May/June 2011

After the Storm Military Cultural Awareness Training Amputee Softball Team VA and Its Academic Partners Features

One Woman Veteran’s ‘Don’t Quit’ Message 6 Paraplegic veteran and VA patient Kate Callahan is an elite athlete Coaching Wounded Warriors to Gold 7 VA Palo Alto’s Rod Williams is an inspiration to everyone around him 4 To Know Them is to Serve Them Better 8 Understanding military culture has never been more important A Game of Their Own 11 The first-ever all-amputee standing slow pitch softball team forms Preventing Patient Violence in VA Health Care 14 VA is taking a systematic approach to dealing with the issue Helping Families Living With Brain Injury 16 An informal support group has grown into a national organization From Iraq to Homeless to Homeless Advocate 18 18 A former homeless veteran now helps others get back on their feet After the Storm 20 In the aftermath of a deadly tornado, the Tuscaloosa VA steps up to help VA and Its Academic Partners 22 United by a common commitment to veterans’ health

Departments

3 Feedback 33 Have You Heard 26 4 News You Can Use 36 Honors 26 Around Headquarters 39 Heroes 30 Introducing 40 Winter Clinic 31 Medical Advances VAnguard VA’s Employee Magazine May/June 2011 Vol. LVII, No. 3

On the cover Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center employees Editor: Lisa Gaegler and spouses Jeff and Cassie Munford stand Assistant Editor/Senior Writer: Gary Hicks in the backyard of their home, which was Photo Editor: Robert Turtil destroyed in the tornado that ripped Staff Writer: Amanda Hester through the Alabama city on April 27. Their neighbor’s cars can be seen piled on top of Published by the Office of Public Affairs (80D) each other in the background. Despite the fact that many Tuscaloosa VA employees, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs like the Munfords, were personally affected 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. by the storm, they pitched in to help the Washington, D.C. 20420 community recover from the disaster. (202) 461-7427 photo by April Jones E-mail: [email protected] www.va.gov/opa/publications/vanguard.asp

2 VAnguard • May/June 2011 FEEDBACKOUTLOOKFEEDBACK

Keeper of VA’s History gestures, and with the assis- his presentation, we were able photographer for KUTV in Our thanks for the News You tance of a vocational rehabili- to ask questions and learn ba- Salt Lake City. After watching Can Use article in the March/ tation and education officer sic signs to communicate daily a report on our news about April issue, “You’re a Keeper who knows sign language and with Debbie and David. They employees of Dugway Prov- of VA’s History,” which serves attended my team meetings. will soon have a P3 Netbook, ing Ground being accidentally to remind us that VA is in- I convinced myself that was furnished by the Computer/ exposed to nerve agent during deed the caretaker of some of good enough, but I always Electronic Accommodations testing activities, a veteran, America’s most historic (and knew something was missing. Program, or CAP, installed Paul Cooper, called the news- endangered) properties related I made an effort to ensure at their workstations. The P3 room with his story about to the birth of this nation’s that Debbie and David un- Netbook will allow them to witnessing an atomic test commitment to the health care derstood me, but I knew they communicate via videophone (the test was called Smokey) of its veterans. were somewhat left out of the on all phone call-related issues while in the Army. We took Including an image of everyday social interaction that for VA or notifications to their the information and the next “Old Main,” the iconic sol- helps solidify the team and office managers for work or day, a reporter and I paid Mr. diers’ residence in the Historic build camaraderie. I knew my personal issues 24 hours a day, Cooper a visit at the Salt Lake Soldiers Home District (soon hearing employees included seven days a week. City VA. He was an inpatient to be Landmark) of the Mil- them in some of this social Debbie and David now on the oncology ward being waukee VA grounds, was espe- interaction, but I also knew we regularly show the staff and treated for leukemia. cially relevant, as it is the most had a long way to go in break- me different signs each day. The story he told us left substantially intact of the three ing down communication bar- Learning a new language has us stunned. They were sent original soldiers’ homes estab- riers in our team environment. been exciting and fun for all into the desert and witnessed lished at the conclusion of the When Ron Burke, di- of us. Our staff will soon be the blast from trenches, and Civil War. The Soldiers Home rector of the Appeals Man- observing a day of silence. shortly afterward were put Foundation is proud to part- agement Center, offered to Throughout the day, the staff in formation and marched ner with VA in the restoration arrange for our team to partici- will communicate via sign lan- through the ground-zero area. and return to service of the pate in a six-hour on-site semi- guage. This will be a challenge That Saturday evening, entire district, beginning with nar provided by the Birnbaum for all of us, but we are look- his story ran on “NBC Nightly a soon-to-be-accomplished en- Interpreting Service, I was ing forward to the experience. News” and was the start of hanced use lease to restore the elated. BIS is a deaf-owned As we move forward, we are the atomic veterans story. We 1889 Home Chapel. and operated company offer- learning to celebrate our differ- continued to report on Mr. Jim Duff ing sign language interpreting ences and break down any bar- Cooper until he lost his battle President services for government, health riers that threaten the strength with leukemia the next spring. Mary Panzer care, legal, religious, business of our team. I covered his funeral and still Vice President and entertainment environ- Teresa Martin have one of the brass cartridges Soldiers Home Foundation ments. From this seminar, our Division Chief that was fired in salute for my Milwaukee team was educated on some Appeals Management friend Paul Cooper. interesting facts about the Center Now, as a VA employee, Deaf Awareness: daily lives and struggles of deaf Washington, D.C. I take pride in the fact that Breaking Down Barriers people. I was there when this story As the division chief of Sup- We did not know that Atomic Veterans broke and also that it started at port Services at the Appeals people with hearing loss form I read with interest the article a VA hospital, the one in Salt Management Center in Wash- the largest disability group about atomic veterans (“Atom- Lake City. ington, D.C., communication in the country. In addition ic Veterans: Blasts from the Scott Jackson is an essential element of my to the 4,000 to 5,000 babies Past Still Reverberate,” March/ Chief, Support Services successful interaction with who are born deaf every year, April issue). A couple of re- George E. Wahlen the staff. When I arrived, I many people suffer injuries or lated notes on that article. VA Medical Center had one “hearing impaired” illnesses that cause deafness. In 1978, I was a news Salt Lake City employee, Debbie Cannady. Deaf people find some terms Debbie has been with VA for limiting because they fail to 28 years. A few months later, describe the sociological im- We Want to Hear from You David Bernard transferred plications of deafness. Labels Have a comment on something you’ve seen in VAnguard? in from San Diego. I would like “hearing impaired,” “deaf We invite reader feedback. Send your comments to van- soon learn the term “hearing and dumb” or “deaf mute” are [email protected]. You can also write to us at: VAnguard, Office impaired” is not an acceptable considered undesirable because of Public Affairs (80D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 label in the deaf community. they refer to a presumed dis- Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20420. Include I told myself I can work ability. your name, title and VA facility. We may need to edit your around this. I communicated After David Birnbaum, letter for length or clarity. with them via e-mail, notes, founder and CEO of BIS, gave

VAnguard • May/June 2011 3 NEWS YOU CAN USE

‘A Permanent Commitment to the Environment’ at Altoona VA

The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pa., was honored with a “Part- ner Recognition” award by Practice Greenhealth, a national organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. The award is given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector. “This VA medical center has been singled out for their efforts to protect patient health and preserve the environment,” said Anna Gilmore Hall, executive director of Practice Greenhealth. “Their approach to health care dem- onstrates a keen understanding of the impact our activities andrea young have on the environment and Tim Blackburn, GEMS coordinator at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pa., releases a commitment to build on the “fat-head minnows” into a pond that is part of a new stormwater treatment system that reduces runoff achievements they have made into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The minnows will consume mosquitoes and also serve as food for so far.” the larger fish that will be added to the pond. The Altoona VA’s Green Environmental Management treatment system that reduces Mike McNeil, deputy director, “If we want a sustainable fu- System, or GEMS, includes: runoff into the Chesapeake Environmental Management ture, every facility needs to be- hazardous materials handling Bay Watershed. The GEMS Division, NASA headquarters, come involved. VA has made a and waste disposal; solid waste coordinator conducted four called it “the most innovative permanent commitment to the disposal and reduction; storm years of planning, research and program that I have ever seen.” environment.” water management; pollution analysis, with the assistance of The goal is protecting, The Partner Recognition prevention; energy efficiency; student interns from two local preserving and restoring the award is for health care facili- and green construction, universities, prior to construc- area’s ecological assets, in- ties that have begun to work among other green programs. tion. cluding the Chesapeake Bay. on environmental improve- The medical center has active The VAMC constructed Enhancing the mission of ments, achieved some progress, programs reducing natural the first phase of a stormwater the medical center was also and have at least a 5 percent resource use, increasing the use management system that uses paramount in the decision recycling rate for the total of recycled products, and using a series of wetlands ponds for process. Restoration of wet- waste stream. The Altoona VA alternative energy. stormwater treatment. The lands destroyed in the original recycled more than 50 percent Altoona currently recycles main pond provides an aes- construction was incorporated of its waste last year, including more than 55 percent of its thetically pleasing view at the into the goals, leading to a construction waste. waste stream and was among front of the medical center; stormwater management de- In addition to the Prac- the first VA medical centers to it offers a serene and calming sign using wetlands ponds for tice Greenhealth award, the begin using biodiesel and E85 environment for veterans and stormwater treatment and re- VAMC was nominated for the ethanol in its fleet, installing visitors who visit the nearby storing the wetlands character, VA GEMS Coordinator of the the alternative fuels station in Wall That Heals. while providing a recreational Year Award and was among 2008. The Altoona VA GEMS This project headlined resource for veterans, visitors the federal facilities considered program has been recognized a breakout session at EPA’s and family members. for highly competitive EPA as the leading program in VA Chesapeake Bay-Focused “Improving environmen- Region III’s Environmental Healthcare – VISN 4 by the Environmental Management tal performance is essential for Excellence Award for the sec- network director. Systems Seminar held at the health care sector,” said ond straight year. A significant GEMS NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Tim Blackburn, GEMS coor- project is the new stormwater Center in Greenbelt, Md. dinator for the medical center. By Andrea Young

4 VAnguard • May/June 2011 NEWS YOUOUTLOOK CAN USE

Barrancas National Cemetery Hosts Caretaker Training Pilot

Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., welcomed students and trainers for the pilot of the National Cemetery Administration’s Caretaker Training program March 21- 25. Cemetery staff hosted a ceremony and luncheon March 24, during which they also dedicated a new burial section. Acting Under Sec- retary for Memorial Affairs Steve Muro, along with special guests Capt. Christopher Plummer, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, and Col. Joseph Richards, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group, were on hand to wel- come the caretakers and to cut a ribbon during the ceremony. chris erbe The NCA Caretaker The NCA Caretaker Training program is an initiative to bring consistency and efficiency to the position of Training program is an initia- cemetery caretaker, an occupation held by more than 50 percent of NCA employees. tive to bring consistency and efficiency to the position of the ceremony. “We want you of about 15 participants from experienced caretakers reach- cemetery caretaker, an oc- to take what you’ve learned around the region. After two ing the age of retirement,” cupation held by more than back to your cemeteries and years, new employees will be said Muro, “we needed a 50 percent of all employees in to your co-workers. And tell required to take the course way to bring along the next NCA. Caretakers are respon- them that their turn is com- within six months of their generation of leaders who sible for setting headstones and ing.” employment. Through an will safeguard and impart the markers, preparing gravesites, NCA plans to train every agreement with the Army, skills and knowledge needed interring caskets and urns, caretaker over the next two caretakers at Arlington Na- to maintain our cemeteries as maintaining the grounds and years. Caretaker trainers will tional Cemetery will be able to national shrines.” much more. Caretakers at travel to various cemeteries receive the training as well. VA national cemeteries must and provide training to classes “With many of our most By Chris Erbe adhere to strict operational standards and measurements that set their cemeteries apart Marking a Major Milestone in Veteran Hiring as national shrines. Fourteen caretaker stu- VA recently reached a major milestone in the number of veterans making up its workforce. The dents came to Barrancas Na- Department now has more than 100,000 veterans in the workforce, representing 32 percent of tional Cemetery from around VA’s 315,000 employees. the country to participate in Leading the effort to increase the number of veterans in VA’s workforce is the Veterans Em- the pilot of the training pro- ployment Coordination Service, located in the Office of Human Resources Management. VECS, gram. In addition, 11 trainers and its team of 13 regional veterans employment coordinators located throughout the country, and subject matter experts work collaboratively with HR offices, managers and supervisors nationally to link qualified veterans with a combined total of 218 to VA career opportunities. years of experience with NCA “As the agency entrusted with the care of our nation’s more than 23 million veterans, we take provided instruction and ex- pride in knowing that many of our employees who provide services, benefits and health care are pertise to the group. representative of the customers we serve,” said VECS Director Dennis May. “Having a workforce “Knowledge is power only comprised of over 100,000 veterans shows VA is not only committed to providing the best service if you share the knowledge,” to our veterans, but also to employing them.” To learn more about VECS, visit www.va.gov/vecs, Muro told the trainees during or contact a member of the VECS staff at 1-866-606-6206.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 5 One Veteran’s ‘Don’t Quit’ Message for Women Veterans A decade after becoming a paraplegic, Air Force veteran and VA patient Kate Callahan is an elite athlete training for the Paralympics.

ome people, when faced Callahan won 9th place in shot put, family support,” she said. “I have a with the prospect of being 7th place in javelin and 5th place in 4-year-old who will say, ‘go throw in a wheelchair for the rest discus. She is now in the running for momma, go throw,’ so that motivates of their lives, might fall into the next Paralympics, to be held in me to train.” a deep depression and focus on all London in June 2012. With the help of her throwing Sthe things they think they can’t do It was a whirlwind trip for her coach, Gabe Diaz de Leon, Callahan anymore. Kate Callahan is not one of to get to the world games, beginning has made it to that elite athlete sta- those people. with local competitions to qualify for tus. Diaz de Leon, himself a five-time In 2000, the 18-year Army and nationals. That was in June 2010; paralympian and a veteran, has been Air Force veteran was diagnosed with nationals were next, and finding out training elite athletes in the sports hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) she was in the running for the Para- Callahan is competing in. and required multiple back surger- lympics was the icing on the cake Diaz de Leon knows what he’s ies, which in turn caused the talking about—he’s won six arachnoids in her back to pull medals over the course of five her spinal cord apart, leaving games, at one point winning her a paraplegic. Always an gold and setting the world athlete, she thought those record in the javelin event. days might be over, and for a “Any sport that’s out there time they were. can be adapted for people sit- Then in 2007, she met ting,” he said. South Texas Veterans Health Callahan is pleased with Care System Recreation the spinal cord injury care Therapist Jose Laguna, who she gets at the South Texas introduced her to wheelchair Veterans Health Care System sports. Without his guidance, in San Antonio, but she’d Callahan might still be angry, like to see more care offered grieving the loss of her legs. for women veterans. Women courtesy of kate callahan Meeting Laguna “opened veterans are pushing for it, Kate Callahan, Paralympian and South Texas patient, trains for up a whole new world to me,” the shotput event. she said, “and the need is she said. “I just thought, there there. The VA has to meet it really is stuff I can do, and since then and more than she thought she was because, well, we’re here.” I haven’t been able to stop. I do more capable of. She also encouraged women vet- now than I did before my injury.” In fact, it didn’t even feel real erans to meet others. “You’ll find that To prove that point, Callahan until the World Anti-Doping Agency you’re accepted and that you’re part of was in Christchurch, New Zealand, knocked on her door one night. “Un- the brotherhood—womanhood—just and Australia this past January and til they had a drug testing agency at like you were in the service. You still February for her first trip to the Para- my door, I didn’t realize I was really have that camaraderie available. Just lympics World Championships, where doing this,” she said, still amazed. meet more women veterans and find she competed in the shot put, discus Classified as an elite athlete, Cal- out that you are not alone.” and javelin events. Representing lahan spends a lot of time training for just one of 72 countries at the event, her events. “I couldn’t do it without By Robin Risemas

6 VAnguard • May/June 2011 Coaching Wounded Warriors to Gold VA Palo Alto’s Rod Williams is an inspiration to everyone around him, including the recently injured Marines he coached to glory in wheelchair basketball.

ecoming an athlete requires said Williams, “not that they were Great Britain and the Netherlands. stamina and endurance, but wounded warriors playing sports, but According to Williams, the com- when you’re in a wheel- the fact that they all, every single one petition was intense. The basketball chair, athletic challenges of these athletes, had such tremendous participants were divided into four can seem overwhelming. Meeting and spirit—esprit de corps—and gung-ho teams after the first week of train- Bovercoming physical obstacles is what attitudes. It was contagious.” ing. On the day of competition, they VA Palo Alto Health Care System’s The Wounded Warrior trials held a “round robin” tournament in Laboratory Information Manager were designed to help wounded, ill the morning and the games for the Rod Williams does best—and he’s an and injured athletes prepare for the medals in the afternoon. Shouldn’t inspiration to everyone around him, 2011 Wounded Warrior Games at the surprise anyone that the team Wil- including recently injured Marines. Olympic Training Center in Colorado liams coached got the gold medal. Williams lost his ability to walk Springs in May. Other events, besides “After the final event of the tour- when he contracted polio at just 9 basketball, included swimming, track nament, one of the oldest veterans, months old. Today, he is a San Jose and field, archery, pistol, rifle, cycling, a 64-year-old Vietnam veteran, em- State University graduate with degrees pentathlon and volleyball. This is the braced one of the younger warriors,” in chemistry and microbiology who second year for the games, but this said Williams. “They held on to each manages one of VA’s busiest hospi- year the Marines decided to include other, celebrating having completed tal laboratories. For 38 years he has international Marines from Australia, something special. Although they played and coached were generations apart local and interna- in life, they knew tional wheelchair they were bound by basketball and even something much won the Paralym- larger than their dis- pics Gold Medal abilities: the Marine himself in 1988. Corps Band of Broth- It was because erhood. of his skills and at- “It transcends and titude that the Ma- defines them to never rine Corps recently be a quitter, never asked him to come give up, to finish the to San Diego and mission and to love coach the wheel- the way of life they chair basketball all swore to defend. trials for the 2011 They are Marines. For Wounded Warrior all my accomplish-

Games. courtesy of rod williams ments in life, this was “It was truly Rod Williams has played and coached wheelchair basketball for 38 years, even win- an event I will always amazing to me,” ning the Paralympics Gold Medal in 1988. cherish.”

VAnguard • May/June 2011 7 The military experience can seem like an entirely new world to people who have not personally served.

t is said that the best way to understand someone is to walk a mile in their shoes, or in the case of veterans, a mile in boots while wearing 50 pounds of body armor, aI Kevlar helmet, ammunition and weapons. “Understanding what veterans have experienced directly relates to my ability to build a trusting relationship,” says Geralyn Mushinski, assistant Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment officer at the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia. “If I can make that connection, demonstrate that I get it, that’s a big step in being able to help.” “The very nature of war and its changing effect on service members and their families presents ongoing challenges and opportunities for today’s VA employee, in both large and small ways,” adds Karen Malebranche, acting chief officer for the Legislative, Regulatory and Intergovernmental Affairs Office in the Veterans Health Administration. “The key is not only to understand that these changes will keep coming, but also that in the midst of change, VA people work hard to appreciate the little things. “Just saying, ‘thank you for your service,’ or calling a veteran by his or her rank can make all the difference,” Malebranche, also a retired Army col- To Know Themusmc onel, suggests. “To have their personal sacrifices, and the sacrifices of their families, demonstrably appreciated is to Serve cannot be understated.” Just as her own field experience helped her improve care in an Army Them Better clinical environment, Malebranche believes that understanding what a veteran has endured can help VA From following proper protocol to employees improve the services they provide. treating complex injuries, The benefit of this kind of deep- seated understanding of veterans is understanding military culture what brought about development of has never been more important to the VA Military Cultural Awareness Training. The interactive 90-min- achieving our mission. ute e-learning course was launched last November by the VA Learning University under the Office of Hu-

8 VAnguard • May/June 2011 man Resources and Administration’s follow-on training for release this for every employee at VA, whether or ADVANCE initiative. summer. not they are directly interfacing with “I sought out Karen and oth- Using stories that resonate with veterans or processing benefits. “The ers like her across the Department participants, the award-winning (see training opened my perspective on our after Mike Walcoff (Acting Under sidebar) MCA training provides real- mission at VA, as well as the needs of Secretary for Benefits) asked for rich world context for the facts presented, the veterans on the other end of the customer service training to improve making it an especially effective and lines at our call center.” employee understanding of the armed engaging approach to training. It “The fact is, we have changed forces and service members,” recalls provides foundational knowledge of America in these recent wars,” Male- Alice Muellerweiss, Army veteran common military culture, customs branche adds. “The impact on families and dean, VALU. The concept was and courtesies, explains differences due to longer and more frequent de- universally embraced, and prompted between the branches of the armed ployments is very different from past swift development of the innovative forces, defines roles and ranks within generations.” program. the military, and overviews some of Malebranche speaks from per- “Already, 1,458 people have com- the conflicts in which veterans have sonal experience. Before coming to pleted the training, and the feedback served. VA 10 years ago, she served 31 years we’ve received about its content, “I was nearly brought to tears—it in the Army as an active-duty soldier, impact on providing better service, just brought so much about our vet- nurse, senior health systems analyst and the format itself, is excellent,” she erans to life for me,” says Arminda and program manager. She recalls a says. More than 4,600 people have the Guerrero, a training technician at the critical part of her own training that course on their learning plans to date. VA Health Resource Center in Tope- gave her added compassion and in- Because of this success, Muellerweiss ka, Kan., who completed the course. sight into her role as nurse. “Simply and her team are busy developing Guerrero recommends this training by suiting up in full gear, and spend-

“Just saying, ‘thank you for your service,’ or calling a veteran by his or her rank can make all the difference,” says Karen Male- branche, veteran and VA employee.. robert turtil

VAnguard • May/June 2011 9 but everyone has their devotion to What You’ll Learn From Military Cultural our mission in common. Most people Awareness Training you talk to have a family member or n The differences between the various branches of the military and their friend who served, so they have some core values. personal reason for coming, even if it’s n The common uniforms, uniform markings, and some basics on military not direct military experience. Maybe ranks and titles. that’s part of the passion—the per- n The experiences a service member goes through. sonal connection.” n Why they serve, what motivates them, and the kind of training they The military experience can seem receive. like an entirely new world to people n The major military conflicts, from World War I through the Global War who have not personally served. And on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom). even among those who have, aware- n The role the military plays in times of national disaster. ness beyond their own branch of ser- n The customs and courtesies common throughout the branches of the vice or personal experiences can seem military, and the potential implications for VA employees who work with like a different world. Clearly, being veterans and service members. better able to understand the implications of that kind of wear and tear on a veteran’s body and mind is essential ing a day walking and working side- derstand personally why that is.” to everyone at VA as they work to by-side with a combat soldier, I gained After serving veterans and their improve care. a sharper understanding of the kind families for 9-and-a-half years, a job “The simple fact is,” Mattingly of toll such duty places on a person’s Mattingly finds very rewarding, she says, “all VA employees should under- body,” Malebranche explains. says she now feels even more honored stand the need of every veteran. The Another MCA participant, Lisa to do so. “They don’t need a shoul- more we are connected to their hearts, Mattingly, a cemetery representative der to cry on, they want respect and emotions and experiences, the deeper at Lebanon National Cemetery in recognition—that’s what I can do for our respect for them will be.” Kentucky, says she was profoundly them.” She knows she has provided To register and view the MCA affected by the training. “I feel an the most professional service possible course, go to VA’s Talent Manage- even deeper sense of respect and ap- when a veteran or family member ment System, course #1341520, or go preciation for our veterans,” she says. turns to her and says, “You understand to http://bit.ly/mcacourse. For informa- “When I heard the vets talk about me.” The MCA training has helped tion about the topics included in the their experiences in the video, what her feel that much closer to the peo- course, a list of resources is available they’ve sacrificed for our freedoms, ple she works with every day. at vaww.va.gov/valu/mca.asp. To learn it made everything very real for me. “Working at VA is a labor of more about this and other training They deserve our thanks and our love,” Malebranche agrees. “We may opportunities offered by VALU, visit utmost respect … now I feel like I un- all come from different backgrounds, http://www.valu.va.gov.

VA Military Cultural Awareness Training Wins Prestigious Gold Award The MCA course was recently honored with the 2011 Best Practices in Distance Learning Pro- gramming, Gold, from the United States Distance Learning Association. USLDA, the premier distance learning association since 1987, honors organizations annually with its 21st Century Best Practices Awards. These prestigious awards are presented to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. Left: Alice Muellerweiss, dean, VALU, accepts the award from USDLA President Dr. Denzil Edge. gerry sonnenberg

10 VAnguard • May/June 2011 Army veteran Saul Bosquez and his teammates took on (and beat) an able-bodied team from the FBI during an exhibition game at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on May 6.

A Game of Their Own Every member of the first-ever all-amputee standing slow pitch softball team lost a limb serving their country in the military.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 11

robert turtil The members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team nicknamed themselves the “Body Parts.” Pictured are (left to right): Michael Meinen; Brandon Olson; Timothy Hor- ton; Saul Bosquez; and Greg Reynolds. robert turtil

t age 18, high school grad- ginning that there is a new active and As they were completing their uates begin to choose the competitive generation of veterans. duties, the vehicle hit an improvised next steps in their lives. He saw the need to provide a different explosive device. “I was happy to be These choices become re- type of rehabilitation for this genera- alive and it didn’t sink in right away,” flections of the women and men they tion by combining prosthetics and said Pinedo. Awill turn out to be over the course softball. The biggest obstacle he faced But he soon realized that they had of their lifetimes. They follow their was selecting and preparing qualified been ambushed and he was covered dreams, hoping for the best. veteran amputees for the big game, with pieces of his own arm and skin. But not all dreams lead to happy especially since a number of them had Pinedo spent the next few days in a endings. The road they choose can be not played since their amputation. field hospital as medical personnel rewarding, but many times also chal- On Aug. 25, 2003, a rocket-pro- worked on saving not only his life, but lenging. The 20 young men on the pelled grenade, used to disable combat his arm as well. Unfortunately, the first-ever all-amputee standing slow vehicles, hit Army Combat Engineer loss of blood and bone made it impos- pitch softball team selected a road to Michael Meinen’s vehicle. The RPG sible to save his arm. travel and have faced a number of did the damage it was intended to do, These are just two of the stories of struggles on their journeys. as well as significantly injuring those courage and perseverance at the soft- In March, these athletes from all onboard. ball training camp. These men went over the country got the opportunity The weapon managed to hit and from losing a significant part of their to participate in an all-amputee soft- go through all three men, including physical and mental being to discover- ball game. Veterans Integrated Service Meinen. The men were required to ing and regaining talents they thought Network 18 Prosthetics Program Man- fight for another hour before return- they’d never have again. ager David Van Sleet brought them ing to safety. That fateful day, Meinen Family, friends and work are ma- together for a weeklong spring softball lost his right leg and became an jor support systems for these veterans. training camp; the goal was to create above-the-knee amputee. And their participation in softball unity among team members and staff. Army Staff Sgt. Francisco Javier gives them an opportunity to play an The environment at the camp soon Pinedo deployed once before receiving organized sport, where teamwork and became one of encouragement and his injury in Iraq. During the tour, his positive group morale are key. support. team’s primary objective was to pre- “It’s been six years since my injury Van Sleet realized from the be- vent and halt all mortar installations. and I never once went on any trips,”

12 VAnguard • May/June 2011 said Pinedo. “I was so focused on get- The veterans’ team was formally rec- made an impression. He showed ting a job and moving on with my life. ognized at the UA Wildcats game on Pinedo that he too suffered from his I finally realized I was in a place to do Friday, March 11. They played their own injuries of war and had gone on something for myself.” first game that same night with the with his life. “My initial impression of Prosthetists Kelly Brooks, of the support of the UA and Baylor softball the VA was negative,” said Pinedo. Albuquerque VA Medical Center, teams. “I thought the VA is where you go to and Melissa Stockwell, a veteran am- VA provided care and assistance retire or die.” putee, were two of the many support to these veterans after their injuries. After giving VA a chance, he staff present during the practices and For Marine Corps Infantry Mortarman now believes the Department truly games. “You see how they adapt and Robert McCardle, the Department supports and provides valuable re- change and get back into what they helped him obtain his leg and set up sources for veterans. Pinedo serves as want to do,” said Brooks. “Everyone’s his prosthetics plan. “I try not to be a chief of prosthetics for the Las Vegas different.” needy guy and don’t like hospitals in VA Medical Center. Stockwell explained that it’s all general,” he said. Regardless, McCar- But not all veterans express their about the camaraderie. “It’s about dle’s caseworker offered him support feelings in the same way. Meinen seeing how one player with the same in navigating the health care system. took a different route in quickening amputation as another player adapts Pinedo’s experience after his se- his recovery, explaining that he re- differently to something like catching vere injury involved emotions like an- ally was never a model patient. “I was a ball.” ger and even sadness, as he dealt with tired of being in a wheelchair and on During the softball camp, all of the fact that he had become an am- crutches. I put my leg on and told the players participated in a wheel- putee. His refusal to have guests in his them if you can take it off you can chair basketball training session. They hospital room went on for two weeks, have it back.” attended a few of the University of until Fred Downs, Vietnam veteran Soon Meinen began walking Arizona women’s softball games. amputee and chief prosthetics and around on his new prosthetic leg The veterans were later split into clinical logistics officer in VA Central and he decided to start helping other two teams, with Van Sleet assuring Office, stopped by to see Pinedo. veterans. He said he became their they were split evenly by skill level. Downs’ no-nonsense attitude “ally and friend. I just wanted to take them under my wing. I’m no longer just a VA patient—I now serve as chief of prosthetics at the Amarillo (Texas) VA Health Care System.”

By Agnes Koterba

Greg Reynolds, who lost his left arm in a car accident after returning from Iraq, warms up with teammates before a game. Reynolds enlisted in the Army the day before 9/11, at the age of 17.

robert turtil

VAnguard • May/June 2011 13 Preventing Patient Violence in VA Health Care Violence prevention in the health care sector isn’t a happy topic, but VA is dealing with it through a systematic approach.

here is a science to managing violent behavior. Like any science, it builds on knowledge to understand, explain and predict events. Will a veteran who angrily threw a magazine across a wait- ing room today return and do something worse tomorrow? TAt VA health care facilities across the country, violence prevention requires a concerted effort. Clinicians and VA police are putting their heads together and speak- john lloyd ing the same language, says David Drummond, Ph.D., director of the behavioral threat management program in committee looks in the patient’s file and sees behavior the Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards. like prior assaults, selective targeting of women, abuse of This effort translates into sharing information on best stimulants, carrying weapons, or living on the street, the practices to stop violence before it escalates. incident would likely raise concerns. The first step following a disruptive episode in a health Depending on the pattern, the committee members care facility is to look carefully at all risk and mitigat- might decide to implement specific safety measures to as- ing factors for that patient, says Drummond. Risk factors sure everyone’s safety during future visits. Those measures include drug and alcohol abuse, a history of violence, or can then be flagged in a specific note on the patient re- a lowered ability to control impulses after a serious head cord. injury. When that patient comes back for care, the flag may Mitigating factors, such as strong family relationships, require VA police to be present or to have someone meet dependents, deep religious beliefs, and plans for the future with the patient to discuss the offending behavior. Such “are good news,” says Drummond. “Mitigating factors help flags are entered on the patient’s record to help clinicians keep people anchored in a peaceful mode.” care for the veteran safely. No prejudicial or inflammatory But violence isn’t just about the patient, he points out. language is used. Insensitive or disrespectful behavior on the part of employ- “We must make it possible for veterans to get the care ees, as well as facility policies or procedures, may frustrate they are entitled to, while protecting the safety of other patients. veterans and employees,” says Drummond. The incident of the veteran who threw the magazine A new federal regulation, 38 U.S.C. 501, issued on could be evaluated in a couple of ways by the medical Dec. 16, 2010, prohibits a prior practice of banning veter- center’s Disruptive Behavior Committee. The committee, ans from care if they threatened or assaulted staff but still chaired by a senior clinician, would weigh available infor- requires VA to continue to offer the full range of medical mation to decide whether the risk was significant or not. care to which a patient is eligible. The committee may conclude that it was a one-time It does authorize VA to modify the time, place or outburst related to the veteran’s frustration. But if the manner in which treatment is provided to a disruptive or

14 VAnguard • May/June 2011 threatening patient to ensure the safety of other patients vention is the key. Employees should be looking for signs and staff at VA medical facilities, and to prevent any and correlates. interference with medical care. Among the restrictions The 12-hour, four-part training program includes: VA may impose are: specifying the hours in which non- n General online training module (one hour-plus). emergency outpatient care will be provided; arranging for n Face-to-face class in which employees are taught how medical and other services to be provided in a particular to identify potentially violent situations and intervene to patient care area; requiring a police escort; and authorizing promote good outcomes. This can involve “talking people VA providers to terminate an encounter immediately if down” from escalating their behavior and using a customer certain behaviors occur. service approach, such as “How can I help you?” Almost 60 percent of workplace violence incidents in n Transition into limit setting and giving directions. Ex- the United States occur in health care settings. “Violence amples: “Put the knife down. Sit there.” The employee is is a common problem in health care, but people don’t at higher risk; patient may be grabbing or choking the em- want to acknowledge it,” says Michael Hodgson, M.D., ployee or throwing punches. Use techniques that involve chief consultant, occupational health, Office of Public weight not strength. Health and Environmental Hazards. n Therapeutic containment, a three-person technique for VA initially developed its core violence preven- containing violent behavior and getting the person to the tion program, Prevention and Management of Disruptive ground quickly. Behaviors, in the 1970s. It is now under the direction of Not every VA employee will receive or needs the Lynn Van Male, Ph.D., also in the behavioral threat man- full training. Each VA medical facility completes a work- agement program. The program teaches how to identify place violence risk assessment based on its own disruptive and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations to keep behavior data to determine the amount of training each employees and their patients safe. employee will be provided. VA has a team of master train- Van Male says there are two kinds of violence perpe- ers certified to go to facilities and teach employees how to trators: predatory (stalkers who will wait as long as it takes become a trainer. Maximum enrollment is 24 in the train- to attack the target); and affective (people who use vio- the-trainer classes, which is a five-day course. lence to neutralize a perceived or external threat). With a Patients who assault staff are often repeat perpetra- true predator, anyone is at risk. But the type primarily seen tors, according to many studies. Drummond describes a study at the Portland VA Medical Center of 50 repeatedly threatening patients. Once appropriate restrictions were placed, threats and violence in this group were virtually eliminated, and most of them made fewer emergency room visits and instead scheduled more doctor appointments. Violence prevention in the health care sector is not a happy topic, but VA is dealing with it systematically. The Department undertook a national review in 2001, leading to the implementation of the Patient Record Flagging System. Drummond compares using the patient record flag to a fire alarm. “The fire alarm doesn’t do anything on its own, but for employees who are trained, it’s an alert and they need to understand what they’re supposed to do.” All VA medical facilities are now required to offer some kind of behavioral threat training. The Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior Employee Train- ing Program is VA’s program of choice. A disturbance happens every day, in every medical john lloyd center in and out of VA. Patients may simply frighten Opposite: “Therapeutic containment,” a method of gaining some control over others with loud, disruptive behavior. Or they may throw a violent person, is demonstrated on Denton the crash test dummy in a bio- punches, threaten with knives or guns, or even use weap- mechanics laboratory at the Tampa VA Research Center of Excellence. This research verifies that these techniques are safe to use. The humans here are ons. That’s why the work of VA’s behavioral threat man- (left to right) Tim Grant, Don Farris and Jerry Pruitt; above: Pruitt and Farris agement program is so vital. “I like to think we’re saving practice therapeutic containment on Denton. lives and preventing injuries by the kind of work we do. We keep things from happening,” says Drummond. at VA is affective, she says. When these patients have a grievance, their behavior can escalate quickly. Here, pre- By JoAnn Blake

VAnguard • May/June 2011 15 Helping Families Living With Brain Injury What started as an informal support group at the 2006 Winter Sports Clinic has grown into a national nonprofit organization.

s one of the most progres- sive adaptive sports clinics in the world, the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic has been on the lead- Aing edge of rehabilitation for 25 years. Among the lesser known stories of the annual Clinic, the latest of which wrapped up April 1, is one of camaraderie and kinship that has occurred at the event—not between veteran participants, but between their loved ones. Veterans attending the Clinic this year got a surprise visitor when the Vice President took the stage during the opening ceremony March 27. Few in the audience were as surprised as Cheryl Lynch, who stood and watched as Vice President Joe Biden strode into the room wearing a lapel pin for American Veterans with Brain Injuries Inc., a nonprofit organization she set up in 2009. “To see him there, wearing our pin, was overwhelming,” Lynch said. “Brain injury is in the newspapers all the time, but nobody really knows what it is until you’ve lived it.” Living with brain injury is something she knows very well. Her son, Chris Lynch, fell from a building during a training mission while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division and suffered a severe brain injury. In that instant, her life changed forever. She quit her job and spent the next year accompanying her son as he received treatment at military jeff bowen and VA hospitals. After treatment, Army veteran Chris Lynch skis the mountain at the 25th Winter Sports Clinic.

16 VAnguard • May/June 2011 courtesy of cheryl lynch Left: Chris Lynch (wearing camo backpack) greets Vice President Joe Biden at the Winter Sports Clinic as his mother, Cheryl, looks on; above: Members of the brain injury support group at the Clinic (left to right): Sunny Brogan, Rosie Babin, Valerie Wallace, Cheryl Lynch and Debbie Schulz.

robert turtil ing common brain injury symptoms and listing a point of contact for her son was medically retired from the with brain injuries, their families and emergencies. Army. The transition home to Pensa- caregivers. About 15 people showed She also designed a medical alert cola, Fla., was particularly difficult. up. The format was simple: Veterans dog tag that points medical or law It was during this time that she introduced themselves and talked enforcement personnel to the tri-fold first learned of the Winter Sports briefly about their lives. card for information. “I made this Clinic through a newspaper article. As one veteran began to speak, originally for Chris, but I realized they She called Clinic Director Sandy he abruptly broke down in tears. It can benefit all veterans with brain in- Trombetta and registered to attend was the first time he had ever spoken juries,” Lynch said. the event in 2003. about his brain injury. Today, the AVBI website has That first year was an eye-opening “At that moment, I knew this more than 3,000 veterans registered. experience for her and her son. Skiing could be very powerful,” Lynch ex- Lynch knows many of them by name. the mountain and sharing the mo- plained. Through the site, they receive the dog ment with his fellow veterans awak- Babin agreed. “Peer-to-peer con- tags, wallet cards, a subscription to ened something in her son. But it also nections are invaluable,” he said. “For a Web-based cognitive exercise pro- left him feeling somewhat isolated and the first time, we realized that we are gram, and grants to attend adaptive alone. “Chris felt like he was the only not the only ones going through this, sporting events like the Winter Sports one with a brain injury. His symptoms and that was huge.” Clinic. And she still holds the annual weren’t readily visible and he often When Lynch returned to Florida support group meetings at the Clinic, felt like he was on the outside looking following the Clinic, she started which now has about 50 attendees. in,” she recalled. American Veterans with Brain Inju- When her son gave a lapel pin In subsequent years, she noticed ries Inc., as a peer support network to Vice President Biden, Lynch never more and more participants with brain and resource website (www.avbi.org). expected him to wear it. So when he injuries. One of them was Alan Babin One of the site’s key features was a did, she felt a strong sense of purpose. Jr., who, like her son, had served with chat room where veterans and their “My life changed forever when Chris the 82nd Airborne Division. She im- loved ones could discuss issues they was injured,” she said. “Now I want to mediately felt a kindred spirit with his were facing. give others a reason for hope and the mother, Rosie. As her son’s recovery progressed, possibility for a brighter future.” “The family members, we all he began venturing further and fur- Sponsored by VA and the Dis- share a connection,” said Lynch. “We ther from home. Sometimes, trouble abled American Veterans, the Clinic can relate our struggles, our hopes, our would follow. “There were several is hosted each year by the Grand fears; there is an immediate connec- run-ins with police,” Lynch said. Junction VA Medical Center. For in- tion.” Law enforcement officers mistook formation, visit www.wintersportsclinic. That year at the Clinic, 2006, her son’s brain injury symptoms for va.gov. Lynch put together an impromptu signs of intoxication. In response, she support group meeting for veterans created a tri-fold wallet card describ- By Matt Bristol

VAnguard • May/June 2011 17 John Dodson, a VA vocational rehabilitation specialist, once lived here at Bryce House, a transitional residence in Tulsa, Okla., where homeless veterans can live for 24 months while recovering from substance abuse. Dodson now works with From Iraq to homeless veterans at Bryce House to help them find employment in Homeless to the local community. Advocate for Homeless Veterans With VA’s help, an Army veteran overcomes alcoholism and homelessness and now helps homeless veterans get back on their feet.

nathan schaeffer ohn Dodson was finally let go In 1998, Dodson transitioned out Mortar, sniper fire and rocket from his job in February 2006. of the Army after 13 years of service attacks became part of the rhythm His job performance had suf- and accepted a job offer with a de- of life for Dodson, and his deep con- fered ever since he returned fense contractor, which paid double nection with the troops he lived and from the Middle East in September his Army salary. In the Army, Dodson worked alongside caused him anguish 2004,J where he worked as a private served as an electronics warfare sub- when daily casualty reports were an- contractor for 18 months. station repairer and systems adminis- nounced. Flights in and out of Iraq Dodson was unable to make trator, and his extensive knowledge brought increased anguish. his mortgage payments, and several of secret military communication “It was terribly sobering to get on months later he moved in with his networks made him a valuable com- a cargo plane that was flying out of neighbors after his home in Augusta, modity for private employers. the country and find flag-draped cof- Ga., was repossessed. For years, Dodson lived the fins anchored down the center aisle His story is all too similar to those American dream with a well-paying of the fuselage,” said Dodson. “Those of some American troops who have job, family and his own home. flights were always very quiet and no returned home from war and struggled But his life changed completely one would say a word throughout the to reintegrate back into normal, ev- when he accepted a new job to work entire trip.” eryday civilian life. Like some combat as a private contractor in Kuwait and Dodson returned home a changed veterans, Dodson turned to alcohol as Iraq, where he helped ensure that se- man. a coping mechanism, and his drink- cret military communication networks “When I came home from Iraq, ing led him down a destructive path remained operational 24/7. Motivated I didn’t realize I was bringing all this where he lost his wife and children, partly by patriotism and a lucrative extra baggage with me,” he said. “I job, house, credit, truck and dignity. six-figure salary, Dodson left his nor- don’t think many of us do, and if we His transformation from an ac- mal life and family behind. have an inkling of an idea that we complished veteran, a college gradu- Dodson went to the Middle East are bringing it home, we tend to not ate with a double major in computer under military orders; he ate, lived want to face it, and not seek out help science and journalism and a success- and worked with troops in Baghdad, for it.” ful career, to alcoholic and homeless and also traveled to forward operat- Within a couple of weeks of veteran was shocking for the people in ing bases throughout Iraq to maintain returning home, Dodson lost his his life who knew him best. communication networks. father to cancer. Two months after

18 VAnguard • May/June 2011 that, he got a call from his uncle on VA, Dodson’s recovery and restora- natural ability to connect with other New Year’s Day, informing him that tion were set in motion. He received people who are struggling with some his mother had died in her sleep the mental health and substance abuse of the same things that he once strug- night before. treatment, and the homeless program gled with.” His drinking and erratic behavior staff secured him a placement at Goldman hired Dodson in Janu- began to increase and his relationships 12&12 Inc., a residential substance ary, which gave him a new mission and performance at work suffered sig- abuse treatment center in Tulsa, in life to help homeless veterans find nificantly. Six months later, Dodson where he lived for seven months. employment in the local community returned home from work to find that After completing the 12&12 and regain their dignity. his wife had taken their children and treatment program, the homeless pro- Dodson is now an advocate for left him. gram staff got Dodson a room in Bryce homeless veterans and is contacting “Suddenly, I simply couldn’t House, a transitional residence where employers to set up interviews, work- figure out what I was living for any- veterans can live for 24 months while ing as a case manager and counselor, more,” he said. “That’s when I began recovering from substance abuse. and assisting veterans with interview to spiral in, and there were five or “Nothing less than God could and resume preparation. six really ugly, black, dark years. I have put together a better staff or pro- “I’ve been one of these guys,” said proceeded to drink all the time, for gram than these places offered me,” Dodson. “I was homeless and in and months, hoping that I would just die said Dodson. “They saved my life and out of places, living with relatives, in my sleep. I remember drinking restored me back to an even better and I’ve been through rehabilitative night and day, hating it when I would potential than I ever had before in my services myself. I have walked in their wake up still alive.” life.” shoes. So I do understand their aspira- His drinking led to alcoholism At Bryce House, veterans are tions and, as well, the obstacles in life and he eventually lost his top-secret required to work, volunteer in the that they now have to overcome.” security clearance and his career as a community or attend school. Dodson Thanks to the staff at the Musko- result. volunteered 40 hours a week at the gee VA, especially the homeless After losing his home, Dodson Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic program staff, Dodson has been sober lived off and on with his sister in in Tulsa, helping veterans with forms, for more than two years, made a full Houston, sometimes washing cars for requests and eligibility questions. recovery from his depression and now pocket money so he could buy beer In 2010, a door opened for Dod- lives on his own in an apartment. and liquor. According to Dodson, son when VA announced a new Dodson expressed his gratitude to drinking was the only way he could initiative to hire former homeless the homeless program staff. find any temporary relief from his de- veterans to work as vocational reha- “I sometimes have to pinch my- pression and anxiety. bilitation specialists with the homeless self to realize that I am working along- In August 2008, he moved to program staff at each VA medical side them now,” he said. “I intend to Oklahoma to be with his ailing grand- center across the nation. earn and somehow pay back all of the father, and he hoped it would offer a Dodson was one of seven ap- professional and compassionate care new start where he could get his life plicants for the new position in and understanding that was given to and health back. Muskogee, and his volunteer work me. You want to witness modern-day “But watching my grandfather at the Tulsa Outpatient Clinic and miracles? Spend a few days with this waste away, feeling helpless in know- VA-sponsored homeless stand down team.” ing there was nothing I could do, put in Tulsa impressed Melanie Goldman, The future looks bright for Dod- me right back in the place I was with the Muskogee VA’s homeless program son. He has regained his relationship all the other losses—my mom and manager. with his children, and the former dad, the kids we lost in the war, my “John and I were talking with a journalism major hopes to write a children,” said Dodson. “But somehow homeless veteran who I’ve known for book about his experiences. He is this was worse. It was the last straw for at least 10 years, and the conversation also working on a novel he promised me, and I simply gave up.” between the homeless veteran and his children years ago that he would In December of that same year, me was pretty standard, touching on write. Dodson finally drank too much and surface-type things,” said Goldman. “My ultimate dream was always ended up in the emergency room and “John, who has known this homeless to be a novelist,” said Dodson. “I will was admitted as an inpatient at the veteran for mere months, was able to finish the novel, and then probably Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical connect with that person within the pursue some publishers. We’ll see.” Center in Muskogee. first two minutes of their conversa- As an inpatient at the Muskogee tion. He has a natural empathy, a By Nathan Schaeffer

VAnguard • May/June 2011 19 After the Storm

t 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, the community of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was struck by a tornado that left a mile-wide swath through the city, killing dozens and injuring hundreds more. AAlmost instantly, the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center became a community shelter. It was also desig- nated by local authorities as the city’s primary morgue. “When we became the primary morgue for the crisis, our staff took up the challenge at once,” said Alan Tyler, the medical center’s director. “To be hon- est, some of our people were not prepared, psychologi- cally, to deal with the number and appearance of the bodies—especially the children. But our staff did their jobs and handled themselves like professionals. “We functioned as a hospital, a morgue, and a shelter. We fed people and clothed them, gave them a place to sleep. We tried to comfort them. We did bereavement counseling with all the families who came in to identify their loved ones.” Damon Stevenson, the Tuscaloosa VA’s public affairs officer, said one bereavement effort was particularly heart wrenching. “On April 28, we had two families here who were meeting each other for the first time, but under very tragic circumstances,” he reported. “Each family had a daughter attending the University of Alabama. They were roommates. Both died in the storm. The two families came together here, at the Tuscaloosa VA, to comfort one another.” “It was one of the most emotional events I’ve ever witnessed,” said Daniel Pettey, a patient advocate at the medical center. “The two mothers immediately embraced. They shared an instant, tragic bond. It was April Jones witnessing moments like this that made me realize the reality of the situation we were facing.” Stevenson said that in addition to displaced families, many local veterans were brought to the medical center for shelter and care. “The professionalism I witnessed from the medical center staff In the aftermath through this horrific event was truly amazing,” he said. “We had employees performing duties that many of them had never been asked of a deadly tornado, to perform. They did so with a sense of duty I can only compare to a battle-tested military unit. One day before the disaster, I saw an the Tuscaloosa VA employee from Human Resources processing paperwork. A few days later, I saw that same employee carrying a body bag.” steps up to help the Laura Balun, director of Voluntary Service at VA Central Of- community. fice, said local volunteers began showing up at the Tuscaloosa VA within hours after the tornado struck.

20 VAnguard • May/June 2011 Opposite: Rochelle Walker, a registered nurse on the Valor Unit for Rehabilitation at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, places clips in 4-year-old Jaeanna’s hair. Walker spent hours volunteering in the Red Cross shelter, bonding with the children there and even buying them toys out of her own pocket to replace the ones they’d lost in the tornado;

Left: VA employees at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center sort through donated clothing at the Red Cross shelter set up in the facility’s Sports Atrium.

Below: VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel greets Army veteran Mark Booth at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center on May 4. Booth and other veterans were inside a local Salvation Army building when it was destroyed by the tornado.

april jones

“I’m told that members of veterans service organizations who volunteer at the medical center began collecting and delivering donations of clothing, personal care items and other things needed for citizens who were seeking shelter at the VA,” she explained. “Apparently, baby diapers turned out to be a hot item.” “At the VA we’ve never needed baby diapers before,” Stevenson said. “But our volunteers stepped up to the plate, as they always do, and had these items to the medical center in record time. “We are a community,” he added. “We just did our part to assist our community in any way we could.”

Connie Booth, a management michelle lepianka carter/tuscaloosa news analyst at the Tuscaloosa VA, said she saw “some beautiful stories emerge” this painful process for the husband, to prepare bodies for viewing by in the midst of the carnage, loss and our VA photographer took the time families. They wiped and cleaned and heartbreak. to go into the morgue and take very covered bodies to make them more “On Thursday morning (April detailed photos of the lady from the presentable. 28), a family arrived at the morgue neck down. When the man saw the “How do you comfort a mother viewing area to identify their 21-year- photos of his wife’s shirt, her ring, a who comes in to positively ID her old daughter,” she explained. “After- small scar, he was easily able to iden- 1-year-old child?” she asked. “Well, wards, our staffers hugged them, sat tify her. Thanks to the extra efforts of you don’t. You cry with her. But you with them, held their hands. our staff, an already traumatized indi- tell her, ‘I hope it brings you some “On Friday, an elderly gentleman vidual did not have to suffer through peace to know that your beautiful came in to identify his deceased wife,” another shock when making a positive little girl has been handled with great she continued. “They had been mar- identification of his wife’s body. care and love while here with us, and ried 50 years. The staff determined “Over and over,” Booth con- we all truly are grieving with you.” that his wife had sustained major trau- tinued, “VA staffers who had never ma to her face. In an effort to lessen worked in a morgue took the time By Tom Cramer

VAnguard • May/June 2011 21 ‘Discovery and Collaboration for Exceptional Health Care’ VA and Its Academic Research Week a Triumphant Partners: United by a Salute to VA Investigators’ Progress, Common Commitment Partnerships to Veterans’ Health During Research Week, May 2-6, VA shone the spotlight on the remarkable By Joel Kupersmith, M.D. health-promoting achievements of its researchers. Chief Research The theme for 2011’s Research Week, “Discov- and Development Officer ery and Collaboration for Exceptional Health Care,” fter World War II, there was a shortage of VA physicians trained to meet the had a dual emphasis: the unprecedented health care needs of returning veterans. To address this need, all-important translation Public Law 293 was introduced in 1946, allowing VA to recruit thousands of of research findings into new physicians. advancements in veterans’ This measure was immediately followed by VA Policy Memorandum Number 2, Awhich provided the legal basis for affiliations between VA and the nation’s medical health care; and the ongoing productive collabora- schools and launched a long tradition of VA-academic partnerships for veteran-focused tions between VA and its health research and care. The VA-academic collaborations continue to this day, equip- academic affiliates, as well ping our nation to meet the 21st-century health care needs of veterans. as its counterpart federal Over the last several decades, VA’s medical research sophistication has become an agencies. increasingly critical priority, as medical knowledge has blossomed exponentially and Current veterans veterans’ health care needs have grown in complexity. These needs include conditions are facing a wide range particularly common among veterans returning from combat, such as post-traumatic stress of deployment and non- disorder, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and also chronic illnesses, such deployment health issues, as diabetes and hypertension, which are becoming more common as veterans and other such as traumatic brain Americans live longer. injury, post-traumatic Many Americans are surprised to learn the history of accomplishment in the VA re- stress disorder, spinal cord search program, and of the unique pairing of VA medical centers with the nation’s medi- injury, vision and hearing cal schools. This year’s Research Week, held May 2-6, with a full schedule of compelling loss, stroke and chronic events at VA Central Office on May 5, celebrated a dual-pronged theme: “Discovery and illness. In all of these ar- Collaboration for Exceptional Health Care.” eas and many more, VA The week honored VA’s thriving academic affiliations that for 65 years since the his- has markedly advanced toric memo have magnified the VA research program’s impact on the health of veterans veterans’ health and care and others and helped keep VA at the leading edge of medical research and care. These by swiftly translating its enduring public-private partnerships have enriched the learning environment in VA groundbreaking findings facilities as well as university medical schools and teaching hospitals; spurred remarkable in the scientific laboratory progress in medical research; and achieved far-reaching improvements in health care for into improved treatments at veterans and all Americans. patients’ bedsides. VA’s contributions to Training the Next Generation VA’s partnership with academic institutions can take much of the credit for training continued on page 24 the next generation of educators, doctors and researchers so they can transform health

22 VAnguard • May/June 2011 cody pickens care for veterans and others. Through its academic affiliations, VA conducts the largest education and training effort for health professionals in the United States, with more than 115,000 clinicians-in-training receiving at least some of their health professional training in VA in 2010 alone. By nurturing health professionals and familiarizing them with VA’s vital mission, academic affiliations attract exceptionally skilled health professionals to the agency. An additional facet of the public-private collaborations is that most VA investigators Above: VA and University of also teach at an affiliated university medical school, and in many cases provide patient California, San Francisco urology researcher Dr. Rajvir Dahiya, care at the university’s hospital. Open the pages of any leading journal, such as the New right, with lab members (from England Journal of Medicine or the Journal of the American Medical Association, and you’ll left) Dr. Long-Cheng Li, Dr. Emily see studies by authors with dual affiliations—the VA Boston Healthcare System and Har- Noonan, Dr. Robert Place and vard University Medical School, for example; or the VA Connecticut Healthcare System Deepa Pookot. and Yale University School of Medicine.

A Model VA-University Partnership An additional legacy of Memorandum Number 2 is the many research Centers of Ex- cellence nationwide that are under the joint auspices of VA and an affiliated university. One example of a fruitful joint effort of this type is the Center for Restorative and

VAnguard • May/June 2011 23 Research Week cont. tions such as brainstem stroke, spinal improved veterans’ care are often ac- long and illustrious history of VA- cord injury and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s complished in close collaboration with academic collaboration. disease). academic partners who are also stead- n Col. Greg Gadson, Army Wounded Other work at the center is fo- fastly committed to veterans’ health. Warrior Program commander, speak- cused on creating “biohybrid” pros- And while the agency takes pride in its ing about the invaluable teamwork thetic limbs that combine human achievements as an intramural research among researchers from various fed- tissue with synthetic, biocompatible program, it also gratefully embraces eral government agencies. materials and mechanical elements. such fruitful collaborations with world- n E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., vice Another prime example of VA- class academic, as well as government, president for medical affairs and dean academic collaboration is the Cleve- colleagues. of the University of Maryland School land Functional Electrical Stimula- For 65 years since the historic of Medicine, speaking about VA-aca- tion Center. The FES Center—a Memorandum Number 2 joined VA and demic partnerships from the university collaboration of the Louis Stokes VA the Association of American Medical perspective. Medical Center, Case Western Re- Colleges as partners in health research, n Gregg Zoroya, USA Today reporter, serve University and MetroHealth— education and training, the Department’s presenting his novel beat-writer’s represents the game-changing health dynamic collaborations have enriched viewpoint on war’s impact, including discoveries that can be made by VA the learning environment in VA facili- its serious health consequences. investigators with like-minded part- ties and university medical schools and n Stephen Cochran, veteran and ners. teaching hospitals; stimulated tremen- country music singer-songwriter, Specifically, the FES Center fo- dous progress in medical research; and moderating a panel of veterans shar- cuses on improving the quality of life abundantly improved health care for ing their experiences participating in for those with neurological or muscu- veterans and all Americans. VA research. loskeletal impairments, including pa- On May 5, distinguished Research VA’s medical centers and part- ralysis, by applying electrical currents Week speakers—including veterans ners across the country observed to generate or suppress nervous system who have participated in VA Research Research Week in their facilities by activity. FES can produce and control studies—convened at VA Central Office presenting their research discoveries the movement of paralyzed limbs for to discuss some of the research findings and innovations that have improved hand grasp and standing; activate that have led to important advancements veterans’ health care. VA facilities bodily functions such as bladder con- in veterans’ health care and the impact touted their exceptional research trol or respiration; create perceptions of research participation on quality of contributions by holding open houses; such as skin sensibility; and stop unde- lives. setting up research displays and slide sired activity such as pain or spasms. In addition to several veterans, shows; and holding veteran apprecia- The Center’s research promises presenters included VA Chief of Staff tion programs featuring VA research- to translate into vast improvements John Gingrich; Under Secretary for ers, local officials, and veteran partici- in the lives of those with spinal cord Health Robert A. Petzel, M.D.; Deputy pants in VA studies. injuries, stroke, and ultimately a wide Under Secretary for Policy and Services Additional information about range of additional health conditions. Madhulika Agarwal, M.D.; and Chief Research Week 2011, including more Already, FES systems have helped Research and Development Officer about the packed schedule of events those with paralysis to cup their hands Joel Kupersmith, M.D. Guest speakers held at research offices across the to pick up a drinking glass or other included: country and VA Central Office, can object and to achieve a hand grasp for n Ann C. Bonham, Ph.D., chief scientific be found at www.research.va.gov/ activities such as writing and brushing officer with the AAMC, discussing the researchweek. their teeth. Researchers at the FES Center are now working on a project, called the Networked Neuroprosthesis Regenerative Medicine, a partnership brain signals. The brain impulses are System, or NNPS, that would help between the Providence (R.I.) VA decoded by an external computer some people with paralysis to move Medical Center, Brown University, and translated into commands for their arms while simultaneously con- and the Massachusetts Institute of electronic or robotic devices, thus trolling bladder and cough functions, Technology. One of the higher-profile enabling users to move prosthetic or to control their legs and bladder projects in the works at this site is limbs or communicate via computers. simultaneously. BrainGate. The technology promises to offer new The system uses tiny electrodes independence for veterans and others More Exemplars of Collaboration implanted into the brain to pick up who are paralyzed as a result of condi- More groundbreaking research

24 VAnguard • May/June 2011 Defense. In terms of funding the vital work of VA investigators and their partners in research, the National In- stitutes of Health has made a crucial contribution.

Perpetual Commitment We at VA look forward to continuing the synergistic efforts with our dedicated partners who, like us, cherish the opportunity to improve veter-

michael moody strides attributable to VA-academic affiliations include: Above: The Portland- n Zeroing in on Brain Disorders. based Evidence Synthe- The Center for Imaging of Neurode- sis Program group of generative Diseases, the only imaging Dr. Mark Helfand (second from left) includes center in VA devoted exclusively to (from left) Dr. Devan magnetic resonance imaging of the Kansagara, Dr. Steven human brain, is homing in on clues Dobscha and Michele Freeman; right: Dr. to conditions such as Alzheimer’s Jeffery Kocsis (left), disease, Parkinson’s disease, and post- Heather Mallozzi and traumatic stress disorder. Located at Dr. Masanori Sasaki, with the West Haven the VA medical center campus of the (Conn.) VA Medical University of California, San Francis- Center and Yale Uni- co, CIND is home to a diverse team of versity, view in vivo images of neural re- researchers with expertise in clinical pair that resulted from care, physics and computer science. cell therapy. n Reaching Out to Alzheimer’s robert lisak Families. Researchers with VA and several universities conducted an n Finding Genetically Engineered ans’ health and lives through scien- effort called REACH, short for “Re- AIDS Vaccines. Led by a researcher tific discovery. Particularly in today’s sources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s with the VA New York Harbor economic climate, such partnerships Caregiver Health,” to teach family Healthcare System and New York are invaluable—enabling researchers caregivers how to reduce stress, solve University, an international team of to share and leverage resources, from problems, and manage difficult behav- researchers with expertise in immu- equipment to expertise, in ways that iors of family members with Alzheim- nology, virology and other specialized vastly improve efficiency and produc- er’s disease. In REACH studies, im- sciences is isolating powerful antibod- tivity. provements were shown across many ies seen in patients who have HIV, VA has the unique potential, areas, including improved emotional identifying structures on the virus together with our academic partners well-being overall and an hour a day surface targeted by the antibodies, in health research and care, to make gained away from caregiving duties, all and integrating them into genetically discoveries in the laboratory and de- at a relatively low cost. engineered vaccines for testing in liver them as quickly as possible to Based on these positive results, animals. the patient’s bedside. Though each VA, led by a team at the Memphis The Center for Imaging of Neu- generation of veterans presents a new VA Medical Center and University rodegenerative Disease and some set of health challenges, our essential of Tennessee Health Science Center, other leading centers that involve VA mission remains the same: discover- is parlaying REACH into an ongoing researchers—among them, the McK- ing ways to enhance health care for program to help caregivers of veterans night Brain Institute in Gainesville, those who have so selflessly served with Alzheimer’s. Also, the program is Fla., under the auspices of the Uni- this country, and returning these cou- being modified to help the caregivers versity of Florida—involve three-way rageous veterans to their vital roles of those with spinal cord injury and collaborations among VA, its univer- within the family and larger commu- traumatic brain injury. sity partners, and the Department of nity.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 25 AROUND HEADQUARTERS

VA Partners With Easter Seals to Train Veteran Family Caregivers

VA and Easter Seals formally eligible post-9/11 veterans will announced a partnership to receive comprehensive training provide comprehensive care- developed by Easter Seals in giver training to family care- collaboration with VA clinical givers of eligible post-9/11 experts. It is part of a pack- veterans as authorized by the age of new services that also Caregivers and Veterans Om- includes a monthly stipend, nibus Health Services Act of mental health services and 2010. access to medical care under “We at VA are very the Civilian Health and Medi- pleased to partner with a re- cal Program of the Depart- nowned organization such as ment of Veterans Affairs, or Easter Seals in developing the CHAMPVA, if the primary best possible training program family caregiver is not entitled for family caregivers,” said to care or services under a Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. health plan contract. “Throughout its long history, Easter Seals has been Easter Seals has demonstrated helping people with disabilities its strong commitment to and special needs, and their supporting our nation’s active families, live better lives for robert turtil duty military, veterans and more than 90 years. From Family caregiver advocate Sarah Wade addresses the audience at the an- their families.” child development centers to nouncement of the VA-Easter Seals partnership at the Easter Seals Harry and “Easter Seals is proud physical rehabilitation and Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center in Silver Spring, Md., on May 9. Seated behind her are (from left): Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); VA Under to share our expertise and job training for people with Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel; Easter Seals President and CEO James knowledge with this important disabilities, Easter Seals offers E. Williams Jr.; Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region Chairman of group of family caregivers, a variety of services to help the Board Phil Panzarella; and VA Chief Consultant for Care Management and taking care of loved ones who people address life’s challenges Social Work Deborah Amdur. returned home with serious and achieve personal goals. injuries after their post-9/11 Family caregivers of eli- pected to start in June, and Caregiver support coordi- service to our nation,” ex- gible post-9/11 veterans will monthly stipends, which are nators are stationed at 153 VA plained James E. Williams Jr., have a choice of how to receive backdated to the day applica- medical centers and available president and chief executive their training. Options will tions are formally submitted, by phone at 1-877-222-VETS officer of Easter Seals. “We are include traditional classroom could begin as early as July. (8387) to assist veterans and honored to help these veterans training, online learning or a Veterans may download family caregivers with the ap- and their families.” correspondence course. a copy of the family caregiver plication process. Caregivers of Beginning May 9, fam- All family caregivers will program application at veterans from all eras are also ily caregivers and veterans can be expected to complete train- www.caregiver.va.gov. The ap- encouraged to use the website apply for services authorized ing as part of the preparation plication enables the veteran and support line to explore under a VA interim final rule to start receiving other services to designate a primary family more than two dozen other that was published on May 5. under the new program. The caregiver and secondary family services VA provides caregiv- Eligible family caregivers of first training courses are ex- caregivers. ers.

Training VA’s Minority Veterans Program Coordinators

The Center for Minority national cemeteries. needs of minority veterans. 40 percent were minority vet- Veterans conducts its 11th bi- The national confer- Presentations focus on cultural erans. The MVPCs also sup- ennial Minority Veterans Pro- ence provides support for competency, communication ported the Secretary’s goal to gram Coordinators National training and education to ap- (consistent messaging), and eliminate homelessness among Training Conference June proximately 200 MVPCs to outreach. veterans by conducting more 6-10 in Dallas. The conference increase their effectiveness and In fiscal year 2010, the than 1,000 homeless outreach targets individuals appointed outreach efforts to minority MVPCs conducted more than activities; they saw more than by facility directors in the role veterans, as well as support ac- 16,000 outreach activities with 83,000 veterans, of which 50 of MVPCs at VA medical tivities that educate and sensi- more than 1 million veterans percent were minority veter- centers, regional offices and tize internal staff to the unique and family members, of which ans.

26 VAnguard • May/June 2011 AROUND HEADQUARTERSOUTLOOK

Six Honored With Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing

Each year the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing and Advance- ment of Nursing Programs is given to individuals who have been nominated by their colleagues for outstanding service to veterans and VA. Chosen from individual medical centers, the nominees go through a rigorous review process and are selected based on best characteristics and the highest level of dedication to their profession. The 2011 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing and the Secretary’s Award for Advancement of Nursing Programs winners are: Registered Nurse–Linda Hudson, VA Maryland Health Care System, Perry Point; Registered Nurse (Expanded Role)–Christine Locke, Portland (Ore.) VA Medical Center; Licensed Practi- cal Nurse–Faith Andrulot, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, emerson sanders Columbia, Mo.; Nursing Assistant– Karie Drollinger, VA Illiana Health VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, far right, meets with the 2011 national nursing award winners in his office: (left to right) Christine Locke; Karie Drollinger; Faith Andrulot; Linda Hudson; Mary Care System, Danville, Ill.; Director– Walters; and Michael Winn. Michael Winn, Central Arkansas Vet- erans Healthcare System, Little Rock; and Nurse Executive–Mary Walters, Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, Tucson. The winners were honored at the Secretary’s Award ceremony on May 10 at VA Central Office.

VA and AFGE Sign New Collective Bargaining Agreement

ing agreement, their first since 1997. This contract will enhance VA’s partnership with the union, change the rules for teleworking and expand the use of e-mail in labor-management relations. “This new agreement reflects VA’s commitment to collaborate with an important labor partner,” said Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “The outcome will be a more highly motivated, more effective workforce serving our nation’s veterans.” About 204,000 of VA’s 315,000 employees are eligible for AFGE membership, with another 23,000 employees eligible for membership in four other unions. Secretary Shinseki approved the contract on March 15. The complete labor agreement was signed March 28 by Shin- seki, AFGE leadership and the VA and AFGE members of the bargaining teams at an internal event that was broadcast at VA facilities around the country. emerson sanders Among the provisions of the contract are: n Enhanced collaboration with union officials on work-related VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki signs the agreement with (left to right): Leslie Wiggins, VA deputy assistant secretary; Alma Lee, president of issues; AFGE’s national VA council; and John Gage, AFGE national president. n Expansion of teleworking among employees, including clarifi- cation of rules governing telework; and VA and the American Federation of Government Employees n Increased reliance upon e-mails and new technology in labor- reached final agreement on a new national collective bargain- management communications and processes.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 27 AROUND HEADQUARTERS

Answering the Call to Assist Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma

April is Sexual Assault Aware- ness Month, and as in previ- ous years, VA facilities across the country capitalized on the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to assisting veterans who experienced sexual assault and harassment in the military. Facility military sexual trauma coordinators engaged in a range of activities throughout the month of April to raise awareness about the impact of MST, the free MST-related care available through VA, and the implications that experiences of MST can have for veterans’ health care. These efforts fit well with other recent VA initiatives to improve veterans’ ability to access MST-related health care, most prominently “Answer the Call,” an awareness-raising campaign from the VA Office of Mental Health Services that is based on the premise that all VA staff have a role to play in david haas ensuring veterans have access In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the VA San Diego Healthcare System hosted a to MST-related care. As part “Clothesline Project” visual display to raise awareness of military sexual trauma. Veterans were invited to of this campaign, the Office of decorate T-shirts or uniforms to reflect their experiences of sexual trauma and recovery. Mental Health Services’ MST Support Team has been dis- related to their experiences of coordinators to launch local the program for new operators seminating strategies and tools MST. Taking that first step initiatives of their own aimed who join the staff. MST coordinators can use to to speak up can be incredibly at streamlining the experi- Dr. Susan McCutcheon, director of Family Services, “Taking that first step to speak up can be incredibly difficult and it’s Women’s Mental Health and important for VA to respond positively when veterans ask for help.” MST in the Office of Mental Health Services, says, “I have assist their key facility front- difficult and it’s important for ences of veterans calling with been so pleased at the energy line staff, such as telephone VA to respond positively when MST-related questions. For and new partnerships between operators and clinic clerks, in veterans ask for help.” example, at the Tennessee Val- MST coordinators and admin- responding to requests for in- Things such as being fa- ley Healthcare System, MST istrative staff that have resulted formation about MST. miliar with the terms “military coordinators Dr. Stacey Owen from the Answer the Call Dr. Amy Street, director sexual trauma” and “MST,” and Dr. Michele Panucci campaign. These connections of Education and Training being able to identify and worked with their Business lay important groundwork for for the MST Support Team, direct callers to the MST co- Office to implement a new continuing to strengthen VA’s explains, “We wanted to fos- ordinator, and being sensitive online training for telephone response to the issue of MST.” ter dialogue between MST to veterans’ privacy concerns operators and clerks on the To learn more about coordinators and frontline are particularly important for basics of MST and how to MST, visit www.mentalhealth. staff throughout VA, to raise frontline staff, Street notes. manage MST-related calls ef- va.gov/msthome.asp; VA staff awareness about the experi- The Answer the Call fectively. The collaboration has can also find information on ence veterans might have when campaign has provided a use- been so beneficial that Tennes- the Intranet at vaww.mst. trying to reach out for help ful starting point for MST see Valley plans to continue va.gov.

28 VAnguard • May/June 2011 AROUND HEADQUARTERSOUTLOOK

Answering the Call to Assist Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma Employees’ Bold Ideas Fuel Vocational Rehabilitation Improvements

The Veterans Benefits Admin- improve the quality of this there about how we can keep The first Employee In- istration and the VA Innova- important service, and foster getting better, and I’m very novation Competition, which tion Initiative (VAi2) recently open employee engagement. excited to see which ones rise President Obama announced launched the Department’s The VR&E program to the top.” in 2009, also focused on VBA third Employee Innovation exists to help veterans who The 2011 VBA Employee and was aimed at solutions Competition, the second for have service-connected dis- Innovation Competition used to help eliminate the claims VBA. This year’s competition ability ratings of 10 percent crowd-sourcing software that backlog. More than 3,000 calls on the VBA workforce to and higher. The program helps allowed all VBA employees to ideas were submitted by VBA submit their innovative ideas these veterans re-establish their submit ideas and vote on their employees, and 6,000 offered for improving the Vocational careers, or in many cases, be- favorites. After the employee comments. Rehabilitation and Employ- gin new ones. submission and voting phase The competition yielded ment program. For veterans whose dis- ended, evaluation panels began promising initiatives aimed at The 2011 VBA Employee abilities prevent them from go- reviewing the top vote-getting creating a culture of account- Innovation Competition, ing back to work immediately, proposals and selecting final- ability and advocacy, reen- which received submissions VR&E helps them live as in- ists. gineering business processes, through April 29, solicited dependently as possible. (Learn The finalists will travel to and deploying leading-edge ideas in five areas, including: more at www.vba.va.gov/bln/ Washington, D.C., to pres- technology. Several of the win- reducing the time to make vre.) ent their ideas to a panel of ning initiatives proposed by entitlement decisions; increas- “After seeing the success senior VA leaders, including employees in 2009 are now ing retention rates; and ensur- of last year’s employee com- the Deputy Secretary, Chief being deployed nationally and ing veterans who are entitled petition, we were very excited Information Officer, Chief have become integrated into to VR&E’s programs go on to turn the creative powers Technology Officer, and Un- permanent VA policy. to use them. VBA hopes the of VBA’s employees on our der Secretaries for Benefits and Watch for more news this competition will increase program,” said Ruth Fanning, Health. The best ideas will re- summer on the winning ideas awareness of the program director of VR&E. “I know ceive funding and support for for Vocational Rehabilitation among the workforce, help there are a lot of ideas out testing in VBA. and Employment.

Employees Honored During Public Service Recognition Week

When the Partnership for tively responded, ‘Why don’t Public Service announced we do something here?’ If we that, due to congressional can’t showcase to the public, funding, it would not host the why not to our colleagues who annual showcase of govern- work 9, 10, 11-plus hour days, ment agencies on the National yet have no idea what others Mall in Washington, D.C., do or the myriad services avail- during Public Service Recog- able to us? We decided to use nition Week, May 1-7, the the opportunity to put on a members of the VA Central week like no other.” Office PSRW committee were The week began with a understandably disappointed. broadcast kickoff event hosted VA had participated every year by Deputy Secretary W. Scott since President Reagan created Gould and featuring guest PSRW in 1985, and there had speaker Max Stier, president always been a Mall event. and CEO of the Partnership But according to com- for Public Service. Deputy priscilla kates mittee chair and VACO Secretary Gould spoke about Secretary Eric K. Shinseki greets employees as they arrive for work at VA Human Resources specialist VA’s achievements and leader- Central Office during Public Service Recognition Week. Prince Taylor, the commit- ship, as well as the importance employees who each have five emphasized the importance of tee quickly regrouped and of what employees do as pub- or fewer years of federal ser- public service. The seven-piece refocused their efforts. “When lic servants every day. vice, yet have made significant Hampton (Va.) VA Medi- I broke the news to them in The Deputy Secretary contributions to the Secretary’s cal Center Band entertained early February, they collec- also recognized five VACO strategic goals. Stier’s remarks continued on page 30

VAnguard • May/June 2011 29 INTRODUCING

Jerry Davis

AsINTRODUCING a “hero groupie,” Jerry leads the charge to ensure the program.” Davis has always gravitated confidentiality, integrity and Davis also voiced his towards daring, challenging availability of information at goals for the Medical Device work that serves a greater pur- VA. “It’s all about enterprise Protection Program. “As the pose. awareness and risk manage- largest health care provider in “I was drawn to work at ment,” he said. “Our goal is the government, we need to NASA because, as a kid, I saw to show that we know our secure our devices from cyber astronauts as heroes. And I was risks and are managing them threats,” he said. drawn to VA for similar rea- effectively. Through a system- To date, VA has isolated sons, because of the heroes the of-systems—incorporating its more than 50,000 net- Department serves,” he said. continuous monitoring, networked medical devices behind “There’s a great feeling you get centric operations, service- 3,200 virtual local area net- working for veterans.” oriented architecture, and works. “Moving forward, we’ll Since August 2010, Davis information sharing—we can continue to evolve to address has filled the role of Deputy understand, prepare for, and changing threats and create a Assistant Secretary for the Of- respond to any situation.” service-oriented architecture fice of Information Security. To elaborate, Davis that meets organizational and Before that, he served on the discussed some specific OIS customer needs,” said Davis. front lines in the Persian Gulf goals. “We will continue to And Davis plans to tackle and as a civil servant in Wash- build the Enterprise Visibility these goals and others with the Jerry Davis ington, D.C. After 11 years of initiative so we can see what’s same innovative approach he asset—people. “It’s not tech- service with the Marine Corps on the network, identify risks, used at NASA. “OIS has to be nology, processes or policies and a master’s degree in net- and address them with the a forward-looking organiza- that make things work. People work security, Davis became right resources,” he said. tion,” he said. “A few of us are make things work. So I spend an information technology Last September, VA con- already doing this, but I’d like a lot of time building relation- leader at the Department of cluded Phase I—Visibility to to get the entire team thinking ships and getting to know my Education and NASA. Desktop (V2D)—by gaining more innovatively. Gener- staff.” “VA feels most like home visibility into all 340,000 VA ally speaking, I lean more Most of all, though, for me, though,” he said. “It’s desktops. Since then, Phase II towards ‘Yes, you can’ rather Davis values the why behind not just because I am a vet, or has been addressing all non- than ‘Thou shalt not’ when it OIS’ work—its basic pur- that many of my close friends Windows-based clients, desk- comes to security. It’s impor- pose. “Our efforts to protect are vets. It’s because I’m pas- tops and servers. tant to balance security with information always relate to sionate about these people “Everything we do en- the business mission.” our number one priority—the who so boldly protect us. I ables us to better safeguard Davis went on to clarify veterans. Every decision we feel honored to be part of an sensitive veteran, beneficiary that his goals and priorities are make is about making their organization that gives back to and employee information,” not purely technical, though. experience the best it can pos- these true American heroes.” said Davis. “It’s a critical part He wants to connect with and sibly be. We put the veterans In his role as DAS, Davis of our world-class security develop his most important first, always.”

PSRW cont. through Tuesday afternoon. Appreciation Day. They wore his dress whites. We also Additionally, Secretary passed out handmade ribbons, handed out mini flag cases everyone following the kickoff. Eric K. Shinseki, Deputy Sec- representing the different manufactured by the Lakota After the kickoff, the retary Gould, Acting Under branches of the military, to veterans of VA. This was easily committee hosted an Open Secretary for Memorial Affairs veterans and employees with my favorite day of the week.” House for employees. Ex- Steve L. Muro, Under Secre- loved ones who have served. On Thursday, the com- hibitors included the Veterans tary for Health Dr. Robert A. “I heard countless people say mittee provided “Thank You” Health Administration, Vet- Petzel, and General Counsel with pride that they were cards for employees to give to erans Benefits Administration, Will A. Gunn each greeted wearing ribbons for their loved each other. “We passed out National Cemetery Adminis- employees and thanked them ones,” said Taylor. 1,000 cards in 20 minutes,” tration, Office of Construction for their work earlier in the “And I heard fascinating said Taylor. “Needless to say, & Facilities Management, Vet- day. stories seldom heard within we appreciate each other.” The erans Canteen Services, and The committee declared our daily routines. One em- week ended Friday with Team many others. The exhibits ran Wednesday VACO Military ployee, a naval reservist, even Jersey Day.

30 VAnguard • May/June 2011 MEDICALOUTLOOK ADVANCES

VA Infection Control health care issue and are diffi- Practices Featured in cult to treat because the bacte- New England Journal rium is often resistant to many of Medicine antibiotics. A VA initiative that reduced The prevention practices the global health care issue of consist of patient screening methicillin resistant Staphy- programs for MRSA, contact lococcus aureus, or MRSA, precautions for hospitalized infections by more than 60 patients found to have MRSA, percent in intensive care and hand hygiene reminders Dr. Rajiv Jain, VA’s units across the nation was with readily available hand chief con- featured in the April 14 issue sanitizer stations placed stra- sultant for of the New England Journal tegically in common areas, specialty of Medicine. It reported data patient wards and specialty care services, was from the first three years of the clinics throughout medical lead author initiative, which is now in its centers. The strategy also in- of the study. fourth year of implementation volved creating a culture that and continues to be associated promotes infection prevention with decreased rates of MRSA and control as everyone’s re- infections. sponsibility. “This is a landmark initia- “MRSA is a serious threat tive for VA and health care in to patient health that can be Jerry Davis general,” said VA Under Sec- minimized with a few achiev- retary for Health Dr. Robert able strategies,” said Dr. Rajiv Petzel. “No one should have Jain, VA’s chief consultant to worry about acquiring an for specialty care services and illness or infection from the lead author of the study. “I am people they defended to also line is that MRSA prevention place they trust to deliver their extremely grateful I work for benefit from this effort in the and control is possible.” care. I am proud that VA is an agency with 152 integrated future.” More than 1.7 million leading the way.” medical centers across the na- “These are the types of re- screening tests for MRSA The article reviews a tion so these strategies could sults hospitals should be striv- were done on veteran patients bundle of four infection con- be implemented, assessed, and ing for,” said Dr. John Jerni- during the period reported trol practices that marked a ultimately, shown to work on gan, chief of the interventions in the analysis. To review the dramatic improvement in a vast scale of many different and evaluation section in the article in the medical journal, preventing hospital-acquired environments. These results division of healthcare quality go to http://www.nejm.org/ MRSA infections. MRSA mean better health care for promotion at the Centers for doi/full/10.1056/ infections are a serious global veterans and a way for the Disease Control. “The bottom NEJMoa1007474.

VA/DoD Smart Phone app is now available for down- helpful for those considering The application is one of App Helps Veterans load from the iTunes store and entering mental health care the first in a series of jointly Manage PTSD will be available for Android and those who just want to designed resources by the VA Veterans dealing with symp- devices by the end of the learn more about PTSD. National Center for PTSD toms of post-traumatic stress spring. “This is a great service and the Defense Department’s disorder can turn to their “This application ac- we are providing to veterans, National Center for Telehealth smart phones for help anytime knowledges the frequency with service members, their families and Technology to help ser- with the PTSD Coach applica- which our warriors and veter- and friends, but it should not vice members, veterans, their tion created by VA and the ans use technology and allows be seen as a replacement for families and friends manage Department of Defense. them to get help when and traditional therapy,” said VA their readjustment challenges PTSD Coach lets users where they feel most comfort- Under Secretary for Health and get anonymous assistance. track their symptoms, links able,” said Assistant Secretary Dr. Robert Petzel. “Veterans Given the current popu- them with local sources of of Defense for Health Affairs should use all of the benefits larity of mobile devices, VA support, provides accurate in- Dr. Jonathan Woodson. they have earned with their and the Defense Depart- formation about the disorder, The PTSD Coach is service, and one of the best ment hope to reach tens of and teaches helpful individual- primarily designed to enhance things about this app is it will thousands of veterans, service ized strategies for managing services for individuals who are get veterans connected to the members and their family symptoms at any moment. already receiving mental health places that are out there to members with the new suite The free PTSD Coach care, though it is certainly provide help.” of apps.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 31 MEDICAL ADVANCES

Drug Could Be the magic pill, results from the tolerance as demonstrated by a organs. Reaven reminds ev- ‘Magic Pill’ to Prevent ACTose Now, or ACT Now glucose test. eryone the best practice is one Type 2 Diabetes in study, demonstrate that pio- “The drug shows out- they have prescribed for years. Majority of High-Risk glitazone is clearly one of the standing results,” said Robert “Diet and exercise remain the Individuals most effective methods studied R. Henry, M.D., president, initial approaches to reducing A pill taken just once a day to date to delay or prevent the medicine and science, Ameri- the risk of diabetes. However, in the morning delayed or onset of type 2 diabetes. can Diabetes Association. “It this study highlights one other prevented type 2 diabetes “In addition to the im- is the most efficacious method very powerful alternative that in more than 70 percent of pressive ability to reduce or we have studied to date to de- can be considered in appropri- individuals whose obesity, delay the onset of diabetes in lay or prevent the onset of type ate individuals. By treating this ethnicity and other markers this high-risk population,” he 2 diabetes.” insulin resistance, one may put them at highest risk for added, “the 31 percent de- Type 2 diabetes involves postpone the slow evolution to the disease, a team of scientists crease in the rate of thickening abnormalities with insulin, full blown diabetes.” reported March 24. The team of the carotid artery suggests a hormone secreted by beta The major side effects of also noted a 31 percent the drug were weight decrease in the rate of gain and fluid reten- thickening of the cation. Although these are rotid artery, the major not trivial, they do not vessel that supplies occur in the majority blood to the brain. of individuals and can The study, which be managed reasonably enrolled 602 par- well in most. However, ticipants through the this medication is not University of Texas appropriate for all “pre- Health Science Center diabetes” or even diabe- San Antonio and seven tes patients, and appro- collaborating centers, priate patient selection including the Phoenix is critical. VA Health Care Sys- Pioglitazone stimu- tem, is described in the lates appetite while at New England Journal the same time shifting of Medicine and has fat around in the body, direct implications for taking it out of muscle, the care of 40 million the liver and beta cells Americans who are and putting it in sub- pre-diabetic. cutaneous fat depots “It’s a blockbuster under the skin, where it study,” said senior au- A pill taken once a day is inert and not harmful, thor Ralph DeFronzo, delayed or prevented Reaven said. M.D., professor in type 2 diabetes in people “No drug is per- whose obesity and other the School of Medi- markers put them at high- fect,” DeFronzo said. cine and chief of the est risk for the disease. “This particular medica- diabetes division at the robert turtil tion does two things— UT Health Science improves insulin resis- Center San Antonio. “The 72 this medication has significant cells in the pancreas. Insulin tance and improves beta cell percent reduction is the largest ability to protect against vascu- helps the body store and use function, which are the two decrease in the conversion rate lar disease.” sugar from food, but in type core defects of diabetes.” of pre-diabetes to diabetes that Dr. Dawn Schwenke of 2 diabetes the body is insulin DeFronzo led the trial of has ever been demonstrated the Phoenix VA also contrib- resistant; that is, it inefficiently pioglitazone, which is mar- by any intervention, be it diet, uted to the study. responds to the hormone. keted as Actos® by Takeda exercise or medication.” Pioglitazone is widely With time the beta cells in Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. The “Many Americans are used as an insulin sensitizer in diabetic patients start to die, Japanese company provided looking for the ‘magic pill’ to patients with type 2 diabetes. resulting in less insulin to an independent investigator help us prevent diabetes when In the ACT Now study, par- handle the demands. Levels of grant to DeFronzo to conduct diet and exercise fail,” said Dr. ticipants were chosen because the hormone become progres- the ACT Now study. Some Peter Reaven, director, dia- of their high risk for diabetes, sively lower and sugar levels patients were followed for as betes program at the Phoenix including obesity, family his- are increased progressively, long as four years; the average VA. “Although not quite the tory and impaired glucose damaging blood vessels and follow-up was 2.4 years.

32 VAnguard • May/June 2011 HAVEOUTLOOK YOU HEARD

‘Pets for Vets’ in San Francisco This summer, the San Francisco VA Medical Center will celebrate its 11th year of operating “Pets for Vets,” a program designed to provide a pet to veterans at no cost. The brainchild of Russell Lemle, Ph.D., chief psychologist at the San Francisco VA, Pets for Vets operates solely on donations. Lemle, a pet lover himself, used his own funds as seed money, and enlisted Voluntary Service to establish a General Post Fund for other donations. To date, the program has given out 169 four-legged companion cer- tificates. “Pets for Vets” is a humanitarian effort in which everyone benefits. Cats and dogs are adopted into homes and veterans gain the love and companionship that pets bring. “The elderly, who often experience disproportion- ate loneliness and loss, are especially well served by pets,” said Lemle. To complement the free adoption program, the halls of the San Francisco VA have been graced with a permanent 30-piece gallery of professional photographic Don Crowe portraits of veterans with their pets. The photo exhibit, One of Pets for Vets’ most famous participants was Joe Rosenthal, best entitled “Dog Tags,” has been extremely popular with known for his photo of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima. veterans, visitors and staff alike. All portraits were shot by Don Crowe, Ph.D., a Bay Area psychologist who is one of the leading pet photographers in the country. To learn more about Pets for Vets, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Oklahoma City VA Offers Memorial Services to Honor Fallen Veterans and Employees The Oklahoma City VA plinary team chaired by Mi- across the state are mailed to Memorial service attendees fre- Medical Center has been of- chelle Sherman, Ph.D., with the next-of-kin of each veteran quently linger after the service fering memorial services for members from the psychology, or employee who has recently enjoying refreshments, talking recently deceased veterans and chaplain, social work, police, died. with other families, and look- VA employees two to three voluntary, medical media, Each service is about one ing at the items displayed on times a year since 2001. Over and MAS (death notification) hour long. Families are en- the Honor Table. Sherman has the years, they have hosted services. Invitation letters from couraged to bring something created a step-by-step “how 28 services, with more than the medical center director to place on an Honor Table to” manual for implementing 1,800 family members and and resource lists describing for viewing during and after a memorial service. To obtain friends attending. The services books and websites about grief the service. They often bring a copy, e-mail her at michelle. are organized by a multidisci- and support groups available photos, dog tags or poems. [email protected].

Veterans’ Advocate Laid to Rest at San Diego’s New Miramar National Cemetery John Alfred Smith became the first military veteran to receive a casket burial at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on April 14. With the first casket interment at the new facility, casket and cremation burial alternatives are now available to approximately 235,000 veterans in San Diego County for the first time in 45 years. Smith served as a combat medic with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, 1968-1969. He was wounded in action three times and spent several years recovering from his wounds. He was a resident of San Diego for nearly 30 years, where he was a well-known veterans advocate. He was one of the original founders of Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, which grew to become the Veterans Village of San Diego. It serves all of the jim ruester region’s military veterans and their families, but especially home- John Alfred Smith served as a combat medic in Vietnam and was less veterans through a wide variety of outreach and residential wounded in action three times. programs, including Veterans Stand Down.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 33 HAVE YOU HEARD

‘Watson’ Promises to Revolutionize the Way Humans and Computers Interact Recently, a super computer named “Watson” bested two of the brightest champions on the popular TV show “Jeopardy!”— demonstrating a keen ability to comprehend human language, sift through massive amounts of information and choose the best answer based on probability. Eliot Siegel, M.D., chief of imaging at the VA Maryland Health Care System and professor of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at the University of Maryland, will be leading a project funded by the university to test Watson’s advanced analytics for potential health care applications at the University of Maryland and the VA Maryland Health Care System. Watson, named after former IBM president Tom Watson, is impressive for two reasons: its encyclopedic database of human knowledge and its ability to navigate the nuances of human lan- courtesy of va maryland health care system guage. Once it absorbs medical and health information, Watson Dr. Eliot Siegel will be leading a project to test Watson’s advanced will be able to help doctors diagnose patients and even interact analytics for potential health care applications. with both the patient and the doctor by using its ability to navigate those nuances of natural language. “The technology has the potential to result in a renaissance in the application of ‘artificial intelligence’ in medical data mining, data analysis and decision support,” Siegel says.

The Northport VA’s War on Diabetes Has Racked Up Some Success Stories With approximately 8,000 dia- treating diabetes so difficult. provides medical review of sys- MOVE, along with informa- betic patients, the Northport Problem areas identified in- tems and intervention if neces- tion on how to navigate the (N.Y.) VA Medical Center has cluded poor diet, lack of exer- sary, retinal eye exams, diabet- Internet to obtain trusted and launched a war on diabetes cise, psychological factors, and ic foot exams, endocrinology credible websites. To date, that began with the creation lack of medication compliance. consults, general diabetes and there have been 11 Diabetes of a Diabetic Performance The team established a medication education, nutri- Wellness Clinics, with a total Improvement Team. The mul- Diabetes Wellness Clinic to tion, pharmacy and psychol- of 268 veterans attending. tidisciplinary team was charged provide “one-stop” diabetes ogy services, access to enroll in Most have seen a drop in their with finding out what makes care to veterans. The clinic My HealtheVet, telehealth and hemoglobin A1C level.

New Polytrauma Center Opens at Richmond VA Medical Center A new Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Center has opened on the campus of the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va., providing a new 20-bed, 22,000-square-foot facility specially designed to offer comprehensive rehabilitation to active duty service members and veterans. The polytrauma system of care at the Richmond VA includes three integrated programs: the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center; Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation; and Polytrauma Network Site. The three programs provide inpatient, transitional and outpatient rehabilitation tailored to the individual patterns of impairment sustained in trauma or resulting from medical conditions or surgery. The program serves active duty service members and veterans. The Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program is a don spragg time-limited and goal-oriented program designed to improve Cutting the ribbon on March 8 were (left to right): Charles E. Sepich, the wounded service member or veteran’s physical, cognitive, medical center director; Daniel F. Hoffman, director, VA Mid-Atlantic communicative, behavioral, psychological and social functioning Health Care Network; Robert A. Petzel, M.D., Under Secretary for under the necessary support and supervision. The goal of transi- Health; David Cifu, M.D., national director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program Office; Paul Galanti, commissioner, Virginia tional rehabilitation is to return the individual to the least restric- Department of Veterans Services; Shane McNamee, M.D., chief, physi- tive environment, including return to active duty, work, school, cal medicine and rehabilitation; and Gary Goldberg, M.D., director, or independent living, in the community. Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Center.

34 VAnguard • May/June 2011 HAVEOUTLOOK YOU HEARD

Salisbury VA Medical Center LEAD Program Holds ‘Senior Prom’ Participants Put a A lot of World War II veterans missed ‘Face’ With a Claim their senior proms because of the war. in Bay Pines Several community partners came together The Leadership Enhancement earlier this year for a night of fun at the and Development Program is Salisbury (N.C.) VA Medical Center, one of the Veterans Benefits helping some of those veterans revel in Administration’s most presti- moments they might have missed the first gious leadership programs, de- time around. The facility’s Recreation signed to identify and cultivate Therapy and Dietary Services teamed up future leaders within VBA. with the American Legion Auxiliary De- This nine-month program is partment of North Carolina to present the very competitive and highly “Night of Swing” Senior Prom for Com- coveted. munity Living Center residents. Participants are assigned “We wanted to create the feeling of a formal mentor, participate a ‘night on the town’ for our veterans,” in developmental shadowing said Salisbury VAMC staff member assignments and work together Aleashia Brandon. “Dressed to impress” on an executive assignment participants enjoyed a delicious dinner and team project. Additionally, festive atmosphere with family members they attend three weeklong and special guests. Following dinner, a live sessions of classroom instruc- band, the Rowan Big Band All-Stars, per- tion. formed, inspiring lots of dancing. Other Some of the major objec- sponsors included the Salvation Army of tives of the LEAD Program are michael meyerhoeffer Rowan County. to prepare future leaders to be- Volunteer Martha Corriher dances with veteran come veteran-centric, results- Phillip Little. driven, and forward-looking. How best to teach this lesson? How about direct hands-on Blinded Veterans Build Strength and Confidence Through Judo Class training? A small group of veterans has been meeting every Friday at the Washington, D.C., VA Medi- Recently during the cal Center to learn the ancient art of judo. Veteran Thomas Huff says it’s not that different from second LEAD session, in St. the taekwondo he used to study when he was a Marine. “When you know martial arts, nobody Petersburg, Fla., the class vis- messes with you,” Huff says. His classmate, ited the Bay Pines Community 88-year-old World War II veteran Julius Living Center. Stuart Sidell, Fleischman, agrees that judo builds confi- lead recreation therapist, pro- dence. “My neighborhood is a little rough, vided a brief overview of the but now when I walk down the street, I recreational operations and don’t worry about a thing.” then introduced the LEAD These veterans are receiving life-alter- participants to the veteran resi- ing training at the D.C. VAMC’s Vision dents. Wii tennis, carpet bowl- Rehabilitation Clinic. Blinded and low- ing, card games, gardening and vision veterans lose the ability to interpret bedside interviews are just a the visual cues that support the defense few of the activities available to mechanisms that warn us when danger is the residents. near. The judo class is part of their reha- The experience made an bilitation, supporting their efforts to lead indelible impression on the independent lives. Their instructor, Ronald 2011 LEAD class. One LEAD Scott, says teaching the vision impaired participant summed up the is no different than teaching the sighted. experience this way: “The time courtesy of d.c. vamc Judo and blind judo both use the same at the CLC was an opportu- The judo class is offered through the Washington, D.C., throws and the same floor and standing nity to see the benefits of what VA Medical Center’s Vision Rehabilitation Clinic. techniques. “With judo, believe it or not, we do on a daily basis. I now sight is not necessary,” Scott says. The only difference is that at the start of the match, the students have a ‘face’ for each claim I begin by touching shoulders. And they keep track of each other by following their feet. work. This is the greatest lesson plan, getting to spend time with the very folks we serve.”

VAnguard • May/June 2011 35 HONORS

2011 James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Winners Announced Timothy C. Norton, of Florence, Ky., is the first-place recipient of the 2011 James H. Parke Me- VA Enterprise morial Fund Scholarship. Norton, a volunteer at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, will receive a Technology Director $20,000 scholarship to a college or university of his choice. Honored by Federal This year’s runner-up winners are: Matthew B. Ford, a volunteer at the Hines VA Hospital Computer Week in Illinois; Christian Trent, a Lexington (Ky.) VAMC volunteer; Tara Dell’Aquila, a Bay Pines (Fla.) VAMC volunteer; Jennifer Kinder, an El Paso (Texas) VAMC volunteer; William Callahan, Charles De Sanno, ex- a Shreveport (La.) VAMC volunteer; and Elliot Akama-Green, a Palo Alto (Calif.) VAMC volun- ecutive director of VA’s teer. Enterprise Technology To be eligible, candidates must have completed 100 hours of regularly scheduled VA Volun- and Infrastructure En- tary Service volunteer service during the calendar year prior to Sept. 1; be a student in the 10th gineering, was featured grade or above; and have not reached their 19th birthday. The scholarship was established in 1976 recently in Federal Com- in honor of Parke, VA’s first director of Voluntary Service and the founding father of its National puter Week for cutting Advisory Committee. Each medical center may nominate one VAVS student volunteer for receipt costs and improving of the award. VA’s overall IT performance. According to Nurse Recognized for Work on Behalf of Federal Computer Week, Cancer Survivors De Sanno “is not only Ellen Ballard, a registered nurse with the VA Loma Linda (Ca- adept at keeping one lif.) Healthcare System, is the recipient of the prestigious Oncol- of the largest IT enter- ogy Nursing Society’s 2011 Excellence in Survivor Advocacy prises in the world up Award for her work with cancer survivors. Ballard is a clinical and running around analyst at VA Loma Linda’s cancer center, where she works with the clock, but he is also patients in clinical research trials, leads improvement projects, as- savvy about continu- sists with program management, and teaches survivors about the ally applying strategic need for ongoing surveillance. changes to make systems She was instrumental in helping form VA’s Cancer Sur- more effective.” vivorship Advisory Group, which, among other things, advises leadership on cancer survivor issues, developed a directory of Last year, he re- cancer survivorship resources for veterans and employees, estab- duced the number of lished an e-mail group of clinicians and researchers interested in VA data centers from 175 to 87 for substantial cancer survivorship, and disseminated information to facilities Ellen Ballard concerning current approaches to cancer survivorship. The group cost savings while main- also helps VA researchers by developing studies related to follow-up care, quality-of-life, and psy- taining an astonishing chosocial oncology needs of veterans who have survived cancer. 99.99 percent availability of the systems hosted at the centers. VA Puget Sound Health Care System Urologist He also installed new Named ‘Best Reviewer’ software to give admin- The editors of The Journal of Urology named Dr. John Krieger, istrators visibility into all of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, the recipient of 300,000 computers on the “Best Reviewer in 2010” Award for his dedicated service and timely reviews of manuscripts on infection and inflammation. VA’s networks, thereby The official announcement was made during a reception hosted improving the security by Elsevier, the publisher of the journal, on May 15 during the and reliability of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting in Washing- Department’s desktop ton D.C. infrastructure. With a The mission of the American Urological Association is to $2 billion annual budget promote the highest standards of urological clinical care through and a 5,000-person staff, education research and in the formulation of health care policy. De Sanno “keeps the “We should all be very proud of Dr. John Krieger—one of our computers humming own section chiefs. He was recognized as the best reviewer for and the cyber bugs out” the most prestigious journal in his field,” said Dr. Michael Sobel, of VA’s huge IT system, VA Puget Sound chief of surgery. Krieger has been on staff at VA Puget Sound since 1982. said Federal Computer Week.

Dr. John Krieger

36 VAnguard • May/June 2011 OUTLOOKHONORS

Houston VA Psychiatrist Named to Substance Use Disorder Committee Thomas R. Kosten, M.D., senior advisor on substance abuse based in the Mental Health Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, was recently selected to serve on the Institute of Medicine’s

Committee on Preven- ann hamilton tion, Diagnosis, Treat- Surrounded by his staff, Atlanta Regional Counsel William Thigpen III (center) was presented the Em- ment, and Manage- ployer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award on April 13 by Georgia ESGR Executive Director ment of Substance Use Penelope Harbour and Army Lt. Col. Harold Askins. Askins, who is a VA staff attorney currently on mili- Disorders in the United tary orders, nominated Thigpen for the award. States Armed Forces. Atlanta Regional Counsel Receives Patriot Award “Tom’s expertise Atlanta Regional Counsel William Thigpen III, was recently presented the Employer Support of and cutting-edge re- the Guard and Reserve ESGR Patriot Award by Georgia ESGR Executive Director Penelope Har- search in the areas of bour and Army Lt. Col. Harold Askins. Employers qualify for the recognition for demonstrated clinical neurobiology, leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve. medications develop- Every employer nominated for recognition receives a Patriot Award, a lapel pin, and is eligible for ment, and treatment of consideration for other awards and recognition based on their level of support described in the substance use disorders nomination narrative. is recognized world- Askins, who is a VA staff attorney currently on military orders, nominated Thigpen. The wide,” said J. Kalavar, nomination was reviewed by an ESGR committee before approval. Employers are judged on a M.D., DeBakey VAMC variety of criteria, including: maintaining contact with training or deployed employees; participat- chief of staff. “His ing in ESGR programs; providing pay differential during periods of mobilization; and supporting employee families while the service member is deployed. To nominate your employer, visit unique knowledge and http://esgr.org/newforms.asp?p=patriot. insight will definitely lead to improvements in mental health care for our older veterans, Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging Initiative Honored as well as veterans of the In April, Michael W. Weiner, M.D., director of the San Fran- current conflicts in Iraq cisco VA Medical Center’s Center for Imaging of Neurodegen- and Afghanistan.” erative Diseases and principal investigator of the Alzheimer’s Kosten is also the Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, accepted the 2011 Ronald Jay H. Waggoner pro- and Nancy Reagan Research Award from the Alzheimer’s As- fessor of psychiatry and sociation. The association presented the award to ADNI “for its behavioral sciences in collaborative and innovative approaches to furthering Alzheimer the Menninger Depart- treatment, prevention and care.” It cites Weiner for his extraor- ment of Psychiatry at dinary leadership, which helped make ADNI the largest public- Baylor College of Medi- private Alzheimer’s disease research partnership in the country. cine and research direc- ADNI is a $140 million, multi-year clinical trial involving more than 1,000 patients in the United States and Canada. tor of the Veterans Af- Its mission is to establish biomarkers for the progression of fairs National Substance Alzheimer’s disease based on markers in the brain, spinal fluid Use Disorders Quality and blood. Much of the project’s funding is administered by Enhancement Research Michael W. Weiner, M.D. NCIRE-The Veterans Health Research Institute. The award Initiative. pays tribute to President and Mrs. Reagan for their courage and leadership in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 37 HONORS

VA Puget Sound Doctor Lovell Officer Nationally Recognized as One of Recognized at Armed Country’s Best Forces Public Health Dr. Jerry Palmer, recently Conference named 2011 American Dia- Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Robert Lip- betes Association Physician/ sitz, a Captain James A. Lovell Clinician of the Year, has Federal Health Care Center preventive medicine officer, worked in the fight against was recently awarded the Rear diabetes for nearly 40 years. Adm. Charles S. Stephenson He started a diabetes care Award at the Armed Forces center at the University of Public Health Conference Washington devoted solely for excellence in Navy Oc- to the treatment of diabetes cupational Health, Preventive and was part of the study shane suzuki Medicine and/or Health Pro- that proved glucose levels Dr. Jerry Palmer was named 2011 American Diabetes Association motions. are linked to diabetes. It’s Physician/Clinician of the Year. He received the recogni- for this dedication to learning about and treating diabetes that Palmer is recognized by tion for his leadership and the ADA. skills as preventive medicine officer in 2010. Among many Initially, Palmer trained in endocrinology in the 1970s, but quickly became interested accomplishments, Lipsitz in diabetes research, which eventually led to his involvement in a groundbreaking diabetes ensured the lowest strep phar- study in the early 1980s. While the clinic continued to grow, Palmer’s research career yngitis case count in Navy blossomed. He became the head of endocrinology at VA Puget Sound in 1989. Since recruits in the past 12 years. then, he has become an internationally-recognized expert in diabetes research and has seen the treatment of the disease become more sophisticated and more effective.

VA Physician Wins Prestigious Cardiac Award Dr. Robert Jesse, VA’s principal deputy under secretary for health, has been honored by a leading professional association for his work to improve emergency cardiac care. The award was presented by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, best known as a grassroots effort to bring emergency physicians together to improve early cardiac care. The Raymond D. Bahr Award of Excellence is given to individuals who demonstrate extraor- dinary excellence, vision and leadership in advancing health care. The group said Jesse’s work in developing an innovative risk-based triage protocol for patients has contributed significantly to the field of cardiac medicine. “I am delighted to receive this award,” Jesse said. “To be recognized for contributing to improving cardiac care is truly humbling, and I am honored to be counted among other outstanding Bahr Award recipients.” Jesse was honored at an award ceremony on May 4 at Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Robert Lipsitz the 14th Congress of Chest Pain Centers in Miami. The award was presented by the officers of the executive committee of the society. The Rear Adm. Charles S. Stephenson Award is a national honor, recognizing one Navy medical professional Morris Receives Public Service Award for Psychology each year. This year’s award Dr. Lorie J. Morris, a psychologist at the VA Maryland Health Care System in Baltimore, was presented at the Armed received the Outstanding Contributions by an Early Career Psychologist to Psychology in Forces Public Health Confer- Service in the Public Award from the Maryland Psychological Association. The associa- ence in Hampton, Va. “Cmdr. tion cited Morris’ work with veterans in the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Trauma Lipsitz has proved that solid Recovery Programs and her outreach to educate the public about the needs of returning leadership, unwavering profes- veterans and their families. sionalism and technical exper- Morris retired from the Army in 1996 after serving as a helicopter pilot and logistics tise are truly a combination officer. She earned a master’s degree in aviation management and small business opera- for success,” said Mark Lesko, head of the Occupational tions from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while on active duty. Morris joined the Health Medicine Department. mental health staff at the VA Maryland Health Care System in 2003, after earning master’s and doctoral degrees from Argosy University in Washington, D.C.

38 VAnguard • May/June 2011 OUTLOOKHEROES

VA Black Hills Health VA, Other Government Care System Police Agencies Collaborate to Officer Assists Child Help Veteran in Need A hotel staff member on a On Valentine’s Day, South remote Pacific island found an Dakota law enforcement of- OEF/OIF veteran in his bun- ficers were alerted that a men- galow dormant and experienc- tally challenged autistic child ing a manic episode. Alarmed had run away from a special and unsure what to do, the needs school near Interstate staff member located the vet- 90. South Dakota Highway eran’s passport and contacted Patrol and local police and the State Department, who in sheriff units were approximate- turn contacted the veteran’s ly 10 miles from the child’s family. last known location when they Once notified, his family, were informed that a VA Black residing on the East Coast, Hills Health Care System informed his VA health care police officer was on the scene providers back home, and and the child was safe. began preparations for his im- The autistic child was mediate return to the States. spotted by the VA police of- From there a chain of events ficer in the middle of the in- involving collaboration and terstate in heavy traffic. When cooperation unfolded to assist state police arrived on the the veteran and his family, in- scene, Capt. Perry Huffman cluding: a social worker at the had the child safely secured in veteran’s stateside VA “home;” the back of his vehicle. Huff- the Greater Los Angeles VA man was able to help the child Health Care System’s OEF/ despite the young man strug- OIF Program Manager Isabel gling against his assistance. Moriarty; GLA Suicide Pre- Huffman’s actions most likely vention Coordinator Tana Te- saved the life of the severely elizabeth savage icheira; a flight nurse medical autistic child, who could not Capt. Perry Huffman rescued an autistic child who ran away from escort; and officials from the a special needs school and ended up in the middle of an interstate speak and was wearing a hel- highway in heavy traffic. Pacific island nation and the met for self-protection. The U.S. Embassy. South Dakota Highway Patrol credited Huffman with the save and praised him for his profession- The veteran’s elderly alism and outstanding performance that most likely saved the child’s life. father was flown along with the veteran’s medication and the flight nurse to pick up the veteran and accompany him Employee Responds to Roadside Emergency to the West Los Angeles VA Dan Glatter, a program support assistant at the VA National Medical Center, where he was Center for Patient Safety in Ann Arbor, Mich., recently assisted evaluated by Resident Dr. Bry- two accident victims who were found standing in the roadway an Pham and hospitalized for following a motor vehicle accident. One appeared to be in shock. treatment. GLA staff arranged “I was driving to work when I saw Dan in action,” said Jim Phil- for the veteran’s complete care, lips, NCPS assistant administrative officer. “He had pulled over with coordination among so- to help a man and woman who were obviously in distress.” cial work, medical and mental Glatter provided assistance to the accident victims until fire health staff. Moriarty arranged department and emergency medical personnel arrived and could accommodations for the vet- provide further care. Both individuals involved in the collision eran’s father at the West Los were sent by ambulance to a local medical center. Providing Angeles campus Fisher House medical assistance is nothing new for Glatter; he served as a and arranged for the accompa- medical service specialist in the Air Force, and retired as a techni- nying nurse to stay in a nearby cal sergeant. Currently, he teaches a course for those aspiring to hotel. Dan Glatter become medical assistants at Ann Arbor’s Ross Medical Educa- tion Center.

VAnguard • May/June 2011 39 Conquering the Slopes Peter Sargent, an Army veteran from New Gloucester, Maine, was one of more than 300 veterans hitting the slopes at the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., March 27-April 1. The Clinic provides newly injured veterans, and those from years past, the opportunity to learn life-changing skills through rehabilitative winter sporting events. Jointly sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans, the Clinic is hosted each year by the Grand Junction, Colo., VA Medical Center and VA’s Rocky Mountain Network.

jeff bowen