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VA Midwest Health Care Network

 

Network Update - March 2010

Department of Veterans Affairs 

Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Midwest Health Care Network
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23

NETWORK UPDATE
March 2010
www.visn23.va.gov 

 

VA Midwest Health Care Network - VISN 23 

Patriotism Knows No Gender

The number of women veterans has increased through the past several years and continue to rise.   As of September 2009, VA has served over 1,824,198 women Veterans.  
The number of women Veterans served in VISN 23 are:

Iowa = 14,744
Minnesota = 23,077
Nebraska = 11,198
North Dakota = 4,567
South Dakota = 5,873

The number of women Veterans is growing rapidly and women are increasingly using VA for their health care. VAs 2011 proposed budget provides $217.6 million to meet the gender-specific health care needs of women Veterans, an increase of $18.6 million (or 9.4 percent) over the 2010 level.  Enhanced primary care for women Veterans remains one of the Department’s top priorities.   Among the initiatives for women in the 2011 budget proposal are expanded health care services in Vet Centers, increased training for health care providers to advance their knowledge and understanding of women’s health issues, and implementing a peer call center and social networking site for women combat Veterans.  This call center will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   For more information about services available for women Veterans contact the Woman Veterans Program Manager at your local VA Medical Center.
 
Dr. Petzel Confirmed as VA Under Secretary for Health

Dr. Robert Petzel taking oath of office 
Dr. Robert A. Petzel has taken the oath of office as the Under Secretary for Health within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stepping up to lead the nation's largest integrated health care system.  Read press release. 
VA Joins Effort for More Transparency
 Open Government
Government should be transparent, allow for citizen participation, and  encourage collaboration among organizations. And that’s what VA aims to accomplish through the new Open Government Initiative. At our new site, you can learn more about the process—and even take part in crafting our plan to make it happen.  For more information, go to OPEN GOVERNMENT. 
White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011
To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read more at http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1848
Center for Minority Veterans
The Center for Minority Veterans is part of the Office of the Secretary. The Center assists eligible veterans in their efforts to receive benefits and services from VA. The Center acts only as a mediator and facilitator -- As such the Center does not process claims, handle equal employment complaints, or employee relation problems. The Center is dedicated to ensuring that all veterans are aware of benefits, services, and programs offered by VA.  For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
VA Announces Gulf War Task Force Report
Secretary Shinseki announced that the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has nearly completed a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA addresses the pain and suffering of ill Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. The mission of VA’s Gulf War Task Force is to identify gaps in services as well as opportunities to better serve Veterans of the Gulf War.  Of the almost 700,000 service members who deployed to Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, there have been 300,000 Gulf War Veterans with claims decisions, over 85 percent were granted service connection for at least one condition, and over 14 percent were not granted service connection for any condition.  For more information log on at http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1858
National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic - March 28 - April 2, 2010 in Snowmass Village, Aspen CO
This event is the world leader in promoting rehabilitation by instructing Veterans with disabilities in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, and introducing them to a number of other adaptive recreational activities and sports. For many newly injured Veterans, including many injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Clinic offers their first experience in winter sports and gives them the inspiration to take their rehabilitation to a higher level. For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/wsc/Default.asp
Serving Those Returning from Combat

The Network takes a proactive approach on outreaching to returning service members.  As of January 31, 2010, the Network enrolled a total of 36,270 returning service members.  Of those, 21,918 received outpatient services, 868 were treated as inpatients, and 13,484 chose to enroll only.  If you would like to discuss ideas on how we can better serve those returning from combat, please contact the OEF/OIF Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center.  The following tables show the number of Combat Veterans enrolled in this Network and where they are receiving care. 

Combat Vets Enrolled in VISN 23

Combat Veterans Care in VISN 23
National Veteran Golden Age Games - May 26-31, 2010 in Des Moines, Iowa
Life begins at 55, at least it does for more than 600 veterans competing in this national event, the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States. It is the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. It is one of the most progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the world, offering 14 different sports and recreational activities.  For more information, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/gag/default.asp 
Support and Family Education Helps Family, Friends of Veterans with Mental Health Illness
Veterans with mental health illness receive intensive treatment and services from Veterans Health. Family and friends who care for these Veterans also need compassionate and caring support. A program called Support And Family Education (S.A.F.E.) provides education for family and friends of Veterans with mental health illness to help them help their Veterans. The program in Nebraska and Western Iowa is held the third Tuesday of every month at the Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island Divisions from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, or to learn about the specific program topics and locations, call (402) 995-4719. 
Shenandoah Community Based Outpatient Clinic to Celebrate One Year Anniversary - March 23, 2010
The Shenandoah VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will host an open house and one-year anniversary celebration March 23. The clinic serves Veterans in western Iowa and southeastern Nebraska. Veterans and the community are encouraged to stop by and see what Veterans health care services are available, to meet the staff, and to tour the clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. at 512 S. Fremont St, Shenandoah, IA. To learn more about their services, visit http://www.nebraska.va.gov/visitors/shenandoah.asp
Veterans Interagency Outreach Program, Carson, Iowa - March 26, 2010
A Veterans Interagency Outreach open house will be held March 26 and March 27 in Carson, Iowa, at the Carson Community Center, 316 s. Commercial Street. The program is intended to bring representatives from the following agencies to allow Veterans in rural communities to learn about VA benefits and to talk one-on-one with enrollment counselors: VA Nebrasaka-Western Iowa Health Care System, VA Regional Office, Vet Centers, Iowa Transition Office, State of Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, and county veterans service officers. The open house is from noon to 8 p.m. March 26 and 8 to 11:30 a.m. March 27. For more details, call Cindy at (866) 580-1810, ext 92287.
New Hospice Wing Opening at Grand Island Community Living Center - April 17, 2010
A new Hospice and Palliative Care unit wing at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System Grand Island Community Living Center officially opens April 7 at 10 a.m.  The Hospice and Palliative Care Unit is served by a team of providers and staff to help veterans spend their final days with dignity and comfort.  The team is committed to the VA’s mission of honoring a veteran’s preference at the end of life which includes the relief from pain, the integration of the physical, social and spiritual aspects of care and bereavement counseling for their families. This opening will also serve as an opportunity to educate Veterans, the public and the media about the VA’s increasing focus on hospice and palliative care. For more information, call (402) 995-4719. For the CLC location, visit http://www.nebraska.va.gov/visitors/grand_island.asp 
Opening of New Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Wagner, South Dakota
The Sioux Falls VAMC is pleased to announce the opening of the Wagner Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) at 400 W. Hwy 46-40 in Wagner, SD the week of March 29. A ribbon cutting and dedication are being planned for April 8. The Watertown CBOC will move to its permanent location at 917 29th St. SE, Watertown, SD; and staff will begin seeing patients the week of April 14. A ribbon cutting and dedication are also in the works for this clinic. Details about Veterans Town Halls and the CBOC openings will soon be posted on this website and the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center website at http://www.siouxfalls.va.gov/
 

 

 

 

 

 

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