United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Gulfport, Mississippi

CARES image: Go to CARES site

In light of recent events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, the CARES public meeting and subsequent activities surrounding the CARES study at the Gulfport, Mississippi facility are currently on hold. Current information regarding the state of the Gulfport facility can be found on the South Central VA Health Care Network website. Updates on the study will be posted this website in the near future.
Message from Veterans Affairs Secretary Nicholson
Our thoughts and prayers are with our fellow citizens along the Gulf Coast who have suffered so much from Hurricane Katrina. The same goes for our colleagues working diligently to fulfill their mission at VA facilities throughout the disaster area. This is a trying time for everyone, particularly VA employees with family and loved ones in the region.

Our most critical patients were successfully evacuated on Tuesday from the New Orleans VA Medical Center following extensive flooding and power outages. We began evacuating the remaining patients Thursday morning, moving them to other VA medical centers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and the evacuation of employees and family members from the flooded medical center was continuing Friday.

The Gulfport, Miss., VA Medical Center took the brunt of Katrina, but it was evacuated before the storm hit, with all patients moved safely to other VA medical centers. Crews have cleared roads at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, and the facility is one of two hospitals still operating in that community.

Right now, the priority is on saving lives and continuity of operations. I urge everyone in the affected areas to continue to follow instructions from authorities on the scene, who are doing all they can to help people get back on their feet. I am gratified at the VA family’s outpouring of concern and desire to help. More than 750 VA employees have volunteered for relief duty in the stricken areas and evacuation sites. Many wish to donate funds to assist VA employees in the disaster area. A VA employee relief fund is being created and you will hear more about it shortly.

For those who want to volunteer to help in the disaster relief efforts in the stricken area, please notify your service chief or appropriate facility representative. I know I can count on your professionalism, courage and compassion during these difficult days ahead.

- Veterans Affairs Secretary Nicholson

Toll free number for veterans
Veterans who receive care from the New Orleans VA or VA Gulf
Coast (Biloxi or Gulfport campuses) may call 1-800-507-4571
with questions about their health care.

These documents are provided in PDF format for downloading and local reproduction. Software for accessing this document format is available on the VA Viewer Software Page.

Information and Links - Gulfport
Local Advisory Panel Public Meeting Announcements and Schedules
  • May 12, 2005 - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System.
  • Public Affairs Office and FAC Support:

Description of Options
  • No documents available at this time.

Meeting Summaries and Materials
Meeting Agendas
CARES Phase I & II
2004 Secretary's Decision
Congressional Briefings