Latest Headlines
Native American Women Vets Take Part in Presidential InaugurationThe first Native American color guard composed of all female Veterans took part in the 2013 presidential inauguration parade. They are just a few of the scores of women Veterans who've made history. Read more and watch the clip.*†
Stay tuned for more on women Veterans who have helped shape history during Women's History Month in March.
VA Salt Lake hosts birthday party for its first "VA baby"
The Salt Lake City VA recently held a 1st birthday party for Baby Alicia, the first baby born under VA Salt Lake’s maternity program last January. In the last year, 41 more babies have been born under the Salt Lake program.
Read the story and see photos.*†
Denver program provides shelter, stability for homeless female Vets
A collaborative effort between HomeAid Colorado, VA and Volunteers of America continues to add homes for homeless female Veterans in Denver.
Read more and watch the clip.*†
New Child Care Center, Women's Health Clinic unveiled in Washington State
VA Puget Sound recently cut ribbons for its new Women's Health Clinic and pilot child care center at its facility in American Lake (Tacoma), Washington. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, John E. Patrick, Interim Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care, and Dr. Patty Hayes, VA's national director of Women's Health Services celebrated both events. Learn more about Women's Health and child care services available at the American Lake VA.
New PSA lets women Veterans know they've come to "The Right Place"
VA's latest PSA lets women Veterans know they've come to the right place when they choose VA health care. Listen*† to a recent interview on the topic with VA's national director of Women's Health, Dr. Patricia Hayes.
Watch*† the video and learn more about VA's ongoing culture change campaign.
Veterans Day Celebrations Highlight Women; Female Vet Serves her Comrades
From Maine to Utah, Veterans Day events highlight women. Read*† about the Bay State's recent tribute, watch*† coverage of a celebration in Augusta, ME, and learn what Salt Lake City has planned to celebrate the contributions of women Veterans.
Meanwhile, one Florida female Vet is working on making a resource center for fellow women Veterans a reality. Read*† her story.
Baltimore VA Touts New Women's Clinic
The Baltimore VA has unveiled a new women's clinic for its growing population of female Veterans. Among other enhancements to better meet their needs, the hospital has added evening clinic hours and Saturday mammograms. Read*† the story.
Women's Memorial Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Female service members and women Veterans spanning generations gathered Saturday to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at the foot of Arlington National Cemetery. Read*† coverage from the Washington Post. A candlelight march and remembrance ceremony rounded out the day's events. See photos*† from the march.
Another woman Veteran making history is Stacy Pearsall, an OEF/OIF Bronze Star recipient and photographer behind the Veterans Portrait Project.*† She was recently profiled on VA's The American Veteran. Watch*† a report on Capital Insider.
Wisconsin Women Veterans Program Manager Earns Top VA Honor in Social Work
Gail Gunter Hunt, the Women Veterans Program Manager in Madison, Wisconsin received the Under Secretary for Health's Excellence in Social Work Leadership Award. "She inspires staff through the organization toward a vision of sensitive and competent care for women Veterans," VA's social work newsletter, Synergy, reports on p.13 here (3.74 MB, PDF). Read more*† from the University of Wisconsin School of Social Work.
White River Junction VA Opens Women's Clinic
The Southern Vermont facility opened its doors on October 1 and delivers comprehensive primary care, including mental health services, to women Veterans five days a week. Read and watch coverage from New England Cable News,*† and the White River Junction Valley News.*†
VA raises Breast Cancer Awareness
VA hospitals across the country participated in the annual pink out challenge in which employees wear pink and take photos in friendly contest to be the pinkest VA and raise breast cancer awareness. "Clinical staff are always very enthusiastic about participating in this event because it highlights attention on such an important healthcare issue for women Veterans," said one participant in New York. See photos from Tuscaloosa*† and Altoona.*† See the full Flickr gallery.*†
Women's Health Goes Red!
On Sept. 27, Women's Health staff joined other VA employees and women Veterans to raise awareness of heart disease, the #1 killer of women. The program featured fitness activities including Zumba® and other cardio classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, CPR instruction, informational exhibits about cardiovascular disease and ways to stay heart healthy, and more. This event supported VA's collaboration with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women® movement to raise awareness of heart disease in women Veterans. See photos*† and read*† coverage of the event.
Leader of VA Women's Health Program Profiled for Advocacy, Achievements
Dr. Patricia Hayes, who leads VA's national Women's Health program office, was recently featured in the Washington Post as an "agent of change" for women Veterans. Read*† the story. Such change is evident in VA facilities around the country—the Hampton, Virginia facility has built a new women's clinic, which opens its doors to Veterans on October 1. Read*† coverage from the ribbon cutting ceremony.
WWII Female Army Veteran Turns 105
Alyce Dixon, a resident at the Washington, D.C. VA's Community Living Center, and World War II Veteran, recently celebrated her 105th birthday. Watch an interview*† and see photos.*†
VA Progress Evolving to Meet the Needs of Women Veterans
VA has made great progress transforming health care for women Veterans, Dr. Sally Haskell, the acting directory of comprehensive care for VA's national Women's Health program, recently told the American Legion's annual convention. "We feel like we've made tremendous progress," the Legion story quotes*† Dr. Haskell. "We know that we're not there yet—we acknowledge that. And we totally appreciate the work of The American Legion and other veterans service organizations that advocate for women veterans because we know there's a lot to do."
VA is Narrowing the Gender Gap in Health Care
According to two new VA reports, targeted efforts to improve health care for women Veterans are paying off. There's still more work to be done, but this is good news for women Veterans. Read the reports here.
Coverage of VA Efforts in Telemedicine, Women's Health Research
VA is increasingly using telemedicine to reach rural patients. Read*† a Salt Lake Tribune story, which highlights VA Salt Lake’s use of tele gynecology to care for women Veterans.
VA providers recently gathered in Palo Alto, California for a Women Veterans' Research Roundtable. Hosted by the Under Secretary of Health, Dr. Robert Petzel, the roundtable focused on how research interacts with clinical care. Learn more.
VA, American Heart Association Team to Fight Heart Disease in Women
VA and the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women® movement are raising awareness of heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women and women Veterans through outreach. One tool available to women who have had experiences with heart disease is the Go Red Heart Match database. Women can visit the site*†, create a profile, indicate their military status and connect with others who have had similar experiences. Download a poster to help spread the word. Learn more about the collaboration, or read coverage*† from the media kick-off event.
Director of VA's Women's Health Program Profiled for Career Achievements
Dr. Patricia Hayes, who leads VA's national Women's Health office, recently spoke with Federal News Radio about her work with VA: shaping the vision and policy direction for women Veterans, the changes under way across the system to better serve this rapidly growing population, the many efforts inside and outside VA to increase recognition of women Veterans, as well as her own nomination for a Service to America medal. Listen*† to the interview.
Northport VA Opens Pilot Childcare Program
VA staff and visitors at the Northport VA celebrated the opening of their new drop-off pilot childcare center, where patients can leave children during their VA appointments. The pilot program is VA's second; another site is up and running in Albany, with a third planned for the Puget Sound HCS in the coming months. Learn more about the Northport VA childcare center.
VA's Director of Women's Health is a Finalist for Career Achievement Award
Dr. Patricia Hayes, the Chief Consultant for VA's Women Veterans Health Care program, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for Career Achievement. Dr. Hayes has spent the majority of her 29 years at VA advocating for women Veterans and improving the provision of VA health care services to them. The winners will be announced on September 13 at an awards event in Washington, DC. Read more*† about her life's work.
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†VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked Web site.
