exhibit hall format that enabled attendees to experience firsthand the future of…
Bringing services closer to Veterans with mobile care
VA’s Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program is a rapidly growing initiative transforming access to specialized health care for Veterans in rural areas. MoPOC provides state-of-the-art orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services for Veterans with amputations and other mobility impairments who may face challenges traveling to larger VA medical centers. Services for Veterans with amputations…
A pharmacist career is waiting for you at VA
On Jan. 12, National Pharmacist Day offers us an opportunity to recognize the importance of pharmacists and how much of an impact you can make on the health and well-being of the Veterans we serve with the unique benefits available to pharmacists at VA. “This is the greatest place to work for, where you can…
Marine Veteran creates dance to honor her late husband
After losing her father and her husband, a Marine Corps Veteran created a dance to honor them. From the discipline of Marine Corps boot camp to the compassionate corridors of VA, Veteran Mary Jean Houlahan has always found her purpose in service. Inspired by female Marines who visited her college campus, Houlahan embarked on a…
Sports4Vets registration season is here
Sports4Vets registration season is here. Every step forward is a victory for Veterans who are up for a sports challenge. As you set new goals for 2025, consider applying for VA’s sports competitions and clinics. Whether you’re a novice, never tried or been in the game for years, now is the time to embrace the…
Connect with your community this winter
For many people, the new year marks a chance to reevaluate priorities, schedules and hobbies. That process can involve a variety of emotions like joy, stress, excitement or anxiety. Whatever you’re feeling this time of year, it can be helpful to ground yourself in your community, whether that’s your family and friends, local organizations or…
VA’s Office of Emergency Management responds to urgent situation
The call came in the evening of Dec. 12 from Maryland VA notifying VA’s Office of Emergency Management of an urgent situation involving a cracked steam pipeline at the Perry Point VA. Emergency managers immediately collaborated on how to mitigate any potential impacts to patients requiring acute care. With the medical center mostly powered by…
