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…

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…

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…

The Veterans preference can offer Veterans like you an advantage when applying for federal jobs, including open positions at VA. However, it is important to note that Veterans preference does not guarantee federal employment and does not apply to internal agency actions, such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements. Agencies are required to give priority…

Michael ‘Ed’ Hogg, a biomedical technician at Western North Carolina VA, is making waves with his recent innovation to improve accessibility for Veterans.  While he was at the cafeteria in the Charles George VA, Hogg noticed a Veteran in a wheelchair struggling to reach the food tray after placing an order. He assisted the Veteran…

As we close out one year and begin the next, many people are eager to set goals or resolutions. These goals tend to be around positive changes we may want to make and often can end up being hard to stick with, especially if they are large changes! In addition to goal setting, which I…

On Dec. 28, Dr. Loretta C. Ford, a pioneer in the nursing field and a steadfast advocate for Veterans, celebrated an extraordinary milestone—her 104th birthday. Known for her groundbreaking work in advancing the role of nurse practitioners, Ford’s life has been one of service, leadership and dedication to improving health care for all, especially Veterans.…

Pamela Merritt, 65, coped with obesity for years, facing numerous health challenges because of her weight. With a six-year old granddaughter and a daughter eagerly anticipating her mother walking her down the aisle, Merritt made a life-changing decision to join VA’s MOVE! program at Durham VA. The program transformed her dietary habits and incorporated physical…

VA employees have a long history of collaborating to innovate new solutions to improve Veteran care and the Veteran care experience. These employees are dedicated to both their work and to improving Veterans’ lives. The 2024 VHA Innovation Experience (iEX) celebrated the commitment and creativity of VA teams and individuals dedicated to advancing care for…

VA is committed to reaching Veterans where they are, even in the most rural areas. For the Office of Connected Care, this could be at a VA Medical Center, a Veterans Service Organization event or even a campsite with telehealth. Air Force and National Guard Veteran Patti Fabian first learned of VA’s telehealth services at…

It’s important to know that a successful job search doesn’t start when you find a job you want. Instead, it’s about knowing what you actually want from your workplace. That might be a better paycheck, the potential for promotion, or a sense of satisfaction from the work you do. You can find all those things…

Are you a Veteran who served at least two periods of service? In other words, did you reenlist? If so, there’s a chance that you’re eligible for additional G.I. Bill benefits.  Today, VA announced that it has updated its process for awarding G.I. Bill benefits. This means that many Veterans who served multiple periods of…