Category: VA

Shireta Jones, an Air Force Veteran with 22 years of service, has found an unexpected source of joy and strength in pickleball. Shireta Jones Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s a fast-growing sport played on a small court with paddles and a plastic ball. It’s easy to learn, highly social and a…

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a unique VA program that provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary primary care in the homes of Veterans. The program is for Veterans who need team-based, in-home support for ongoing diseases and illnesses that affect their health and daily activities. HBPC plans involve Veterans working with health care professionals to organize comprehensive care…

VA offers free online and in-person yoga classes and mindfulness training to Veterans across the nation. VA hosts these classes through a partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, Inc., which is maintained by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP). The classes provide a no-cost opportunity to Veterans seeking to improve their mental, physical…

Preventing pneumonia during a Veteran’s hospital stay could be as simple as improving their oral health. Non-Ventilator Associated Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (NV-HAP) is one of the most common infections in hospitals and accounts for 60% of hospital acquired pneumonia cases nationwide. Hospitalized Veterans who develop NV-HAP face a higher risk of mortality, longer hospital stays…

The holiday season, often celebrated as “the most wonderful time of the year,” can also be one of the more stressful times of year. Holiday gift shopping, running errands, decorating, spending time with extended family and attending large social gatherings can be expensive, taxing and overwhelming.  For many, this time of year can intensify mental…

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Yusuf Henriques, an Army Veteran and former combat medic, is the founder and CEO of IndyGeneUS AI, a genomics company on a mission to improve health equity by increasing representation of women and racial…

Two women Veterans recently bonded after sharing stories of their fertility struggles, and it wouldn’t have happened without a little help from Atlanta VA. “In my darkest days, Dr. Geisel pushed me,” said Climmie Cooper-Lewis, a 42-year-old Air Force Veteran who lives in Dallas, Georgia. Cooper-Lewis struggles with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, a back injury…

Navy Veteran Brenda Guevara’s technology journey highlights the importance of self-care and expression. For Guevara, putting on makeup is not just about looking good. It’s a crucial part of her daily routine that boosts her confidence. However, a disability made it challenging for her to hold her brushes steady and apply makeup independently. “People with…

Dr. Brandon Brooks, a podiatrist at Columbia VA, earned first place at the 10th Annual Conference of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons for his abstract: “DREADD: Diabetes-Related Extremity Amputation Depression & Distress.” Dr. Brandon Brooks This achievement marks his third consecutive first place win in national abstract competitions, solidifying his reputation as a leader…

Registration for the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic opens on Dec. 9 and runs through March 1, 2025. The 2025 clinic will take place Aug. 23-30 in San Diego, offering an extended opportunity for Veterans to partake in adaptive sports. Eligible Veterans can apply to attend the 2025 Summer Sports Clinic. All accepted Veterans will…

When you’re conducting your job search, there are a few questions you can ask yourself when you’re trying to figure out what kind of work environment might be right for you. What type of work environment makes you happy and productive? What motivates you to do your best work? You may already know the answers…

Taking care of a Veteran is a deeply rewarding role, yet it’s not without challenges. One of the struggles that often comes with this responsibility is the sense of isolation and loneliness. As a caregiver, you may find yourself so focused on the needs of the Veteran you love that you end up feeling alone,…