VA preventive measures to reduce the risk of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Dr. Haley Moss is a gynecologic oncologist and the director of VA’s National TeleOncology’s Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence program. The program is currently available at 82 VA…

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Simulation training prepares staff for the “what ifs”

In a recent SIM course, VA staff in Texas added to their skills the latest techniques on how to handle any medical situation in their VA hospitals. Simulation learning has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more educators recognize its many benefits, such as increasing patient safety and improving existing processes. In…

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VA Exceeds Goal to House Homeless Veterans for Second Year in a Row

Every Veteran deserves a safe, stable place to call home, and that’s why VA is committed to ending Veteran homelessness. In March 2023, VA announced its goal to place at least 38,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and to ensure that at least 95% of the Veterans housed that year did not return to…

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Is CHAMPVA for your family?

Are you a Veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability? Did you know your family members may have access to VA-covered care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA)? To help Veterans and their family members learn more about the program, theSITREP – VA Health Care Made Simple invited CHAMPVA’s deputy…

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Make 2024 the year you join VA, starting with these February events

There’s no better way to learn about VA than from the people who work here, and we’d love the opportunity to meet you. If you’ve been considering a switch to VA, now is the time to meet with our team as we attend events with: Pri-Med South from Feb. 8-10, 2024 AMSUS, The Society of…

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The link between sexual violence and suicide

VA’s Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, calls suicide prevention “our most important clinical priority.” In identifying the many factors that contribute to suicide, it becomes even more imperative to emphasize a less discussed and contributing risk: sexual violence. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network describes “sexual violence” as an all-encompassing non-legal term…

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#LiveWholeHealth #206: White Chicken Chili, comfort for body and mind

In the hustle and bustle of work and life, it’s easy to overlook the profound impact that food has on our overall well-being. Beyond its role as mere sustenance, food can nourish not only our bodies but also our mental health. One aspect we tend to underestimate is the comfort food provides during the winter…

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Improving communication and access for prosthetic limbs

VA provides care for more than 45,000 Veterans with major limb loss, including those with amputations secondary to combat. Veterans with major limb loss who use VA for prosthetic limb care require a high degree of care coordination to ensure their needs are met. To address these challenges, a team of VA staff in VISN…

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Couples workshop helps Veterans strengthen relationships

Prior to meeting his wife Ana, Navy Chief Petty Officer Paul Scherman spent more than 22 months in Afghanistan during two deployments. The couple has been married for seven years, but PTSD put a strain on their relationship. “We’ve been a little rocky here and there in our marriage,” said Scherman, who served 24 years…

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Protect your online information when using My HealtheVet and VA apps

Jan. 28 is Data Privacy Day. As we integrate technology more and more into our daily lives, keeping our online data secure is crucial. This is especially true for your online health information. If you use our My HealtheVet online health portal or VA apps, such as VA Video Connect, VA Health and Benefits and…

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VA engineers provide best Veteran patient experience

From keeping high-tech ultrasound machinery functioning to providing optimal temperature climates to ensuring a television works for a patient recovering from illness in a room, North Texas VA engineers are the unsung heroes that keep employees and patients happy and able to provide or receive world-class health care. It takes a lot of technical know-how,…

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North Texas community supports Veteran food pantry

Bitterly cold temperatures didn’t slow the procession of Veteran vehicles lining up at Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, Texas. These Veterans weren’t waiting for flu shots or early check-in at their scheduled primary care appointments. They were lining up for cereal, apples and milk courtesy of a drive-thru food pantry, organized by the…

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