Network Update - September 2008

VA Midwest Health Care Network, one of twenty-one Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), oversees the provision of health care provided to veterans residing in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and bordering states of Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  Also known as VISN 23, the Network delivers VA's comprehensive benefits package through an integrated system of medical centers (8), community based outpatient clinics (43), domiciliaries (4), and nursing home care units (7).

The Network continues to concentrate on outreach efforts on this newest population of veterans.  We are operating transition clinics to assist returnees adjust to civilian life and we expanded case managers to assist those with special needs.  Our partnership with the Minnesota National Guard at Camp Ripley is allowing returnees easier access to mental health case management services.  This program is proven to be very successful. 
Through the end of July 2008, VISN 23 has enrolled a total of 26,908 combat veterans, this includes: 16,807 National Guard members; 4,926 Reservist; and 5,175 active military.  The majority of those enrolled receive outpatient care, with 519 receiving inpatient care.  There are a number who choose to enroll only.  Those who choose to enroll only are encouraged to come to a VA facility for a minimum baseline medical exam.
The Network has successfully recruited 34 new employees for the OEF/OIF program, increasing staff dedicated to serving those returning from combat from 38 to 72.  This includes an additional 24 case managers, 3 transition patient advocates, and 7 program assistants.

Our Emergency Management team works in collaboration with national emergency management teams in preparing for national disasters.  Recently eight VA employees from VISN 23 were deployed to assist with relief efforts following the arrival of Hurricane Gustav.  Behind the scenes and on the front lines, VA stands ready to assist when our nation has an emergency. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will open three Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers on Oct. 1 to better understand rural health issues for veterans and develop special practices and products to implement across the country. The centers will serve as satellite offices for VA's Office of Rural Health.  The eastern center will be located in Vermont at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, the central region in Iowa at the Iowa City VA Medical Center and the western region at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center.  Each resource center will be staffed with administrative, clinical and research staff who will identify disparities in health care for rural veterans and formulate practices or programs to enhance the delivery of care.   http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1548

St. Cloud VAMC is one of many co-sponsors of "Warrior to Citizen Conference" for Health Care and Human Service workers, Business Leaders, Veterans, Families and Support Networks, Faith Leaders, Educators, Law Enforcement and all other interested community members.  The conference will be held on September 22, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at the St. Cloud Civic Center.  For more information contact Joan Vincent, Public Affairs Officer, St Cloud VAMC at 320-225-6480 ext. 6381.     

St. Cloud VA Medical Center invites women veterans to attend Balance for Busy Women - Women Veterans Health & Wellness Day, Friday, September 26, 2008, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., St. Cloud VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN, Auditorium - Building 8. The event is sponsored in full by the Disabled Veterans of America; it is free and open to all women veterans.  For more information contact Mickie Pittman-Leyendecker at (320) 252-1670 ext. 6429.

Dr. Nina Sayer, received a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Defense to study the effectiveness of expressive writing (EW) as a way to reduce psychological symptoms, including PTSD, and improve functioning in veterans following deployment in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.  In expressive writing (EW) people write about their deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding a significant life event for 15 to 20 minutes per day on 3 to 4 consecutive days. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated this exercise helps people cope with past traumas and major life transitions. "Although EW's evidence base is strong in civilian populations, its effectiveness in combat veterans has not been established. Yet, EW holds exceptional promise in overcoming identified barriers to mentally distressed veterans' help-seeking. Specifically, EW is highly private, readily accessible, and nonstigmatizing," said Sayer. 

September 8-12, 2008

Iowa City, Iowa

For more information, log on at http://www.iowacity.va.gov/National_Veterans_TEE_Tournament.asp