The Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) program is a critical VA benefit that provides Veterans with no-cost career counseling, assessment, education planning and guidance resources unique to their circumstances. PCPG provides transitioning service members, Veterans and eligible beneficiaries with tailored education and career services, including resume writing, interview skills help and referrals to VA…

This National Women Physicians Day, discover how VA is transforming health care through the leadership of inspiring physicians. From pioneering leaders like Dr. Margaret Craighill to today’s innovators, physicians at VA are reshaping Veteran care while enjoying benefits that support their own well-being. Just ask Dr. Nisha Mehta, who found the perfect life/work balance. Seeking…

Taryn, a two-year-old female Labrador Retriever, recently joined the staff at Birmingham VA as a trained and certified facility dog. Taryn She works alongside her partners, Physical Therapist Leesa Miles and Occupational Therapist Casey Church, daily at the Birmingham VA clinic, assisting their patients during physical and occupational therapy treatments.  Leesa, Taryn and Casey are…

Finding the time and place to exercise can often be seen as a stumbling block that prevents us from engaging in better health practices. If this sounds like you, consider yoga, which offers us the ability to make healthy choices, improve movement and blood flow, and overall well-being through simple movements that require no additional…

Here’s how AMD can affect your life.  Picture the best moments of your life: family celebrations, dinner with friends or vacations at the beach. Imagine reading your favorite books, watching a beloved show or driving to a special place. All these experiences rely on the gift of sight. Unfortunately for many Veterans, especially those 50…

Homelessness rates in the U.S. and among Veterans are on two very different trajectories, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. As overall homelessness in the nation surged to a record high in 2024, Veteran homelessness reached its lowest point since counting began in 2009. We invited Ken…

Joey Straw, an acute care nurse at Nashville VA, went about his rounds like any other day unaware that it would be the day he would save a Veteran’s life. He stepped into his next patient’s room and began his evaluation. His patient was recovering from a chronic illness and required extensive care in an…

Veteran Marina Perez does not let age define her as a competitor in the National Veterans Golden Age Games. Her story spans continents, challenges and victories, offering a beacon of hope and determination for all who face adversity. Perez, 79, combines willpower and a zest for life. It all started at the age of 33…

Innovation has long been a cornerstone of the work we do at VA, from developing the first implantable cardiac pacemaker in 1960 and the first electronic health record in 1970 to being one of the first U.S. health care systems to adopt 5G and test its use cases in 2020. With the theme of “From…

Harry R. Truman was born in October 1896 in Ivydale, West Virginia, and was raised by foster parents. He enlisted in the Army during World War I, where he was assigned to the 100th Aero Squadron, 7th Squad. Truman trained as an avionic mechanic but soon found himself on the troopship Tuscania, en route to…

When facing a life challenge, there are many possible avenues for support. I want you to know you’re not alone and there are people who care about you and want to help. Here are some VA resources that can help guide you in reaching out. Talk to your local suicide prevention coordinator A suicide prevention…

During Data Privacy Week (Jan. 27 – 31), VA is sharing guidance on how Veterans and their beneficiaries can protect their data, especially Personally Identifiable Information (PII). It’s crucial to recognize that fraudsters often target Veterans through various scams to gain access to personal data, resulting in identity theft. Understanding Identity Theft Identity theft occurs…