Category: VA

Robert Sullins, Jr., 63-year old Army Veteran, wears a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which is a surgically implanted, battery-operated, mechanical pump. Used increasingly for end-stage heart failure patients, the pump helps his heart’s left ventricle—the organ’s main pumping chamber—pump blood to the rest of his body, prolonging and improving his life.   Although he’s lived…

Breast cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and since women Veterans are our fastest growing population of Veterans within VA, it’s the most diagnosed cancer for women who come to VA for care. As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reflect on the many Veterans and…

There are many in the community who want to help reduce or even prevent Veteran suicides. That’s where VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) comes in. HAP finds and manages non-monetary partnerships with community organizations that use innovative strategies to support suicide prevention among Veterans. One of those partnerships is with OnStar…

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. Frost Call is a Veteran nonprofit founded in 2019 to bring Veterans together through the power of gaming. The name was inspired by the process in…

While around one in three people in the U.S. over the age of 75 are taking statins to lower cholesterol and reduce risk of heart attack, the benefits for older adults without heart disease are not fully understood. The PREVENTABLE trial was established to help answer this question. This is expected to be the largest-ever…

VA’s third annual Customer Experience (CX) Symposium, held Sept. 16-18, 2024, brought together more than 1,850 industry experts and leaders nationwide. The event focused on how VA is earning Veterans’ trust by enhancing the employee experience through leveraging data, tools, technology and engagement. The symposium was presented in partnership with the Office of Healthcare Innovation…

At VA, our goal is to make sure Veterans and their caregivers can easily find, understand and use our information and services. Every day, VA staff work to help Veterans understand what VA has to offer. We make this a priority to ensure that you can make informed decisions for your best health. The concept…

Tanya Holland hopes her breast cancer story will inspire women to get their mammograms. Her journey in the Navy began in 1991 when she served on the crash and rescue team in Guantanamo Bay. Her service included time stationed on the USS Hunley submarine and several years in Cuba. Seeking “excitement and adventure,” Holland thrived…

Veterans frequently share that they see the Veterans Crisis Line number, Dial 988 then Press 1, everywhere, on every VA website, billboard and social media post. They know that 24/7 crisis support is available, but many remain uncertain about what happens when they make the call or what to expect afterward. Here, I want to…

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the abundance of fall foods that not only taste delicious but also offer a bounty of nutrition. From hearty kale to juicy apples, tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, these seasonal gems are packed with goodness that can nourish your body…

Army Veteran Lyle Bludell got more than he was expecting when he visited a Houston-area Veteran food pantry this week. He found a little hope.    Associate director Jeremiah Jackson; Dr. Christian Flickinger, VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention; and John Smith, Combined Arms When he arrived, he was sitting in a line of cars, waiting…

VA celebrates Hispanic Heritage month with the story of Vietnam Veteran Arnie Cardenas. Growing up in Uvalde, Texas, Army Veteran Cardenas and his eight siblings loved listening to the sounds of accordion maestro Tony de la Rosa and the Tex-Mex music flowing across nearby border towns like Laredo. As Cardenas grew older, his family got…