May/June 2012

Restoring Function eBenefits: 24/7 Access and Information Support for Kicking the Habit Help for Veteran Job Seekers Features

Securing Care for Veterans 6 CRISP is a call to action to adopt information security habits eBenefits: Access and Information, 24/7 8 Web portal provides a single access point for online benefits 8 A Unique Perspective on Art 10 Veteran artist taps Wheelchair Games athletes to offer a rare opportunity Support for Kicking the Habit 12 Helping Veterans join millions of Americans who quit smoking each year Forging a Path Into the Unknown 14 Providence initiative helps ALS patients navigate the VA health care system Keeping Faith With Louisiana’s Veterans 16 Dedication marks the 17th new cemetery opened in the past decade Finding a Calling He Never Thought Possible 18 18 Milwaukee psychiatrist answers the call to service and finds a passion A Relaxing Vacation? Not for This VA Doctor 20 Asheville’s Dr. Jim Johnson goes on Third World humanitarian missions Help for Veteran Business Owners, Job Seekers 22 Detroit event expected to draw thousands of participants Therapy Dogs: Helping Veterans Heal 25 Four-legged treatment team members work with injured Veterans

Departments 33 3 News You Can Use 33 Have You Heard 4 Outlook 36 Honors VAnguard 5 Management Matters 39 Heroes VA’s Employee Magazine 26 Around Headquarters 40 Flags In May/June 2012 30 Medical Advances Vol. LVIII, No. 3

Editor: Lisa Gaegler On the cover Assistant Editor/Senior Writer: Gary Hicks Veteran and retired VA employee Frederick Photo Editor: Robert Turtil Downs Jr., returned to headquarters April Staff Writer: Amanda Neumann 26 to demonstrate his advanced prosthetic arm during a forum held as part of VA Published by the Office of Public Affairs (80D) Research Week activities. Downs and his DEKA arm also wowed kids participating in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. Downs lost his left arm when he stepped on Washington, D.C. 20420 a land mine in Vietnam in 1968 and had been (202) 461-7427 using a prosthetic hook ever since. E-mail: [email protected] photo by Robert Turtil www.va.gov/opa/publications/vanguard.asp

2 VAnguard • May/June 2012 NewsFEEDBACK YouOUTLOOK Can Use VA Focuses on New HR Training Programs to Better Serve Veterans

The HR Academy, VA’s and career development tools to specific and obtainable ca- dent Obama signed on May training and career develop- to the needs of HR profes- reer goals at VA. 11, 2010. This memorandum ment resource for Human sionals at VA locations across Investing in employee requires that HR professionals Resources professionals, has the country. The program is training and career develop- involved in hiring employees announced its latest catalog delivered to participants in ment has paid off handsomely improve the efficiency of their of course offerings for 2012. their local VA area. The HR for the Department. Accord- recruitment and hiring prac- The extensive curriculum is Academy will host multiple ing to the Office of Human tices. In other words: get the designed to enhance technical HR2U workshops at VA loca- Resources and Administration, right people, in the right jobs, and consultative skills so HR tions throughout 2012. training as a retention tool more quickly. This includes professionals can better serve HR2U’s biggest draw is helped the Department avoid job placement for Veterans. their customers—VA hiring an innovative Career Map- $200 million in turnover costs Information on avail- managers—and build a strong, ping course. In this hands-on last year. Ultimately, the HR able HR Academy resources engaged workforce to serve career development session, Academy’s programs support and programs can be found Veterans and their families. HR staff members collaborate VA’s major initiative of ensur- at www.vahracademy.com, Since its inception, the one-on-one with their manag- ing an engaged, collaborative including how to register for HR Academy has experienced ers to create a personal career and high-performing work- classes through the VA Talent a large growth spurt—from a map that identifies the training force to meet the changing Management System, or TMS. small pilot curriculum last year and certification they need to needs of Veterans and their Instructor-led classes are now to today’s more comprehen- advance in their careers. Em- families. being held in locations nation- sive training offerings. This ployees can then schedule time They also help the De- wide, such as Atlanta, Phoenix, growth was driven in part by to meet with their managers partment meet the require- St. Louis and Hanover, Md. the Department-wide initiative and build an Individual Devel- ments of the Presidential To learn more, go to the VA to transform human capital opment Plan, or IDP, which Memorandum on Improving HR Academy website or send management and by the train- helps connect their desired the Federal Recruitment and an email to vacohracademy@ ing needs of VA’s 4,000-strong training and certification plans Hiring Process, which Presi- va.gov. HR community. As part of this effort, the HR Academy is engaging Transform VA and Your Career With New Tool HR professionals by thinking beyond traditional forms of Did you know that in 2010, a education and creating innova- service member was 10 times tive programs for career devel- more likely to return from war opment, such as Web-based with multiple injuries than training classes, which will be during World War II? Have available later this summer, you ever wondered about the and a new workshop series history of the Department of called HR2U. Veterans Affairs and how it Launched in February in became what it is today? Washington, D.C., HR2U is a The VA Learning Univer- four-day outreach and learning sity recently launched a new workshop that tailors training product called the Community Learning Model, an interactive tool that builds awareness Correction of VA’s past innovations and In the March/April 2012 is- present initiatives. The tool sue, we ran a photo from the uses audio, video and text to The Community Learning Model is an interactive tool that builds Aaron Tippin “Valentines for share the story of VA’s journey awareness of VA’s past innovations and present initiatives. Veterans” concert in Reno, of transformation. Take a few Nev., on the back cover. We moments to travel through history with VA, beginning in 1636 with the first government support should have noted that the for disabled Veterans and ending with the Veteran-centric organization we know today. concert, and all of the other The CLM is available on demand, offering employees the convenience of training when they “Valentines for Veterans” con- need it, and enabling them to take charge of their careers. Whether you’ve worked at VA for two certs held in 2012, were made months or 20 years, VA’s Community Learning Model can help you learn about change at VA possible through the generosity and how to better serve Veterans. To get started, log on to the VA Talent Management System, or of Help Hospitalized Veterans. TMS, and visit the interactive CLM.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 3 Outlook

An Enduring Commitment to Improving Veterans’ Health Joel Kupersmith, M.D. Chief Research and Development Officer

Each year, Research Week Force; Terry Rauch, Ph.D., di- receiving health information each of these firsts can be provides a unique opportunity rector of Medical Research and and support from their peers found at the Office of Re- to recognize the outstand- Development for the Depart- (in this case, leaders of local search and Development ing work of VA investigators ment of Defense’s Office of Veterans Service Organiza- website at www.research.va.gov. and the generous time given Health Affairs; and Col. Geof- tions) were better able to man- There you’ll find a new series by Veteran volunteers who frey Ling, M.D., Ph.D, of the age their weight, more willing of movies that capture the participate in their studies. Defense Advanced Research to check their own blood pres- personal perspectives of Vet- Through Central Office activi- Projects Agency, or DARPA. sure, and reported improved erans whose lives have been ties and field events nation- Together, their presence overall health compared to improved by VA Research. wide, Research Week provides underscored the importance Veterans who received advice As these movies show, the attendees with an “up close of the longstanding research from trained health care pro- role played by Veteran vol- and personal” look at how VA partnership between VA and fessionals. unteers in helping to further research is translated into bet- DoD. Still another first was the research advancements cannot ter care for Veterans. Research Week 2012 at national demonstration of the be overstated. That is why we That was again the case VACO also saw several “firsts,” third generation of the DEKA were again fortunate this year April 23-27 when Research such as the national debut of arm, the Gen3. The DEKA to hear in person from several Week 2012—“Caring for Vet- TRACTS, the Translational arm is an advanced prosthetic such volunteers, who joined erans through Discovery and Research Center for Traumatic developed by DARPA and a Forum discussion led by Collaboration”—brought VA Brain Injury and Stress Disor- DEKA Integrated Solutions Veteran and country singer leaders, investigators and Vet- ders, based at the VA Boston that has a fully functioning Stephen Cochran. erans together in Washington, Healthcare System. Focusing hand, and control so precise Beyond the Beltway, D.C., and VA medical centers on what have become the that users can pluck grapes off more than 30 VA medical to mark the Department’s “signature injuries” of modern a vine, pick up a power tool, centers sponsored field events enduring commitment to im- combat—TBI and PTSD— and shake hands. As part of an ranging from lectures and proving Veterans’ health. the TRACTS panel of experts effort to bring the DEKA arm symposiums to tours of re- At the Research Forum talked about the multidisci- into wider use, VA researchers search laboratories or clinical held in Washington, D.C., April 26, attendees heard from speakers and panelists about Through Central Office activities and field events research advances related to nationwide, Research Week provides attendees with traumatic brain injury, post- an ‘up close and personal’ look at how VA research is traumatic stress disorder, hypertension and prosthetics, translated into better care for Veterans. among other topics. Our keynote speaker, John Holdren, plinary approach being used have conducted optimization evaluations. Many of these Ph.D., director of the White to better understand the com- studies to help fine tune it and events were coordinated with House Office of Science Tech- plex cognitive and emotional improve some design aspects. local partners such as Veterans nology and special assistant problems faced by Operation The Gen3 DEKA arm, Service Organizations and aca- to the President, set the tone Enduring Freedom/Operation which is controlled by mo- demic affiliates. for the day’s impressive lineup Iraqi Freedom Veterans. tion detectors placed on top To see the wide range with his address, “Serving the Another first was the of each shoe, can sense when a of activities sponsored, go Nation through Science and national debut of POWER, user is walking and shut down to www.research.va.gov/ Technology.” POsts Working for VetER- control of the arm. With us researchweek/field_events.cfm. We also were honored ans’ Health, a peer-to-peer to demonstrate the Gen3 were And to read more about this to have with us a number of (Veteran-to-Veteran) coun- Veterans Arthur McAuley and year’s Research Week activi- top military leaders, including seling project to improve Frederick Downs Jr. (As many ties overall, visit www.research. Army Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins self-management of hyperten- of you may remember, Downs va.gov/researchweek. (a Wounded Warrior who lost sion based at the Clement J. is former director of VA’s his left leg while serving in Zablocki VA Medical Center Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Iraq); Lt. Gen. Charles Green, in Milwaukee. Panelists at the Service.) www.research.va.gov surgeon general of the Air Forum discussed how Veterans More information about

4 VAnguard • May/June 2012 ManagementOUTLOOK Matters

VA’s New Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan Georgia Coffey Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diversity and Inclusion

VA has long been a leader in inclusion into everything we it is a deliberate strategy to without equity cannot thrive, building the foundation for do, and we must have a plan empower human differences and diversity without inclu- diversity in the federal work- to execute this. to harness the creativity and sion will not work. Together, force. Today, we are proud The VA Diversity and In- innovation that it yields as a these three dimensions create to usher in the next era in clusion Strategic Plan was de- strategic asset. synergy for high performance. that continuing journey by veloped in collaboration with While diversity outreach Implicit in the business case announcing the new VA Di- VA’s internal organizational is externally focused, inclusion for diversity and inclusion is versity and Inclusion Strategic components and represents focuses on the internal organi- the notion that diversity goes Plan for Fiscal Years 2012 to the interests and contributions zational culture and retention beyond our race and gender 2016. of its stakeholders. The new strategies to fully engage all of to include the diversity of VA’s Office of Diversity plan builds on the foundation our human resources. Some of thought that accompanies and Inclusion (ODI) has been laid in 2009 and expands the the strategies under this goal our physical identity. It is the in the vanguard of this effort focus to go beyond diversity include accommodating differ- inextricable link between who by leading the development of to full organizational inclusion ent employee needs and work we are and how we think that the Department’s first strategic to achieve high performance. styles, developing employees makes diversity such a potent plan for diversity and inclusion VA’s plan contains the fol- and future leaders, and ingredient in organizational in 2009. That plan, among lowing three overarching re-engineering internal pro- performance. the first of its kind in Cabinet- goals: A Diverse Workforce; cesses to promote optimum I encourage you to level departments, attracted An Inclusive Workplace; and employee engagement in sup- visit our website to view this the attention of other federal Outstanding Public Service. port of the mission. plan at www.diversity.va.gov/ agencies and ultimately served Together, these goals create The plan also focuses on products/plan.aspx and share as a model for the federal sec- a framework for building a leadership and accountability it with your colleagues. Also tor’s first Government-wide high-performing workforce in to ensure we make measurable available for your viewing is Strategic Plan for Diversity service to our Veterans. progress toward achieving our the most recent VA Diversity and Inclusion. We are proud In the FY 2012–2016 goals. To measure our progress and Inclusion Annual Report, that this work culminated in plan, we reiterate the business in these areas, ODI developed which chronicles VA’s progress President Obama issuing the landmark Executive Order 13583, “Establishing a Coor- It is our collective responsibility to ensure that VA dinated Government-Wide embraces diversity and inclusion throughout our Initiative to Promote Diversity Department so that we can deliver the best service to and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce” in 2011. our nation’s Veterans. As President Obama stated in that order, “We are case for diversity in VA and two new groundbreaking met- toward meeting the goals and at our best when we draw on introduce a new paradigm rics: a Diversity Index and an objectives of the Diversity and the talents of all parts of our linking workplace inclusion to Inclusion Index. These indices Inclusion Strategic Plan. society, and our greatest ac- high performance in the 21st are now being considered for It is our collective re- complishments are achieved century. Inclusion is the latest federal government-wide use. sponsibility to ensure that VA when diverse perspectives are evolution in the equal employ- Other strategies under this embraces diversity and inclu- brought to bear to overcome ment opportunity and diver- goal include cultural compe- sion throughout our Depart- our greatest challenges.” To sity continuum, and represents tency training for all employment so that we can deliver that end, the Executive Order a transformative dynamic in ees; strengthening stakeholder the best service to our nation’s directed all federal agencies organizational performance. relations; and leadership Veterans. ODI stands ready to develop their own diversity It is the process of enabling training and accountability in to assist you in implementing and inclusion strategic plans, the full participation of all diversity and inclusion. the strategies and achieving the in alignment with the new individuals in the workforce As always, the protection objectives of this plan. Thank government-wide plan. We and leveraging the diverse tal- of civil rights of all individuals you for your continuing com- in VA know that to meet the ent and perspectives to achieve in the workplace is founda- mitment to cultivating a di- challenges of this millennium, greater performance outcomes. tional to our diversity and verse and inclusive workplace we must infuse diversity and This is more than outreach; inclusion strategy. Diversity in VA.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 5 he trust Veterans have in VA is central to our mission—it enables us to provide care, Tadminister benefits and continue services. Every volunteer, affili- ate, contractor and employee plays a role in securing Veterans’ trust by safeguarding their information. The Continuous Readiness in Information Security Program, or CRISP, calls on each of us to be a Security Sentry— the eyes and ears of information security. As noted by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki: “The trust Veterans have in us as a Department and as individuals depends on our ability to constantly and consistently protect their information from exposure and ever-increasing cyber risks.” Most risks to information security occur when we are not paying attention or make simple mistakes, such as chatting about personally identifiable information, or PII, in public areas or erroneously faxing patient information. Our workspaces have many access points, inside and outside, where information can be misplaced, lost or stolen. Our work relies on computer systems that are made vulnerable through unknowing misuse or even illegal use. By paying closer attention, we can and will prevent these risks. CRISP is a call to action to adopt information security habits to make us a Security Sentry culture. VA’s technology community Jeff Shyshka Emerson Sanders has played a major role in securing Securing Care for Veterans

information security risks. Over the CRISP is a call to action course of a few months, the Office of Information and Technology has to adopt information removed vulnerabilities and improved capabilities across VA information security habits to make us systems—300,000 plan of action mile- a Security Sentry stones, 13,000 password risks, nearly 8,000 access risks, and more than culture. 500 system risks were addressed and resolved.

6 VAnguard • May/June 2012 All Information Security Officers age VA employee has received five ences and tools to help you better continue to work closely with VA or- or more messages on CRISP. We also apply the vision of CRISP in your ganizations to assure that the high se- learned that you would like to see community. These include an online curity standards of CRISP are carried meaningful local engagement, such as CRISP self-survey tool, peer-to-peer forward in the future. Although the town halls and staff briefings. recognition, online newsreels, online VA technology infrastructure is safer The ultimate goal is to see the polls, blogs, comment cards and social than it has ever been, we continue to CRISP culture come from individual site feeds. make it stronger by securing sensitive communities. Recently, a regional of- The call to action for all of us is information. fice ISO posted a video on YouTube to incorporate the following CRISP A notable change in VA culture to continue CRISP in his own com- goals in our VA communities. is the adherence to information secu- munity. This is only the beginning of n Protect the trust relationship with rity training. As of April, 99 percent the creativity and thoughtfulness that every Veteran. of all VA personnel had completed will make CRISP an ingrained part of n Promote key information security their training. On April 1, all new res- VA culture. habits in all VA personnel. idents, trainees and contractors began CRISP is a community and in- n Optimize the potential of technol- to take privacy and information secu- dividual effort. CRISP messages and ogy in information security. rity training through the VA Talent communications are already springing n Streamline the administration of Management System. Annually, more up in community circles, at VAMCs information security. than 120,000 trainees spend time and regional offices. Those on the The CRISP website is a resource in VA medical centers for clinical front line of caring for Veterans act for the VA workforce. The site training. The increases in role-based like members of a Neighborhood provides videos, a communications training enable everyone to take part Watch program, a community where library and other tools. The library is in CRISP, reaffirming Veterans’ trust neighbors care about and protect each a quick source for discussion topics, that we are keeping their information other. CRISP encourages the same talking points and frequently asked secure. sense of community, starting with questions. Some of the materials are To nurture the emerging cul- mutual security and awareness of po- useful for facility-level printing and ture of CRISP, we have distributed tential threats. distribution, such as reminder cards messages in many forms, including We are at the forefront of protect- and posters. The site also includes a engaging online activities, Hey VA! ing sensitive information; as such, we general presentation with thoughtful announcements and short surveys to are adding value by driving originality metaphors that are easily adaptable for improve your understanding of the at the local level. To support your in- your team. CRISP message. Based on your survey novation, the CRISP Communica- Being a Security Sentry is a responses, we estimate that the aver- tions Team is building online experi- choice we make. No matter what role we play in VA, we always need to be It Happens at VA: Actual Information mindful of our duty to be vigilant in Security Incidents Securing Care for Veterans. n A VA contractor prints a list including personally identifiable information for For more information about several Veterans. Only after she clicks “print” does she realize she has selected CRISP and to find out ways to ad- the incorrect network printer from the print menu. The list prints to an unknown vance CRISP in your community, printer in an unknown location. The next morning, an employee arrives for work check out the tools on the CRISP and notices an unclaimed stack of papers lying on the nearby printer; it is the website at vaww.vhaco.va.gov/CRISP, list of patient information. Remembering his information security training, he or send the CRISP Communications contacts his local privacy officer. The privacy officer retrieves the list, and in- Team an email at [email protected]. You forms the employee that his watchfulness prevented the exposure of Veterans’ can also contact your local Informa- sensitive information. tion Security Officer, who can discuss n After a VA medical center employee is done using a patient roster containing CRISP with you and your team, at protected health information for several dozen Veterans, he absent-mindedly vaww.infoprotection.va.gov/ throws it in a trashcan. The trashcan is located in a public hallway accessible ISO-PO-Locator. to passing patients, visitors and VA personnel. The employee’s inattentiveness puts the Veterans’ information at risk to theft by any one of the many passersby By Jeff Shyshka who might use the information for identity theft and fraud. Fortunately, a VA vol- Editor’s note: The author is deputy chief unteer walking by notices the roster in the trashcan and turns it in. Her vigilance information officer, Service Delivery and protects Veterans and their trust relationship with VA. Engineering, Office of Information and Technology.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 7 “eBenefits helps answer my questions and gives me the status updates I want,” says Army Veteran Charlie Selby. robert turtil eBenefits: Access and Information, 24/7 The Web portal provides a single and transparent access point for online benefits, related content, and services. ot so long ago, Charlie he just couldn’t seem to navigate VA described “control freak who has way Selby would have described or get what he needed. too much going on” in his life. “My himself as a frustrated and Transitioning from active duty job is busy,” he says, “and I still do Ndisgruntled Vet who felt brought a host of challenges, includ- Army Reserve. I have a 15-year-old like he wasn’t getting the help that he ing trying to learn what benefits he son who I like to spend time with and needed or deserved. As an Army Vet- was eligible for, submitting the right watch his hockey games. And I have eran with seven years of active duty claims documents and supporting an old house that demands constant service during both the Gulf War and information, getting doctor appoint- painting and remodeling.” Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 14 years ments to review his compensation When it comes to getting what of service in the reserves, he knows claims, and the list goes on. he needs from VA, Selby is laser- what it takes to get a job done. Yet, On top of that, Selby is a self- focused: “I want to know what’s go-

8 VAnguard • May/June 2012 ing on with my VA benefits at every make it simpler for service members important part of the Veterans Ben- step. I don’t want to wait on a phone and Veterans to enroll at the site. In efits Administration’s transformation for someone to try and answer my April, VA announced that Veterans efforts to move to a new model of question. If I wake up at 2 a.m. with can now use a new online authentica- paperless processing of claims and a a question, or I need to find information wizard to verify their identity and total, lifelong engagement with Veter- tion, I want to be able to get it when I access the secure areas of the eBenefits ans, service members, and their fami- want, regardless of the time.” website. Before that, many users had lies and survivors. VBA is defining For Selby and more than 1.4 mil- to go in person to a VA regional of- and implementing a new, integrated lion other Veterans, the VA and De- fice, Tricare Service Center, or call and comprehensive system that will partment of Defense-sponsored eBene- the VA toll-free number before they address its claims backlog, freeing up fits Web portal, www.ebenefits.va.gov, could obtain Premium Level access to resources that can be realigned to bet- has provided the solution. eBenefits the site and all of its features. ter meet Veterans’ long-term needs. is a virtual lifetime electronic Web- VA is committed to modern- The digitally ready files and based portal that serves military men izing its infrastructure and improving claims documents in eBenefits allow and women as they begin their mili- customer service to give Veterans and enrollees to submit their claims. This tary service, and continues to support service members what they deserve is part of VBA’s technology transfor- Veterans after they transition to civil- and need. One important area of focus mation strategy that will eventually ian status. is jobs. VA knows there are many drive those seeking benefits through Through eBenefits, users can Veterans looking for work. With the the “front door” of eBenefits and into apply for benefits, download their upcoming “VA for Vets” capability, a paperless environment. DD-214 Certificate of Release or Veterans will be able to search for “Seventy-three percent of our ser- Discharge from Active Duty, and see employment within VA and receive vice members and Veterans have told the status of their VA disability com- employment counseling and support. us they want to meet us online,” says pensation claim. Service members, Other features coming soon Under Secretary Hickey. More than Veterans and family members can all include new updates to the existing 1.4 million Veterans are currently en- register to use the site, giving them payment history feature to allow users rolled to use the site, and they are be- access to the portal’s secure features, ing joined by more than 35,000 new and allowing site information to be “I want to know what’s users every month. personalized to their needs. eBenefits was established as Other features of the site include going on with my VA part of the President’s Commission the capabilities to generate a Civil benefits at every step.” on Care for America’s Returning Service Preference letter for federal Wounded Warriors, also known as the hiring; monitor select compensation to view new payment types and any Dole-Shalala Commission. The Com- and pension benefit information; debts. Veterans will also be able to mission recommended the creation of take free online courses, including a apply for both compensation and pen- a Web portal to provide a single and highly-rated Transition Assistance sion benefits by using a wizard-type transparent access point for online Program class; and review Veterans’ tool. The new tool will guide users benefits, related content, and services. Claims and Appeal status. In all, the through the online compensation and “eBenefits is the way I get the site currently offers more than 41 self- pension application processes through information I need to keep track of service features that are available 24 a series of easy-to-follow steps and VA,” says Selby. “Just because I work hours a day, seven days a week. More questions. at VA doesn’t mean I always know features are being added every quarter. “There are a bunch of things that what is going on with my claims and “Please, please encourage [service I can do for myself, such as verifying information. eBenefits helps answer members and Veterans] to enroll in my Veteran status, applying for jobs, my questions and gives me the status eBenefits,” Allison A. Hickey, VA’s and submitting a claim,” says Selby, updates I want. Now that I have ac- Under Secretary for Benefits, recently who is the deputy director of VA’s cess to eBenefits, I can tell that they told the Military Officers Association National Veterans Outreach Office in have my stuff, and when they are do- of America. “They will have access the Office of Public and Intergovern- ing things with it. I can now see and and information in their hands that mental Affairs. “I’m pretty much the have visual proof of what is happen- will expand their ability to leverage lowest common denominator in terms ing, and can track if they are taking the entitlements they have earned of Web savviness, so if I can use eBen- too long. and deserve.” efits effectively, it has got to be pretty “Look, I’m crazy busy,” he con- Under Secretary Hickey has easy to use.” cludes. “It’s great that eBenefits is made it “one of my big, big goals” to The eBenefits initiative is an always there now.”

VAnguard • May/June 2012 9 A Unique Perspective on Art Veteran artist taps Wheelchair Games athletes to offer a rare opportunity for his students.

ollege students in Richmond, Va., got more from a spring semester art course than they’d signed up for. Virginia Commonwealth University ad- Cjunct professor Michael D. Fay, a Vietnam era Veteran who also deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq as a Marine Corps combat artist, took advantage of a rare and fleeting opportunity for his students, as the Hunter Hol- mes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond prepares to host the 32nd Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games June 25-30. Fay, who teaches a reportage drawing class at VCU, arranged with VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America officials for VCU art students to create portraits of Wheelchair Games competitors, influenced by interviews the students conducted with them. richmond vamc staff photo Reportage art is an intimate form of journalism that employs “slowed vision” by visually documenting personal Veteran athlete John Jackson poses for a profile view during a portrait session, as students from Virginia Commonwealth University stories. Drawing takes time, and the rapport between artist work to capture the essence of his athletic participation. Jackson and subject often leads to images more powerful than those was among a group of athletes preparing for the 32nd Annual captured by the blink of a camera. The experience of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games who volunteered to work with interview offered students insights into the culture of the students on a project to be featured during the Games. disabled combat Veterans. That perspective should affect the outcome of their work. logical conditions, amputations or other mobility impair- “This is an experience they will carry with them ments. Attracting more than 500 athletes each year to beyond the portraits, into the rest of their lives,” said compete in 17 competitive events, including weightlift- Alison Faulk, Local Organizing Committee chair for the ing, swimming, archery and handcycling, the Games is Games. Faulk added that the students will most likely the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. share the perspective they gain from interaction with Students met with local Veteran athletes as they Veterans. practiced their specialties at the Richmond VA April 9 The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, pre- to complete their reportage artwork, which will be dis- sented by VA and PVA, is a multi-event sports and played at the Virginia War Memorial during the week of rehabilitation program for Veterans who use wheelchairs the Games. for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, neuro- The class is new at VCU, offered through the de-

10 VAnguard • May/June 2012 richmond vamc staff photo

Above: Students from Virginia Commonwealth University professor Michael D. Fay’s reportage drawing class work to create portraits of National Veterans Wheelchair Games competitors. Right: A student sketch of Veteran athlete Ronald Richardson is the first step in completion of a “reportage art” portrait. Richardson will compete in the 32nd Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games slated for June 25-30 in Richmond, Va.

partment of Painting and Printmaking. Fay is lending his expertise in covering the military, and specifically combat, to help students broaden their outlook. According to an article that appeared in the Rich- mond Times-Dispatch, Emily Bolin, a VCU senior, sketched as she talked with Veteran Ronald Richardson, 53, of Fayetteville, N.C., who shot air guns while other richmond vamc staff photo richmond vamc staff photo Veterans played basketball or pool and bowled. “There’s a different edge to it than sitting in a classroom and Fay’s artwork has been published in the Marine drawing still lifes,” Bolin said. Later in the article, Fay Corps Combat Art collection, the National Museum of offered, “These are moments that would otherwise be the Marine Corps, and Leatherneck magazine, the official lost.” magazine of the Marine Corps. His written work has ap- Fay first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1975, and peared in The New York Times. earned his Naval Aircrew Wings as a VH-3D crew chief, Veterans will travel from all over the United States, along with more than 21 military honors, including two Puerto Rico and Great Britain to participate in the 32nd Combat Action Ribbons, Navy Commendation Medal, annual Wheelchair Games, featuring athletic events two Navy Achievement Medals and the Presidential throughout the Richmond area. The Games return this Service Badge. As a chief warrant officer 2, he served year to the site of the very first Wheelchair Games in as one of two combat artists for the Marine Corps from 1981. 2000 to 2010. Fay shared that he wanted to make sure his students saw something “nitty-gritty.” By Steve Wilkins

VAnguard • May/June 2012 11 The World Health Organization estimates that at least 80 percent of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes cases are preventable if the medical center, said peer support people stop smoking, eat healhfully and get is a major factor in quitting the to- in shape. bacco habit. “We had one Veteran in our class who was at 20 cigarettes a day,” he said. “One week later, he was down to two a day. Then, when he showed up for class the following week, he had gone back up to three. He was discouraged. He was really beating himself up over that. But we told him, ‘Look at where you are today compared to where you were … look at your progress!’ Then the other Vets in the class jumped in and gave him a lot of affirmation. You could see the guy just sitting there, letting it all sink in. Then he smiled and said, ‘Yeah, I am doing a good job, aren’t I?’ “Your fellow Veterans who are also trying to quit can be a source of strength and motivation for you,” Smart said. “You’re all going through the same battle together.” Support for Veteran Kenneth Thrower entered Walla Walla’s Tobacco Ces- sation Program in November of last Kicking year. He said peer support was a significant factor in helping him quit the habit. “I felt like I wasn’t alone,” the Habit he observed. “I was with other people who were trying to do the same thing robert turtil I was. It was very helpful.” Dr. Jameson Lontz, a psychologist and lead clinician for Walla Walla’s Helping Veterans be among Tobacco Cessation Program, said Thrower experienced a number of the 3 million Americans relapses while trying to kick the habit, who successfully quit but stuck with the program. “We call those ‘practice quits,’” Lontz said. smoking each year. “Kenneth had a lot of practice quits, but then he started making progress in he bad news: About 440,000 at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Me- leaps and bounds. Now he’s our poster Americans die each year from morial VA Medical Center in Walla child.” tobacco-related illnesses. Walla, Wash. “These programs will “I went from a carton to three TThe good news: More than guide them through lessons that can packs, then to one pack,” Thrower 3 million Americans successfully quit be accessed online or in person, in- said. “Once I got down to one pack, smoking each year, and VA can help cluding information about preparing I would just smoke half a cigarette. Veterans join that group. to quit, tips on quit day, overcoming It was easier to manage once I got to “VA medical centers across the roadblocks, getting used to life as a one pack. Now I’m down to zero. I’m country have tobacco cessation sup- tobacco-free person, and strategies to on the patch.” port programs for our Veterans,” said help them remain abstinent.” “Let’s face it,” Lontz said. “When Patrick Smart, a Health Promotion Smart, who helps teach a tobacco someone decides to give up smoking, Disease Prevention Program manager cessation class one day each week at they’ve made a decision to give up

12 VAnguard • May/June 2012 Linda Wondra Veteran Kenneth Thrower, left, discusses his tobacco cessation game plan with Disease Prevention Program Manager Patrick Smart, center, and Dr. Jameson Lontz, lead clinician for the Walla Walla VA’s Tobacco Cessation Program. their favorite thing. It’s tough. It’s go- to nearly 50 percent of all prevent- Lontz likes to think of his seven- ing to leave a big hole in their life, a able deaths,” the psychologist said. week tobacco cessation program, hole that needs to be filled.” “If people changed these unhealthy which currently has 40 participants, So how did Thrower fill that hole behaviors, some of these deaths could as a train that runs in a continuous in his life? be postponed or avoided. So when circle around a city. “You can get off “I joined the YMCA,” the Veterans come to our tobacco cessa- the train anytime, at any location you 46-year-old explained. “I’m really tion classes, we tell them that quitting want,” he explained. “You can get excited about it. I’m into health now. smoking is the single most important back on the train anytime you want. I replaced smoking with exercise. thing they can do to improve their You know the train will always be I turned my newfound energy into health and protect the health of their there.” something productive. Smoking for family members. And while the em- He explained that Walla Walla’s me was a social experience, but now phasis is on tobacco cessation, we also tobacco cessation program uses a com- I can interact with people who aren’t strongly emphasize the importance of bination of group sessions and indi- smoking. They’re working out.” an overall healthy lifestyle. vidual counseling, as well as nicotine Lontz said that an analysis con- “Human beings are amazing replacement medications for those ducted by the Centers for Disease creatures who can solve most of their who need them. Control and Prevention in 2004 problems if they just have the educa- “And even when the Veteran revealed that 18 percent of deaths tion and the support,” Lontz added. isn’t ready to quit, we never give up in the U.S. were due to tobacco, 17 “So that’s what we try to give them. I on them,” Lontz said. “We always percent to poor diet and physical ask their permission, and then provide leave the door open by letting Veter- inactivity, and 3 percent to alcohol the education. We don’t judge them. ans know that when they’re ready to consumption. Ten percent were due We just try to build them up. And we quit, we’ll be right here to help.” to other preventable causes. let them know we have tremendous “In all, these behaviors contribute confidence in them.” By Tom Cramer

VAnguard • May/June 2012 13 Forging a Path Into the Unknown Providence initiative helps ALS patients navigate the VA health care system.

n the fall of 2008, Veteran John moment on, Raimondi and Antonizio rosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s dis- Antonizio was referred to Erinn would work together, forging a path ease, is a progressive neurodegenera- Raimondi in the Providence (R.I.) into the unknown for equipment, tive disease that affects nerve cells in IVA Medical Center’s Occupa- therapy protocols and resources. the brain and spinal cord. There is no tional Therapy Department for ulnar Months passed before Antonizio known cure. Patients diagnosed with neuropathy. Antonizio declined to be made his way to the Spinal Cord ALS not only have to face the grim seen at that time. “The doctor is run- Injury, or SCI, Clinic, where he was reality that they will lose their ability ning more tests,” he said. “Let’s just provided with interdisciplinary care. to function physically, but also must wait and see what happens.” “There were so many questions left struggle with knowing that they will Two months later, Raimondi re- unanswered,” Raimondi recalled, “but continue to remain cognitively intact. ceived another consult on Antonizio. at least now there were more hands For the rest of their lives, patients This time, the diagnosis wasn’t ulnar carving the path.” with ALS and their families will face neuropathy—it was ALS. From that ALS, or amyotrophic lateral scle- struggles of unimaginable proportions.

From left: ALS system of care redesign team members William Luderer, Stephen Mernoff, M.D., Marie Sullivan, Erinn Raimondi, Laurie Wilson, Ellen Tragar, Diane Blier and Maureen Hebert.

Thomas Antonaccio

14 VAnguard • May/June 2012 Children become caregivers. Wives all that. The team broke down the cian toolkit and addressing patients’ become advocates. Friends become project into four more manageable questions about equipment and equip- scarce. 100-day projects. Each phase had a ment return policies. Amid all of this, the Veteran and patient-centered focus as well as a The project is currently on phase family must figure out how to navigate VA clinic focus in an attempt to bal- IV—the final phase—which consists the VA system to maximize benefits ance the scale and ensure staff was of completing a comprehensive profes- that they don’t even know exist. It equipped to handle the growing needs. sional resource guide and educating was this last piece that Raimondi and Phase I emphasized the need to staff within the Providence VAMC a recently formed ALS system of care decrease the wait time from diagnosis on the availability of the ALS clinic. redesign team sought to improve. to initial visit to the SCI/ALS clinic. The patient resource guide was actu- Over the past year, the team has It also paved the way for ensuring that ally the brainchild of another Veteran been working on what may be an every piece of equipment for a patient with ALS—William (Bill) Szeliga. unprecedented project to improve was ordered in a timely fashion under Szeliga is the archetypal well- the quality of care for patients with the “STAT” (priority) category. educated and self-advocating Veteran. ALS. As a result of Having nobody to help the dedication and navigate his path, he commitment of this forged ahead on tips interdisciplinary team and hints from differ- of clinicians, Veterans ent departments. One with ALS now have day he asked Raimondi a one-stop clinic they why there wasn’t a can attend to triage all resource guide—why of their medical, social Veterans couldn’t have services and equip- a resource that would ment needs. help them with all the “We now have available services. many of the answers “How hard could it we didn’t have before be to put a few things starting this project,” down on paper?” Rai- said Raimondi, the mondi thought. leader of this systems Szeliga got the ball redesign project. “Be- rolling by providing fore, there was no Raimondi with a typed, consistent, standard- four-page list of re- ized process in place sources. Soon, the pa- at the Providence tient resource guide be- VAMC to help Veter- gan to take shape with ans with ALS navigate the input of clinicians, through the maze that ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a staff and other ALS is the VA, on both the progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and patients. The patient health care and ben- spinal cord. resource guide includes efits sides. Phase II took the clinic further the names and contact information “There were no evidence-based into patient-centered care by increas- for all of the key ALS team members, practices implemented for treating ing the number of open slots each a list of all of the services VA can Veterans with ALS. There were no month from two to four and offering provide on an as-needed basis, and a standards of care or equipment strate- both a morning and an afternoon wealth of information on equipment, gies in place. Each Veteran pains- schedule to better accommodate pa- grants and additional support systems. takingly carved his or her own path tient and family needs. Raimondi hopes this project will through the system to get pieces of Phase III focused heavily on clini- serve as a VA best practice—to set equipment, oftentimes too late to use cal documentation to ensure that all what she calls “the gold standard of by the time it became available. In information was being captured and care, when there are no more John many cases, the Veteran and family that documentation was occurring in Antonizios or Bill Szeligas having to were left to fend for themselves.” a timely and consistent manner. This carve a path to the great care VA can But this project has changed phase also included work on the clini- offer during this difficult journey.”

VAnguard • May/June 2012 15 Keeping Faith With Louisiana’s Veterans Dedication marks the 17th new cemetery opened in the past decade.

s Americans, we where nearly 4,500 American soldiers, keep faith with Louisiana’s Veterans believe there are Confederate and Union, were killed and their families for many years to things worth fight- during the Civil War. The grounds come.” “Aing for and some- were first used as a cemetery in 1863. The Secretary also made refer- times even worth dying for.” These In 1866, the federal government ap- ence to the nearby Civil War battles, were the words of Under Secretary propriated 8.4 acres of land and de- quoting President Abraham Lincoln. for Memorial Affairs Steve L. Muro, clared the site a national cemetery. “At solemn ceremonies like this one, speaking at the groundbreaking cer- In his keynote address, VA Sec- especially in places with such historic emony of the Louisiana National retary Eric K. Shinseki expressed his significance, it is difficult to find ad- Cemetery. gratitude for the service given by equate words,” he said. More than 300 Veterans and pa- Louisiana Veterans. “From the siege “Almost 148 years ago, President triotic citizens turned out on a sunny of Port Hudson, to the battlefields of Lincoln faced the same challenge, morning in Zachary, La., for the Europe, the Pacific, the Korean Pen- and his words then are eloquent and dedication and plaque unveiling. The insula, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Af- timeless today: ‘In a larger sense, we event, held March 24, marked the ghanistan,” he said, “Louisianans have cannot dedicate, we cannot conse- National Cemetery Administration’s answered the call to duty with courage crate, we cannot hallow this ground. 17th dedication of a new cemetery in and, always, with great sacrifice. The brave men, living and dead, who the past decade. “Though Port Hudson will close struggled here, have hallowed it, far The Louisiana National Cemetery to new interments later this summer,” above our poor power to add or de- is located about 1.5 miles from the his- Shinseki added, “the annex we are tract.’” toric Port Hudson National Cemetery, dedicating today will enable us to Under Secretary Muro, comment-

Left to right: MSN II Executive Director Frank Kawulich, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Programs Glenn Powers, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve L. Muro, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, Director of Louisiana National Cemetery Rex Kern, and Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Lane Carson take part in the plaque unveiling.

wayne alley

16 VAnguard • May/June 2012 wayne alley Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led emergency response teams in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, served as master of ceremonies for the dedication ceremony. ing on the ideal of creating sacred “As you can see, it takes much leans played the national anthem, taps ground for Veterans, said, “We believe effort and many people for ceremo- and a medley of service songs. Weap- we have a duty to care for those living nies such as these to take place, but ons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd and dead who have borne our battles. everyone worked together to make it Marines, provided the Presentation Our national cemeteries give those happen,” Kern said. “We are one VA of Colors and a rifle salute. Richard left behind a focal point for remem- with one common goal: to provide Brandt, commandant, Marine Corps bering. benefits and services to our nation’s League, Choctaw Detachment, led “So when you visit the Louisiana Veterans and families.” the Pledge of Allegiance. The Zach- National Cemetery in the future, I ask The dedication was graced with ary High School Junior ROTC and you to bear in mind what our fallen the presence of Lt. Gen. Russel L. Boy Scout Troop 472 also provided service members and Veterans have Honoré, Louisiana’s “Category 5 gen- assistance. done for us and for our country. It’s as eral,” who led emergency response The Louisiana National Cemetery simple as this: they gave their tomor- teams in the Hurricane Katrina after- occupies 103.8 acres of land just north rows so that we might have today.” math, serving as master of ceremonies. of the State Capitol. The cemetery will Rex Kern, the first director of Also in attendance were Louisiana provide a full range of burial alterna- the cemetery, who also administers Department of Veterans Affairs Secre- tives to approximately 293,000 area Port Hudson, Baton Rouge, Natchez tary Lane Carson, who gave remarks, Veterans and eligible family members. and Alexandria National Cemeteries, and VA Chaplain Service Director First burials are expected to take place acknowledged his staff and local VA Keith Etheridge, who offered the this summer. offices for contributing to the success prayer of dedication. of the dedication. The U.S. Navy Band New Or- By Richelle Taylor

VAnguard • May/June 2012 17 gary j. kunich Cmdr. (Dr.) Mike McBride takes the Navy’s commissioning oath with Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink. His father, Fuller McBride, left, and father-in- law, Carl John, held the flag that was given to McBride by his battle buddies in Iraq. Finding a Calling He Never Thought Possible Milwaukee psychiatrist answers the call to service and finds a passion.

r. Mike McBride went from So on Dec. 30, 2011, he signed would take me at all,” McBride said. a successful practice helping up to do it again—this time as a Navy “It wasn’t until 9/11 that I thought children and teens with psy- officer. His commissioning ceremony about it, and one of my [medical prac- Dchiatric issues, to running at the Milwaukee VA also came with tice] partners told me it was a different mental health triage for planeloads of a promotion to commander. world—things had changed and the injured soldiers from Iraq, many with Now he hopes he’ll soon get his Army wanted doctors.” missing limbs and traumatic wounds fifth crack at deployment, this time McBride was 40 years old and part that ran deeper than flesh. working with Marines in Afghanistan. of a mental health practice in Aurora, And in the process, already in his In the meantime, he’ll continue doing Wis., when he joined the Army Re- late 40s, he found a passion and call- his job at the Milwaukee VA, a posi- serve as a captain in 2003. ing he never knew was possible. tion he’s held since 2007. “I thought they’d use me for back- McBride, a Milwaukee VA psy- His work in and for the military is fill while the active-duty doctors went chiatrist, spent eight years in the something he never thought he’d do. overseas,” he said. “But Iraq started Army and four deployments helping A case of mumps—a year before the saber-rattling in March 2003, the war soldiers with the mental wounds of vaccine—left him hearing-impaired. started in April, and by summer I was war. It was tough work. He thought His father was drafted and served at Landstuhl [Medical Center] in Ger- he’d had enough. Then he had second as a Navy doctor during the Vietnam many.” thoughts. War, but “I never thought the military By the time Iraq fell in the fall

18 VAnguard • May/June 2012 of 2003 and roadside bombs became rockets come in whether you’re in a “I think it helps that I was over prevalent, scores of wounded were convoy or on a camp. There’s really there, but I’m not the best psychiatrist evacuated every day to Germany. no break from that.” here. My experience complements our “My commander wanted me to With no replacement in sight, he team, but our entire Mental Health see every blast-injured soldier who spent nine months in country as the team is a strong group of dedicated, came through,” he said. “It was like officer in charge of the 785th Combat devoted and very professional people a scene from ‘M*A*S*H.’ We were Stress Company. who truly do care.” getting 30 to 60 new wounded each He found himself helping not McBride’s office is decorated with day. I was working my shift, talking to only soldiers with battle wounds, but the souvenirs of war—photos from soldiers who were dealing with ampu- also those dealing with divorce and past deployments and mementos of his tations they’d had just that day.” other stresses of long-term deploy- time in Iraq and Germany. For many McBride was soon back home and ments. As he walked into the chow who come to him for healing, it pro- resumed his practice, but the four- hall one day and saw the diversity vides an opening and lets them know month tour left an indelible mark. of soldiers, all from different back- he understands. “There was a certain amount of grounds, it was a bit of an epiphany. He said it’s those he treats who readjustment,” he said, “and you come “This was America,” he said. convinced him there was still work to home thinking about the people still “This is what it meant to be an do. serving over there.” American. To go overseas and give up “Many of these people would do In 2005, he knew it was only a all your comforts, and yet everybody is anything to continue serving, to go matter of time before he’d be deployed working together for a greater purpose. back over there, but they can’t be- back to Germany for another four I never understood that before the cause of their injuries. It’s the whole months. military.” idea of sacrifice. And I thought, this “My partners did a good job man- McBride said he started to see is my shame. I’m sitting here. I can go aging the work and the families I had more and more the side effects of the back over and they can’t.” been treating the first time,” he said, prolonged war when he went back to McBride made his latest commis- “but it was more difficult the second Iraq in January 2010. sioning ceremony a family and mili- time around, and I knew I was doing a “The soldiers were worn out from tary affair. He took the oath while his disservice to those families if I was go- fighting two wars,” he said. “Medical father held one side of an American ing to be gone for a long period.” support was reduced, but we still had flag, and his father-in-law, Carl John, Just as his number was about the same number of combat troops to also a Veteran, held the other side. to come up for a third deployment treat, and we were understaffed. Rock- The flag was a gift to McBride from in 2007, he got a call from Mental ets could come in anytime, anywhere. his battle buddies in Iraq. Health Division Manager Dr. Rich Nobody felt safe.” And lest anyone think he wanted Gibson at the Milwaukee VA. Gibson Finally, it felt like enough. Soon the ceremony to be all about him, knew about McBride’s deployments after returning home, the Army asked McBride took a detour from his and wanted to hear his ideas about if he wanted to sign on for a few more planned remarks and made a point to treating young Veterans who were years. He said, “No, thanks.” individually recognize everyone in the starting to come to VA in droves. By But those years spent treating room who served in the military, by the end of the meeting, Gibson of- the battle-wounded and weary helped name and when they served. fered him a job. make him just as successful back at “I had a whole other speech pre- “It just made a lot of sense,” the Milwaukee VA, where he inter- pared, but when we talk about the McBride said. “They knew I was in acts daily with hundreds of military war, and the sacrifices people make, it the reserves, they knew I could deploy troops who fought the same war. is the Veterans who truly understand and that was just part of it. We have Many of them posted on Face- that, and that’s the point I wanted to people who work here every day who book after his Navy ceremony and make.” deploy and then come back. It’s part said he has made a difference. He doesn’t know when he’ll pack of our mission.” “Great man and healer,” one his bags and go again, but he already McBride next did a deployment person wrote. “The only psychiatrist told the brass he is ready and willing to Camp Liberty in Iraq, beginning in I know who has been over there and to go. December 2007. gets it. Thanks for giving back to your And so he’ll do what he’s done “I never thought this would hap- fellow warriors and continuing to before, just in another uniform. After pen when I joined,” he said. “Even serve. I salute you, Doc.” all, there’s more work to be done. on a camp, it was dangerous. Doctors McBride modestly waves off the were dying from mortar attacks. The compliment. By Gary J. Kunich

VAnguard • May/June 2012 19 A RELAXING VACATION? Not for This VA Doctor 20 VAnguard • May/June 2012

jay coble Asheville VA’s Dr. Jim Johnson and Veteran Charlie Burns ‘get away from it all’ by traveling to Third World countries on medical and humanitarian missions.

mergency medicine is often village has limited access to electric- two nurses, Lisa Banks and Stephanie stressful and complex, with ity and there is no running water or Carte, who work at Mission Hospital doctors given little time for indoor plumbing and certainly no ac- in Asheville, Johnson performed more Econtemplation as they make cess to cell phones or Internet. There than 100 exams in a single day. critical medical decisions that may are no diesel machines or other power The examinations of Bolivians mean the difference between life and tools to help with the work. There is were a far cry from a typical day in the death. also no “Casa Depot” nearby if you Emergency Department back at the Many doctors like to take relax- need to pick up more supplies. Asheville VA. People of all ages and ing vacations to island getaways or With limited equipment, work is conditions came to see Johnson as he resorts to escape the pressure. Dr. Jim planned carefully and executed with assessed their health, provided them Johnson is not one of those doctors. manual labor—lots of manual labor. with medical supplies, and gave them Johnson, who has been working in This year, Johnson and Burns helped advice on how to seek additional emergency medicine treatments or improve for 12 years and their health. There serves as chief of the were no eligibility Emergency Depart- checks or electronic ment at the Charles charting, just a doctor George VA Medical and nurses working Center in Asheville, directly with the local N.C., chooses to Bolivians to provide “get away from it the best care possible. all” by going on Burns spent his trips to Third World time in the city do- countries in support ing roof repair and of medical and hu- constructing “Peace manitarian missions. Poles” that will be In early April, installed at the chil- Johnson and 11 dren’s home. Burns other people from works with homeless

Asheville trav- jay coble Veterans in western eled to Bolivia to North Carolina, and Opposite and above: Dr. Jim Johnson examined Bolivians of all ages at a community work at a home health clinic he offered in the capital of La Paz. the peace poles are for orphaned and similar to ones that abandoned children. The volunteer build retaining walls to terrace the he has constructed and installed there. team also included a Veteran, Char- steep land in the village of Tacachia. The wooden poles constructed in Bo- lie Burns, who receives care at the It is grueling work made easier by the livia are approximately 10 feet high, Charles George VAMC. Burns is a love and hugs given by the children four-sided, and inscribed in English, retired roofer with decades of experi- they went there to help. Spanish, Aymaran, and Quechuan ence in home construction. While in After leaving the remote village, with the words: “May Peace Prevail Bolivia, he and Johnson worked side- Johnson, Burns and the rest of their Upon the Earth.” by-side hauling rocks, mixing concrete team returned to the capital of La Paz. This was not your typical vaca- and doing other low-skilled labor for City life contrasted greatly with the tion. Then again, Johnson and Burns the orphanage while living in the re- primitive village, and this new loca- are not your typical doctor and Vet- mote village of Tacachia, nestled deep tion gave Johnson the chance to use eran. in the Andes of South America. his medical skills by offering a com- Life is Tacachia is primitive. The munity health clinic. With the help of By Randy McCracken

VAnguard • May/June 2012 21

Help for Veteran Business Owners, Job Seekers Detroit event expected to draw thousands of participants.

he National Veterans Small portunities, while also offering career range of resources available to help Business Conference, the search classes and one-on-one coach- them with their own businesses. Also government’s premier event ing.” available will be the VetGovPartner Tfor Veteran-owned small Last year’s National Veterans online platform, which enables net- businesses, will take place at Detroit’s Small Business Conference and Expo working, viewing the business profiles Cobo Center June 26-29 in conjunc- in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 of all participants, and identifying tion with a VA for Vets Hiring Fair attendees, and more than 6,000 par- business opportunities with more than and open house June 26-28. ticipants are expected this year. The 400 government procurement deci- While the conference is expected Small Business Conference and Expo sion makers in attendance. to inject an estimated $3 million into afforded Veteran-owned businesses an Technically separate from the the local economy, the big winners opportunity not only to network with Small Business Conference, the are expected to be Veteran-owned other Veteran-owned small businesses, VA for Vets Hiring Fair will afford businesses and Veterans looking for a but also to build relationships with thousands of Veteran job seekers the job. federal agencies that contract for their opportunity to not only navigate the “VA is committed to bringing goods and services, as well as larger maze of federal employment, but also more Veteran-owned businesses into businesses looking for qualified and give them a competitive edge to assist the public-private partnership,” said experienced subcontractors necessary in landing the right job. VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich. “In to successfully do business with the The event is modeled after VA’s addition to the National Veterans government. successful event held Jan. 18 in Wash- Small Business Conference, our De- This year’s conference will also ington, D.C., at which a partnership troit Hiring Fair will provide Veterans include an open house that gives of federal agencies and private indus- with on-site interviews and job op- Veterans the chance to learn the wide try attracted more than 4,100 Veter-

The VA for Vets Hiring Fair will offer job seekers the opportunity to navigate the maze of federal employment and will also give them a competitive edge to assist them in landing the right job.

22 VAnguard • May/June 2012 robert turtil The VA for Vets program is pioneering initiatives aimed at expanding its reach to a greater pool of Veteran job seekers.

What’s in Store for VA for Vets?

After successfully launching on Veter- in the lives of so many Veterans,” said vice to a VA career is a cultural adjust- ans Day 2011, VA for Vets is changing Santiago, “but we are moving full speed ment for new employees, who may need how the federal government approaches ahead to ensure that all our nation’s Vet- additional support to fully acclimate. For recruiting, hiring and retaining talented erans have the support they need to find that reason, the VA for Vets onboarding Veterans to its workforce. The program a meaningful career.” and mentoring program partners new is pioneering initiatives that will expand So what’s in store for VA for Vets? Veteran hires with seasoned VA employ- its high tech, high touch solutions to n Veteran Hiring Fair: VA for Vets will ees to build a foundation for long-term reach a greater pool of Veteran job host a large-scale Veteran Hiring Fair professional growth. Learn more about seekers. June 26 through 28 at Detroit’s Cobo the Veterans onboarding and mentoring VA for Vets is the flagship initiative Center. With free training sessions and program at www.VAforVets.VA.gov/ of the Veteran Employment Services Of- personalized coaching sessions, at- employees/veteranprograms/ fice. VESO provides oversight of all VA tendees have the opportunity to build VeteransOnboarding Veteran employment initiatives, and as stronger resumes and master interview n Building the Federal Platform: The VA such, is the first office of its kind in the techniques. Hundreds of public and pri- for Vets Career Center offers one of the federal government. Mary M. Santiago, vate sector employees will be onsite to most robust, full spectrum job search VESO director, held the large-scale Vet- interview and potentially hire for open functions in the federal government. Be- eran Career Fair & Expo in Washington, positions. Thousands of Veterans are ginning this summer, the Career Center D.C., this past January, where more than expected to attend. Visit the event web- will incorporate open positions from the 500 Veterans were hired. site at www.VAforVets.VA.gov/Detroit to Department of Defense, with plans to ex- “We are very proud of the pro- register and learn more. pand to all government jobs. Check out gram’s accomplishments to date and n Veterans Onboarding and Mentoring the VA for Vets Career Center at www. the impact that VA for Vets is making Program: Transitioning from military ser- VAforVets.VA.gov/career-center. VAnguard • May/June 2012 23 robert turtil Last year’s National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 attendees. ans and resulted in more than 2,600 in the federal government and private Known historically as the world’s on-the-spot interviews and more than sector. Our Veterans deserve the best, capital for the transportation industry, 500 tentative job offers. When the and we are proud to partner with the the Detroit metro area is reinvent- D.C. event was all said and done, 123 private sector and the other federal ing itself with six booming industries: Veterans had landed a job with VA, agencies to serve those who have medical research; defense; entertain- 114 with other agencies and 324 were served our country.” ment; green tech; urban farming; and hired by private companies. VA is also ensuring that at least aeronautics. About 330,000 Veterans Detroit is expected to see similar 4,000 Veterans have an opportunity are served by the city’s VA medical results, with more than 270 employers for training sessions, including resume center, and more than 704,000 Veter- from both the public and private sec- building, interview techniques and a ans live in Michigan. tors on hand with thousands of jobs job seekers boot camp. VA invites all interested people available and the capacity to conduct For Veterans registering and at- and businesses to attend. More infor- more than 3,000 interviews during the tending the open house, the Veterans mation is available at www. hiring fair. Benefits Administration will have nationalveteransconference.com for the “VA for Vets has been very suc- representatives from various benefit small business conference, and those cessful,” said Mary M. Santiago, direc- programs, including VA for Vets, My- seeking employment can register for tor of the Veteran Employment Ser- Career@VA and eBenefits, to provide the hiring fair and open house at vices Office. “Through our hiring fairs on-site services. A Veterans Business www.vaforvets.va.gov/Detroit. There is and virtual events, we have been able Center will be set up for attendees to a registration fee for those attending to extend tentative job offers to more print resumes and supporting materi- the Veterans Small Business Confer- than 1,000 veterans in the 10 months als, and a trained staff will be on hand ence; however, the hiring fair and since we stood up. These offers were to ensure every Veteran is served. open house are free for Veterans.

24 VAnguard • May/June 2012 Therapy Dogs: Helping Veterans Heal Four-legged treatment team members work with Veterans who have sustained injury, amputation or stroke.

n August 2011, Army Veteran goal of occupational therapy is to use until we get here,” she said. Ray Nevala was working in his everyday activity as therapy.” Jäger, a 7-year-old German Shep- vegetable garden behind his The idea of using Jäger in herd, has been an AAT-certified Ihome in Aurora, Minn., when he Nevala’s rehab program began a few animal for two and a half years. When tripped, fell backward and broke his months ago when a therapist was he walks through the halls, patients spinal cord. escorting him down the hospital hall- and staff are immediately drawn to For more than two hours, he lay way and he stopped his wheelchair him. Grant, staff and other volunteers between rows of carrots and green and reached out to touch Jäger. It was are quick to remind people that hand beans, staring at the sky, in 90-degree the first time that Nevala had moved hygiene is required for petting and heat. his arm to that degree since spinal participation in all animal visits. “I learned a lesson in the Army— cord surgery. “We’re protecting both patients don’t panic!” Nevala said. “When Recreation therapist Janelle and the dog from disease,” Grant ex- you’re in danger, stay calm.” But time Gustafson, who works at the SCI/D plained. “We must remember that he was running out as the sun comes here to work, not to beamed down. Nevala was play.” able to grab a carrot and Jäger and three other suck enough moisture from AAT dog teams have the vegetable to keep him been part of interdisciplin- hydrated. ary treatment teams on 4J Then he heard a neigh- at the Minneapolis VA bor’s car door slam. And through Recreation Therapy a few minutes later, a Do- for about two years. Since berman Pinscher (trained December 2011, they have as a service dog) was star- been working with Veterans ing down at Nevala. The on SCI/D as well. Therapy neighbors soon followed. dogs work with Veterans “No question about it,” said who have sustained a trau- Nevala, “that dog saved my matic brain injury, spinal life.” cord injury/disorder, ampu- Today, Nevala is re- tation or stroke. covering from spinal cord april eilers AAT is a goal-oriented surgery at the Minneapolis therapy session, while other Jäger relaxes before the start of a therapy session with Veteran Ray VA Spinal Cord Injury & Nevala and Occupational Therapist Mike Seabeck. therapy dog visits are la- Disorder, or SCI/D, Center. beled animal assisted activi- And he credits another dog—Jäger— Center, believed that a formalized ties. These visits are also for inpatients with helping him get his life back. program of animal assisted therapy, throughout the hospital; they are less Once a week, VA volunteers or AAT, might be a good way to en- goal-focused, but do achieve the goal Jäger and his master Dee Dee Grant hance Nevala’s recovery. “We view of lifting spirits and brightening the spend 30 minutes with Nevala work- recreation therapy as a way to im- day of patients. Both opportunities al- ing through a series of exercises de- prove function,” Gustafson said. low for petting, storytelling, reminisc- signed to improve his arm and upper Clearly, Jäger enjoys his job. ing and socialization. body strength. “Ray is building muscle When Grant puts on her khaki vest by rubbing, touching and reaching out and work pants at her home in Hud- By Ralph Heussner to the animal,” explained Occupa- son, Wis., Jäger knows exactly where Editor’s note: Ray Nevala has since tional Therapist Mike Seabeck. “The he is headed. “He whines in the car completed his therapy and returned home.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 25 Around Headquarters

Department Will Add 1,900 Mental Health Clinicians, Support Staff

VA will add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians, including nurses, psychia- trists, psychologists and social workers, as well as nearly 300 support staff, to its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff as part of an ongoing review of mental health operations. “As the tide of war re- cedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning Veterans,” said VA Secre- tary Eric K. Shinseki. “History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghani- stan have ended. As more Vet- erans return home, we must ensure that all Veterans have access to quality mental health robert turtil care.” VA’s ongoing comprehen- Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to 1.3 million Veterans. sive review of mental health operations has indicated that Evaluation System exams, VA ert Petzel. “Improving access grams and resources toward some facilities require more projected the additional need to mental health services will mental health services to serve mental health staff to serve the for 1,900 clinical and clerical help support the current and the growing number of Veter- growing needs of Veterans. VA mental health staff at this time. future Veterans who depend ans seeking mental health care is moving quickly to address As these increases are imple- on VA for these vital services.” from the Department. Last this top priority. mented, VA will continue to VA allocated funds from year, VA provided specialty Based on this model for assess staffing levels. the current budget to all 21 mental health services to 1.3 team delivery of outpatient “Mental health services Veterans Integrated Service million Veterans. mental health services, plus must be closely aligned with Networks, or VISNs, across Since 2009, VA has in- growth needs for the Veterans Veterans’ needs and fully inte- the country in April to begin creased the mental health care Crisis Line and anticipated grated with health care facility recruitment immediately. budget by 39 percent. Since increase in Compensation and operations,” said VA Under In recent years, VA has 2007, VA has seen a 35 per- Pension/Integrated Disability Secretary for Health Dr. Rob- devoted more people, pro- cent increase in the number of Veterans receiving mental health services, and a 41 percent increase in mental health National Cemetery Administration Realignment staff. The National Cemetery Administration recently realigned staff VA has enhanced services by integrating mental health offices and implemented new office codes. NCA’s new care into the primary care set- organization chart and mail codes are located on the Intranet at ting, developed an extensive suicide prevention program, vaww.nca.va.gov/ncaco_phone.asp. NCA’s office codes in VAIQ and increased the number have changed and all workflows and assignments were converted to of vet centers. The Veterans the new office codes. Please use NCA’s new office codes for VAIQ Crisis Line has received more than 600,000 calls, resulting in assignments and regular mail. more than 21,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.

26 VAnguard • May/June 2012 Around HeadquartersOUTLOOK

Joint VA/DOL Program Will Retrain 99,000 Unemployed Veterans

Unemployed Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 can now apply for new benefits to cover education costs for up to one year through a joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor program that focuses on retraining 99,000 Veterans for high-demand jobs. As part of a provision in the Veterans Opportunity to Work, or VOW, to Hire He- roes Act of 2011, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program, or VRAP, allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty rate, currently $1,473 per month. Veterans can apply for VRAP on a first-come, first- serve basis beginning May robert turtil 15, 2012, for programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012. The Veteran Retraining Assistance Program, or VRAP, allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of educational assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty rate. Assistance under this benefit program ends on March 31, VA-approved program of ability. For more information on 2014. education offered by a com- Upon completion, the VOW, VRAP, high demand To complete an applica- munity college or technical Labor Department will engage occupations, and how to ap- tion, a Veteran will need to school leading to an associate with participants within 30 ply, Veterans can go to the know his or her direct deposit degree, non-college degree or days after their training to help website at www.benefits.va.gov/ information (bank routing a certificate for a high-demand them find good jobs that use VOW or call VA’s call centers number and account number), occupation as defined by the their newly learned skills. toll free at 1-800-827-1000. the name and location of his Labor Department; “This is a true example of Veterans can also access the or her school, the program the n Not be eligible for any interagency collaboration and VRAP application online at Veteran wishes to pursue, and other VA education benefit we are committed to the full www.ebenefits.va.gov through the applicable high-demand program (e.g. Post-9/11 GI and speedy implementation eBenefits, a joint project of the occupation. Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, of this program to ensure the Departments of Defense and To qualify, Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and success of our Veterans in the Veterans Affairs. must: Employment); civilian labor market,” said Veterans are also encour- n Be 35-60 years old, unem- n Not be enrolled in a federal Ismael “Junior” Ortiz, deputy aged to visit the nearly 3,000 ployed on the day of applica- or state job-training program assistant secretary for the De- One-Stop Career Centers tion, and not dishonorably within the last 180 days; and partment of Labor’s Veterans across the nation for assistance discharged; n Not receive VA compensa- Employment Training Service. from staff, Local Veterans’ n Start education or train- tion at the 100 percent rate “We are working Employment Representatives, ing after July 1, 2012, in a due to individual unemploy- diligently with our partners or LVERS, and Disabled Vet- around the country to ensure erans’ Outreach Program, or our Veterans have access to DVOP, specialists. To find the More Information all the benefits and services center nearest them, Veterans For more on VOW, VRAP, high demand occupations, and to which they are entitled— can visit www.servicelocator.org. how to apply, Veterans can go to www.benefits.va.gov/ especially when it comes to For more information VOW. Veterans can also access the VRAP application those unemployed,” added VA about the Department of La- online through eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov. Under Secretary for Benefits bor’s Veterans programs, go to Allison A. Hickey. www.dol.gov/vets.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 27 Around Headquarters

VA to Deploy New Operating Model for Disability Claims

National deployment of claims expects to deploy the transfor- to move quickly through the implemented: transformation initiatives will mation plan to the remaining system and the more complex n Quality Review Teams, begin at 12 VA regional of- 40 regional offices throughout claims to be processed by VA’s which are composed of dedi- fices in the remaining months calendar year 2013. more experienced and skilled cated local quality review spe- of fiscal year 2012 to improve The major components of employees; cialists who will evaluate sta- benefits delivery to Veterans, the transformation plan that n Cross-Functional Teams, tion and individual employee families and their survivors. will be nationally deployed which support a case-man- performance and conduct “This is an important include: agement approach to claims in-process reviews to eliminate milestone in our transforma- n The Intake Processing processing that minimizes errors at the earliest possible tion to achieve the goal we es- Center, which adds a formal- rework and reduces processing stage. tablished in 2009 of processing ized process for triaging claims time; and n Simplified and Standard- all disability claims within 125 documents and other mail, n The Veterans Benefits Man- ized Rating Notification Let- days at a 98 percent accuracy and drives faster and more ac- agement System, which is a ters, which give Veterans one level in 2015,” said VA Secre- curate association of mail with new electronic claims process- simplified decision letter that tary Eric K. Shinseki. Veterans’ claims files; ing system that employs rules- provides notice of VA’s deci- The 12 regional offices n Segmented Processing based technologies to improve sion, including a summary of to begin the deployment of Lanes, which allow claims decision speed and quality. the evidence considered and the transformation initiatives that can be more easily rated VA has already nationally the reason for the decision. include: Huntington, W.Va.; Hartford, Conn.; Portland, Ore.; Houston; Cleveland; Tuskegee VA Medical Center is Now Listed Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Phoenix; New Orleans; on the National Register of Historic Places San Juan, Puerto Rico; At- lanta; and Newark, N.J. This On March 19, deployment follows four pilot the Secretary of programs at Indianapolis, the Interior add- Wichita, Kan., Milwaukee, ed Alabama’s and Fort Harrison, Mont., in Tuskegee VA 2012. Medical Center VA’s transformation plan to America’s is based on more than 40 National Regis- measures that were selected, ter of Historic evaluated, tested and measured Places. The ad- from more than 600 stake- dition is part holder and employee innova- of VA’s Second tion ideas. Generation Vet- “This national deploy- erans Hospitals ment, consisting of people, Study, con- process and technology initia- ducted under tives, follows comprehensive the National planning and testing to ensure Historic Preser- we have the right recipe for vation Act. success,” added Under Sec- The retary for Benefits Allison A. medical center courtesy of VHA History Office Hickey. opened under The Tuskegee staff in 1933. During the national the Veterans Bureau in 1923 as a unique combination of tuberculosis-neuropsychiatric hospital deployment, VA will further exclusively for African-American Veterans of World War I. Then-Veterans Bureau Administrator track and gauge the integrated Gen. Frank T. Hines made a historic decision to have the hospital staffed by African-American effects of the transformation doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. plan to reduce the backlog of The Second Generation study aims to document the government’s World War I-era Veter- disability claims and provide ans hospitals. Researchers visited 43 facilities over three years and, to date, 12 VA hospitals have Veterans, their families and been added to the National Register, including: Fayetteville, Ark.; Indianapolis; Chillicothe, Ohio; survivors with more timely and Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Lexington, Ky.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Knoxville, Iowa; Batavia and Canan- accurate claims decisions. VA daigua, N.Y.; and Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, and Montgomery, Ala.

28 VAnguard • May/June 2012 Around HeadquartersOUTLOOK

VA Learning University Launches Plain Language Writing Course

The VA Learning University tion’s Veterans,” said VALU must be taken first. Employees Learning Program: Building will kick off its Formal Writ- Dean Alice Muellerweiss. can take combinations of the Writing Skills (foundational); ing Using Plain Language “Whether developing exter- remaining 10 modules to meet Writing and Editing for Ac- course on July 31. The ad- nal communications to reach their organization’s needs. curacy (intermediate); and vanced-level course is designed Veterans or writing internally Modules cover topics Communicating Complex to help employees write more among VA employees, clear such as addressing data calls, Issues Clearly (intermediate/ effectively. It focuses on writ- and simple writing improves drafting memorandums, writ- advanced). ing complex documents such our services to all our custom- ing issue briefs, responding “The Written Com- as position papers, strategic ers. The ability to write effec- to congressional inquiries, munication Learning Pro- plans and grants so that they tively is also an essential skill at and more. Each of these four- gram guides employees on adhere to the Federal Plain all career levels.” hour instructor-led modules a journey to more effective Language Guidelines and VA Participants in the includes computer-based exer- writing that is easier for the writing standards. advanced-level Formal Writing cises, VA-specific scenarios and audience to understand,” said In addition to improving Using Plain Language course case studies, and advanced-lev- Muellerweiss. “The journey employees’ written commu- will use interactive exercises to el writing activities that relate begins with establishing a solid nications, the course will help practice writing specific types to participants’ work at VA. written communications foun- VA comply with the Plain of VA documents in plain “The modular design of dation, then progresses toward Writing Act of 2010, which language. All employees whose the Formal Writing Using mastery of more advanced requires government agencies responsibilities include writing Plain Language course is flex- writing skills that can be ap- to use plain language when or reviewing complex docu- ible so that participants can plied in VA’s efforts to provide communicating with the pub- ments should take this course. focus on their learning needs Veterans with high-quality lic. The act defines plain lan- Recognizing that em- and tailor their learning to drill services.” guage as “writing that is clear, ployees have different training down on topics that have the The Written Commu- concise, well-organized, and needs, the course is offered as most relevance to their work,” nication Learning Program is follows other best practices ap- 11 modules. The first mod- said Terik Hartz, VALU edu- just one of VALU’s six Career propriate to the subject or field ule, available as Web-based cation program specialist. and Technical Training learn- and intended audience.” training via the VA Talent To prepare participants ing programs. Each learning “Communicating in plain Management System, provides for the course, VALU offers program focuses on a core skill language is critical to meeting a two-hour comprehensive three other courses in the area and offers training that the changing needs of our na- overview of plain language and Written Communication meets VA’s requirements for that skill at three proficiency levels—foundational, interme- VA, DoD Secretaries Visit Joint Federal Health Care Facility diate and advanced. Course delivery includes a On Monday, May 21, mix of instructor-led training, Department of Veterans Web-based training, scenario- based simulations and e-books, Affairs Secretary Eric K. known as blended learning. Shinseki and Department The courses are directly tied to of Defense Secretary Leon core competencies that VA has E. Panetta toured the Cap- determined to be important tain James A. Lovell Fed- across all occupations and ca- eral Health Care Center in reer fields. North Chicago, Ill. For more information The facility is the first on plain language, visit www. of its kind to provide health plainlanguage.gov. Employ- care for active duty service ees who are interested in the members, retirees and Vet- Formal Writing Using Plain Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley Language course, or any of erans, bridging the gap be- the courses in the Career and tween DoD and VA needs. VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, left, and DoD Secretary Leon E. Technical Training learning The area tour included a Panetta flank former astronaut James A. Lovell, for whom the facility programs, should contact is named. visit with Navy recruits at their supervisors, Designated the USS Red Rover facility, which provides complete medical and dental examinations to Learning Officers or Learning all recruits prior to entering Great Lakes Recruit Training. Leaders.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 29 Medical Advances

Exposure to One IED Blast Could Cause Long-Term Impairment

Researchers from the VA ence of abnormal deposits of a Boston Healthcare System and protein called ‘tau’ throughout Boston University have discov- the brain. These tau lesions ered that exposure to a single eventually lead to brain cell blast from an improvised death.” explosive device, or IED, can McKee said CTE has produce early signs of chronic symptoms similar to traumatic traumatic encephalopathy, or brain injury, or TBI, includ- CTE, as well as the long-term ing memory loss and learning brain impairments that accom- deficits. pany the disease. Perhaps 20 percent of the “I don’t want people to 2.3 million servicemen and think this damage happens all women deployed since 2001 the time, to everyone exposed may have suffered a traumatic to an IED blast,” said Dr. Ann brain injury. McKee, who led the interna- “In our study, we per- tional study. “It might happen. formed comprehensive neu- It could happen.” ropathological analyses on McKee is director of Neu- brain tissue from four military ropathology Service at the VA service personnel with known New England Healthcare Sys- blast exposure, or concussive tem and a professor at Boston injury,” McKee explained. University School of Medicine. “We compared these re- She is also the director of the sults with brain tissue samples Brain Banks for Boston Uni- from three young amateur versity’s Alzheimer’s Disease American football players Center, as well as the Center and a professional wrestler, for the Study of Traumatic all of whom had a history Encephalopathy—all based at of repetitive concussive in- “We found that CTE neuropathology in the brains of blast-exposed the Bedford (Mass.) VA Medi- jury, and four samples from Veterans was similar to that found in young athletes with repetitive cal Center. Her co-lead on the comparably-aged normal indi- concussions,” said Dr. Ann McKee. Tim Barrett study was Dr. Lee Goldstein, viduals with no history of blast associate professor at Boston exposure, concussive injury, or University School of Medicine neurological disease. Center for Manufacturing a velocity of up to 330 miles and Boston University College “We found that CTE Innovation, University of Mas- per hour. of Engineering. neuropathology in the brains sachusetts Lowell, Lawrence “The force of the blast Their research, which of blast-exposed Veterans was Livermore National Labora- wind causes the head to move represents the first study of similar to that found in young tory, Massachusetts General so forcefully that it can result postmortem brains from U.S. athletes with repetitive concus- Hospital and the University of in damage to the brain,” she military personnel who were sions,” she continued. “Our Oxford. said. exposed to a blast or some oth- findings indicate that TBI “Our team’s experimental Based on their results, er concussion-causing injury, caused by different factors may data show that one blast com- McKee and her team went a was published online May 16 trigger similar disease pathways parable to that experienced by step further and explored how in Science Translational Medi- in the brain.” military personnel in the field they could prevent such brain cine. To examine the impact of resulted in both neuropatho- injuries. “We demonstrated “Chronic traumatic en- a single blast exposure, McKee logical and behavioral evidence that immobilizing the head cephalopathy, which can only and her fellow researchers col- of CTE,” McKee said. “And during a blast could prevent be diagnosed postmortem, is a laborated with leading experts surprisingly, the long-term the learning and memory defi- progressive neurodegenerative in blast physics, experimental impairments in brain function, cits associated with CTE,” she brain disorder that has been pathology and neurophysiol- including impaired learning said. “Now that we’ve identi- reported in athletes with mul- ogy at Boston University, the and memory, were observed fied the mechanism respon- tiple concussions, or subcon- VA Boston Healthcare System, just two weeks after exposure sible for CTE, we can work on cussive injuries,” said McKee. White River Junction (Vt.) VA to a single blast.” developing ways to prevent it “In its early stages, CTE Medical Center, New York McKee said the blast so that we can better protect is characterized by the pres- Medical College, Fraunhofer wind from an IED can reach our military personnel.”

30 VAnguard • May/June 2012 MedicalOUTLOOK Advances

Exposure to One IED Blast Could Cause Long-Term Impairment VA Researchers Find Eye Tremors May Be Early Sign of Parkinson’s

Eye tremors––persistent eye patients, whether on medica- tremors––appear to be com- tion or not, had persistent eye mon in people with Parkin- tremors that prevented them son’s disease, according to a from keeping their eyes stable VA study published online while following the target,” April 9 in the journal Archives Gitchel said. “Only two people of Neurology. in the ‘healthy’ group had this “Our findings suggest problem.” that eye tracking, or precisely Eye tremors and stabil- recording the movements of a ity problems occurred even in person’s eyes, could potentially Parkinson’s patients on medi- help to provide a very early cation, the study revealed, sug- diagnosis of Parkinson’s dis- gesting the eye tremors were ease,” said George Gitchel, of not caused by medication, but the Southeast Parkinson’s Dis- by the disease. ease Research, Education, and “We do know that people george gitchel Clinical Center at the Hunter often complain of blurred vi- VA Research Health Specialist George Gitchel uses highly sensitive Holmes McGuire VA Medical sion with Parkinson’s disease, cameras along with infrared light to track a subject’s eye movements. Center in Richmond, Va. but no one’s been able to ex- For their case-control plain why,” said Dr. Mark S. he noted. and high enough frequency study, Gitchel and his fellow Baron, of the VA medical cen- “An accurate screening that an eye-tracking device is researchers tested oculomotor ter in Richmond. “We believe test could be key to identifying required to observe and record function in 112 Parkinson’s eye tremor is probably a major who could benefit from treat- them. That said, an accurate patients and 60 healthy indi- reason.” ment as new options are devel- eye tracker, like the one used viduals by having them track Baron said sensitive eye oped that can slow progression in our study, is able to detect a moving target on a com- tracking holds enormous po- of the disease.” and quantify movements that puter screen. The eye tracking tential for early and accurate Gitchel agreed. “I think are otherwise hidden from the equipment used in the study detection of Parkinson’s. one of the major points here is clinician. was a pair of highly sensitive “As a simple screening that these eye movements are “One of the most exciting cameras, along with infrared test, it could be nearly 100 not visible outwardly to a cli- things about this research,” he light to illuminate the eye and percent accurate, whereas even nician, and most likely would continued, “is the ability to then follow the center of the specialists are wrong in diag- not even be seen by an oph- objectively quantify and clas- dark pupil as it followed the nosing Parkinson’s about 15 thalmologist during a routine sify a patient’s symptoms, as target. percent of the time when they exam. These ocular tremors opposed to a purely subjective “All 112 Parkinson’s first see someone with tremor,” are of such small magnitude clinical exam.”

‘Brain Freeze’ Headaches May Point to a Cure for Migraines

The “brain freeze” headache lated Illness and Injury Study they alerted us. We were then then quick constriction of the you get when you gulp down Center in East Orange. able to pinpoint changes in anterior cerebral artery may be your ice cream too fast may “In our study,” he con- their brain blood flow at those a defense mechanism the brain be caused by a sudden change tinued, “we monitored brain precise moments.” uses to protect itself from sud- in the flow of blood to your blood flow in 27 healthy Serrador said the study, den cold,” Serrador said. “The brain, according to VA re- adults as they sipped ice water conducted jointly by VA and brain is fairly sensitive to tem- searchers. through a straw pressed against Harvard Medical School, perature, so expanding blood “Understanding the brain the upper palate so as to trig- indicates that such headaches vessels might be the brain’s freeze phenomenon could help ger ‘brain freeze.’ We moni- occur following a sudden way of staying warm. When us figure out how to prevent tored their brain blood flow increase in blood flow in the blood vessels dilate, blood gets other kinds of headaches, like using transcranial Doppler, brain’s anterior cerebral ar- to the brain quicker. migraines,” said Dr. Jorge Ser- which can sense changes in tery, and that the brain freeze “The skull is a closed rador, associate director for arterial blood flow. As soon as headache goes away when the structure,” he continued. “The research at the VA New Jersey our volunteers experienced and artery constricts. sudden rush of blood might Health Care System’s War Re- then recovered from a freeze, “This rapid dilation and (continued on page 32)

VAnguard • May/June 2012 31 Medical Advances

Two Veterans at Dayton VA Receive State-of-the-Art Bionic Ankles

On April 25, two Veterans arrived at the Dayton (Ohio) VA Medical Center to be fitted with the BiOM bionic ankle system—a unique piece of cutting-edge technology that actually mimics the human body and allows an amputee to walk almost normally. “The ankle system even contains a battery and a motor to help return some of the energy expended by the amputee while walking,” explained Tim Shafer, the VA prosthetist who outfitted the Veterans with their new BiOM ankles. “It mimics what our feet do when we walk. It conforms to the ground underneath you, then gives you some energy back, pushing you forward.” The BiOM bionic ankle ray kummer system is made by a company Veterans John Powers and Larry Draughn test out their new bionic ankles on the grounds of the Dayton called iWALK. (Ohio) VA Medical Center. The two Veterans fitted with the bionic ankles are omy in the calf muscle and and to gather data while the replicate muscles and tendons 51-year-old John Powers and Achilles tendon,” said John two men tried out their new that replace the action of the 24-year-old Larry Draughn. Warren, a prosthetist with equipment. He noted that tra- ankle, thus returning the ankle Both are former Marines. iWalk. “It’s the first device ditional prosthetic feet made to near human function so Powers lost part of his left leg that is scientifically proven to of carbon fiber only return up that users can react immedi- in a 1998 motorcycle accident. normalize walking for lower- to 50 percent of the anatomi- ately to changes in terrain and Draughn lost part of both legs limb amputees—that is, at the cal ankle/foot function; not so environment. The ankle is in 2009 when he stepped on same speed, and with the same with the BiOM ankle. reflexive, which is exactly how an improvised explosive device metabolic energy, as their peers “The BiOM produces real feet and ankles work.” in Afghanistan. with intact biological limbs.” energy that enables the user to Each BiOM system costs “The BiOM is the world’s Warren was on hand to feel less fatigue when using the VA about $40,000. first bionic ankle system that help program the bionic ankle system,” he explained. “This The system is currently uses robotics to restore the systems once the two former bionic ankle system reacts in being made available in several function of the missing anat- Marines were wearing them, stance phase using robotics to locations across the country.

Brain Freeze (cont.) increase internal pressure and observed during “brain freeze” these kinds of headaches.” Study Center suffer with head- cause pain. Then the artery could be associated with other “Headaches are a com- aches.” constricts again to slow the in- types of headaches, like mi- mon complaint among pa- Serrador and his col- creased blood flow. This may graines and post-traumatic tients,” said Melissa Blatt, leagues presented their findings be the brain’s way of reducing headaches. a VA research nurse who April 22 at the Experimental that sudden pressure before it “If further research con- worked on the brain freeze Biology 2012 meeting in San reaches a dangerous level.” firms this to be true,” he said, study with Serrador. “In fact, Diego, an annual gathering Serrador, who led the “then finding ways to safely approximately 24 percent of that brings together 12,000 study, said blood flow changes control brain blood flow might the Veterans we see here at the researchers from six scientific in the brain similar to those lead us to new treatments for War Related Illness and Injury societies.

32 VAnguard • May/June 2012 HaveOUTLOOK You Heard

Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team Main VA Hits a Home Run With Arizona Patients Facebook Page The Wounded Warrior Am- Surpasses putee Softball Team recently 200,000 ‘Fans’ took time out of their busy The primary Facebook schedules to visit inpatients page for the Depart- at the Southern Arizona VA ment of Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Tuc- has amassed more than son. The team, all combat 200,000 “fans,” increasing Veterans who lost limbs during tours in Iraq or Afghani- the Department’s ability stan, came to the medical cen- to communicate directly ter with the main purpose of with Veterans across the thanking Veterans from past nation. wars for their patriotism and Nicole Thurston The milestone was military service. Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center inpatient and World War achieved less than three The team’s players and II Army Veteran Julia Ray, 93, hugs a Wounded Warrior Amputee years after the creation coaches talked about baseball, Softball Team player, thanking him for his service in Iraq, as other players look on. of VA’s Office of Online and their military experiences, Communications, which with inpatients from the Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center, family members, volunteers oversees all social media and employees. After their visit with the Community Living Center inpatients, the team was given programs. The office has a short tour of the Prosthetics section, where they learned of the new technology now available. The next evening, the team played, and won, against the University of Arizona Women’s Softball been led by Brandon Alumni Team, proving that through extensive rehabilitation and training, “life without a limb is Friedman since its incep- limitless.” tion in August 2009, and was launched as part of the President’s directive that agencies create such Durham VAMC Staff organizations in support Enhance Their Military of the administration’s Cultural Awareness “Open Government” plan. Thirty employees from North VA has more than Carolina’s Durham VA Medi- 150 Facebook pages, cal Center took a hands-on ap- most of which belong to proach to their recent Military individual VA medical Cultural Awareness training. centers, with a combined First step: the interactive, on- subscribership of more line Military Cultural Aware- than 440,000 fans. In ad- ness training course. “The dition to Facebook, VA training explained military culture from ground zero,” maintains an extensive said Durham VAMC Public social media presence Affairs Officer Pete Tillman. with 70 Twitter feeds, “In Jeopardy-style format, staff Ed Kubacki the VAntage Point blog, learned about military branch- a YouTube channel with Durham VAMC employees board a KC-135 Stratotanker while touring es, ranks and conflicts.” Seymour Johnson AFB. While on board, they learned about the aerial more than 400 videos, and Next, the group partici- refueling capabilities required to support global operations. a Flickr page containing pated in several roundtable dis- more than 12,000 photos. cussions, with Veteran panelists responding to questions like “Tell me about the day you enlisted” To access and con- and “Why did you choose that branch of service?” Since most of the employees were not Veterans, nect to VA’s social media a special tour of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was arranged for the group to see firsthand how sites, visit the social the military operates. “By stepping back from looking at Veterans as patients, and learning to look at them as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and friends, the staff gained valuable insights about media directory at www. the sacrifices of all of the brave people that served,” said Tillman. va.gov/opa/socialmedia. asp.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 33 Have You Heard

A Flag’s Journey from Iraq to a Los Angeles Volunteer Barber Florida CBOC A special flag that was flown in Iraq has made its way to Los Angeles and Scrapbooks now resides in the trailer that serves as Focus on a mobile barbershop on the grounds of Patient-Centric the VA Greater Los Angeles Health- Care care System. Tony Bravo, known on With more than campus as “Dreamer,” is a Vietnam- 20,000 Veterans cur- era Veteran who for the last five years rently receiving care has voluntarily provided free haircuts at VA’s Commu- to Veterans there. nity Based Outpatient VA Greater Los Angeles employee Clinic in Bradenton, and Marine Corps Veteran Edward Fla., the clinic’s goal M. Montgomery often walked by is to make VA health Dreamer’s shop and wondered how he care more patient- could thank him for his services. After centric. One way consulting with his co-worker and they’ve done that is by Army veteran Ken Gaines, they came compiling a scrapbook up with the idea of getting Dreamer with pictures and an American flag for his barbershop stories of the Veterans trailer. who visit the clinic. Last July, Gaines put out a “Battle Each page is dedi- Cry” on Facebook and two hours paula berger cated to a Veteran, later, Army active-duty member Alex- Tony Bravo offers free haircuts for Veterans in his with a brief synopsis of andra Bowers replied. The flag, flown mobile barbershop on the grounds of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. their time in service. over a base near Al Asad Airbase, the Patients are encour- largest U.S. military airbase in Iraq, aged to bring in copies was presented to Dreamer on April 3. of their photos and memories to add to the book. Alabama Veteran Due to an over- Receives POW Medal whelming response, 67 Years Late the scrapbook soon In May of 1945, Sgt. Marion became too large. Fowler and his entire platoon Thanks to local Vet- were captured by German eran service volunteers, SS troops outside Eferding, new scrapbooks, each Austria. Three times in one dedicated to a branch day, they were placed in front of service, were pur- of a firing squad before finally chased. being released after a German- speaking soldier in Fowler’s The scrapbooks, platoon brokered a deal. with covers construct- Nearly 67 years later, ed from military uni- Fowler received his official april jones forms for each branch, Prisoner of War Medal in a Sgt. Marion Fowler returns the salute given to him by Col. Carlos are kept in a waiting ceremony March 13 hosted by Berry, Tuscaloosa VA physician, after Berry pinned the POW Medal area for patients to the Tuscaloosa (Ala.) VA Med- on Fowler’s jacket. view. Often, patients ical Center. More than 300 recognize a fellow friends, family members, Veterans and VA staff were in attendance as Fowler’s medal was pinned Veteran they may have on his jacket. A few years ago, Fowler’s grandson started looking into why the medal was delayed served with or who for so long, later discovering it was because of an oversight in paperwork. After several phone calls lives close by. and emails, the process was expedited and Fowler received his medal within two weeks. Fowler, 89, entered the Army in 1942, later seeing combat in France, Germany and Austria.

34 VAnguard • May/June 2012 HaveOUTLOOK You Heard

A Place of Healing and Remembrance A Memorial Wall honor- New Program Allows ing New Hampshire’s fallen Veterans to Heal service members of Iraq and Through Hockey Afghanistan was recently Veterans in the Buf- dedicated at the Manchester falo, N.Y., area are VA Medical Center. Lester using sled hockey and Durgin, Vietnam Veteran and traditional stand-up Gold Star father of Sgt. Russell Durgin, made the suggestion hockey for physical to VAMC leadership to ar- and emotional reha- range photos of the fallen in a bilitation––a develop- main hallway of the medical ment that came about center. stella lareau thanks to a recreation Representatives from The Manchester VA Medical Center’s Memorial Wall honors New therapy program of- Voluntary Service, Chaplain Hampshire’s fallen service members of Operations Enduring Service, the OEF/OIF/OND Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. fered through the VA Program and Facilities Man- Western New York agement worked with Gold Star family members and volunteers to design a fitting tribute. “It Health Care System. took two-and-a-half years to research, contact the families, design and assemble the collection of A total of portraits,” said Debra Krinsky, chief of Voluntary Service. “It was truly a labor of love for every- $90,000 per year for one that worked on this project. When you first walk through the hall, it can be overwhelming. It leaves a powerful impression.” A quote from Daniel Webster hangs above the portraits: “ … yet the next three years will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.” has been committed According to facility Public Affairs Officer Stella Lareau, “The best thing about the Wall is to the program by that people aren’t forgetting. The mother of one Veteran whose picture is on the wall works at the three VA partners: medical center. Every day she visits her son’s picture and tells him, ‘Good Morning.’ She knows the National Hockey that her son won’t be forgotten.” League Buffalo Sa- bres; the Buffalo Sa- Cancer Patient Rides to Raise bres Foundation; and Money for Charity National Fuel. Do- Fred H. Carter, a 51-year-old Veteran nated money pays for who has undergone chemotherapy treat- equipment, uniforms, ments at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA ice time, and tourna- Medical Center in Richmond, Va., for his ment and travel costs. stage four stomach cancer, embarked from Petersburg, Va., with his wife, Rhonda, on Veterans partici- a motorcycle trip that will take them to the pating in the on-ice four corners of America. They began the activities range in age trip on May 18, their 27th wedding anni- from early 20s to late versary. Also diagnosed with a primary im- 60s. Since its incep- mune deficiency and treated with monthly antibody infusions, Carter says he is “hav- tion last fall, more ing more good days than bad ones lately.” than 75 Veterans Dubbing their journey the “Bucket have participated in List Ride,” Carter is using the trip to pro- the program. A plan mote cancer research by raising money for steve wilkins is in place to create the Stand Up to Cancer charity. According more teams based on to Carter, “Life gets pretty interesting when Fred H. Carter and wife Rhonda dubbed their journey the “Bucket List Ride.” the future gets smaller.” Concerned with their level of ability, getting the most out of the time he has left, and also doing as much as he can for others, he adds, and a full schedule of “the team I started with SU2C is called My Bucket List Ride (key word Bucket List), and we’ve practices and games raised over $1,700 so far.” is expected for the Ever the optimist, Carter sums up his outlook with the comment, “As always, life is still good, 2012-2013 season. and I’m doing my best to live it well.”

VAnguard • May/June 2012 35 Honors

VA Nurse Receives TB Hero Award VA for Vets Video Nancy O’Neil, a licensed prac- Honored With Four tical nurse with the VA Boston Advertising Awards Healthcare System, recently re- VA’s high-tech platform ceived the TB Hero Award at to help Veterans find the 2012 World No TB Day jobs, VA for Vets, earned event, held at the Massachu- top accolades from the setts State House in Boston. advertising industry for “I enjoy the work I do as a TB a recruitment video that screening coordinator,” O’Neil paid tribute to the nation’s said. “I get to meet many of military. our employees and volunteers, The Web Marketing from many diverse cultures, Association recognized and answer their questions courtesy of Massachusetts State House the recruitment video, regarding the elimination and “A Tradition of Serving control of TB. I don’t do this Nancy O’Neil is the recipient of the TB Hero Award. Those Who Serve,” with work alone. I’m privileged to awards in three categories: work with a dedicated team of occupational health providers who take their responsibilities very “Best Employment Online seriously.” Video,” “Best Govern- TB remains among the most significant infectious killers of adults in the world and can be ment Online Video” and transmitted simply by breathing in the vicinity of a person with the contagious form of the disease. “Best Government Online “Because of her efforts, we have a 25 percent compliance increase in our TB screening program,” Ad.” In addition, the 2012 said Nancy Gendreau, an occupational health nurse practitioner with the VA Boston Healthcare Telly Awards recognized System. “Nancy understands how important her role is in helping to protect the health of the the video with the Bronze 5,000 employees of the VA Boston Healthcare System and, consequently, the health of our Vet- Telly for Recruitment. eran patients.” The World No TB Day event was hosted by the Medical Advisory Committee for The Web Market- the Elimination of Tuberculosis. ing Association’s Internet Advertising Competition Awards were established to recognize outstanding on- Lovell FHCC Employee Named line advertising and public Childhood Immunization Champion relations in its various The Illinois Department of Public Health se- forms. The Telly Award, lected Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health founded in 1979, honors Care Center’s Rosalinda DeJesus as Illinois’ first local, regional and cable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention TV commercials, programs Childhood Immunization Champion. “It was so and segments, as well as amazing just to be nominated for this award,” online videos, programs said DeJesus, who has been a health technician and commercials. with the federal government for five years. “But, “To receive recogni- to be selected among all the passionate and tal- tion from the top minds in ented health technicians in the nation is truly the field of online advertis- overwhelming.” ing is a true honor and a The Illinois Centers for Disease Control testament to the success explained that the CDC Childhood Immuniza- of VA for Vets in the tion Champion Award is a new annual award months since the program to honor individuals who make a significant was launched last Veterans contribution toward improving public health Day,” said Assistant Secre- through their work in childhood immuniza- tary for Human Resources tion. “Rosalinda DeJesus is admired by her co- and Administration John workers, physicians and patients,” said Illinois U. Sepúlveda. Department of Public Health Acting Director jonathan friedman To view the award- Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck. “Rosalinda DeJesus is Navy Capt. Jamie Kersten, Lovell FHCC associate winning video, visit: an inspiration to all of us who care passionately director of Fleet Medicine, congratulates Lovell vaforvets.va.gov/employees/ FHCC Health Technician Rosalinda DeJesus for about children’s health in Illinois, and we are being selected as Illinois’ first Centers for Disease resources/pages/videocenter. pleased and honored to congratulate her on this Control and Prevention Childhood Immunization aspx?Vid=19. well-deserved award.” Champion.

36 VAnguard • May/June 2012 OUTLOOKHonors

VA Pharmacy Services Recognized as J.D. Power Customer Youth Volunteer Service Champion Awarded VA’s pharmacy program is one Scholarship of only 50 companies in the Eighteen-year-old Eliza- United States to receive the beth Leneski has been J.D. Power 2012 Customer volunteering at the VA Service Champion designa- medical center in Ann Ar- tion. “In fiscal year 2011, VA bor, Mich., since she was pharmacies filled over 139 4 years old. “Well, I didn’t million outpatient prescrip- actually get registered tions for 4.74 million unique as a volunteer until I was patients,” said Kenneth Siehr, director of operations for VA’s 10,” the graduating high Consolidated Mail Outpatient school senior said, “but I Program. “Approximately 23 courtesy of VHA Communications started coming here with million of those prescriptions In fiscal year 2011, VA pharmacies filled more than 139 million my mom when I was 4. were filled at VA medical outpatient prescriptions for 4.74 million unique patients. So this place is kind of center pharmacies, while the like my second home. remaining 116 million prescriptions were filled using VA mail-order pharmacy services.” Everybody here watched To qualify as a J.D. Power Customer Service Champion, companies must excel not only me grow up. We’re like a within their own industries, but also among leading brands in other major industries. The Cus- big family.” tomer Service Champion designation is based on customer feedback, opinions and perceptions Elizabeth, or “Lizzie,” gathered from J.D. Power’s syndicated research conducted across 15 distinct business-to-consumer as she is known, has industries. Companies recognized as Customer Service Champions are among the top 5 percent of more than 800 brands based on performance. racked up more than “Our pharmacy program was noted as outperforming in the areas of presentation and price 1,200 volunteer hours at compared to the average scores for the other 2012 Champions,” Siehr explained. “And overall, the medical center, doing VA’s mail-order pharmacy services received a score of 876 out of 1,000. We’re quite proud of everything from answer- that.” ing phones to helping organize Hawaiian luaus and other entertainment programs for patients. Houston Doctor Receives Last year, she coordi- Prestigious Award nated the summer youth The editors of the Journal of program for almost 60 the American College of Cardi- students. ology honored Blase A. Cara- Her achievements bello, M.D., with the Simon were recognized ear- Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship at their editorial lier this year when she board meeting in Chicago. received the James H. The Simon Dack Award, Parke Memorial Youth named for the founding edi- Scholarship Award, tor of the cardiology journal, which puts $20,000 to- recognizes peer reviewers who ward her college educa- assist the journal in its mission tion. She was honored at of publishing important new the Parke Award Banquet clinical information. March 14 in Charleston, Listed as one of the best S.C. Her mother, Beverly doctors in the nation in the bobbi gruner Leneski, serves as chief field of cardiovascular disease by the medical knowledge Dr. Blase A. Carabello talks with Army Veteran Truman Hester. of Voluntary and Chaplain company Best Doctors Inc., Carabello is the Moncrief Professor of Medicine and vice chairman in Services for the VA Ann the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a founding member and immedi- Arbor Healthcare System. ate past president of the Society for Heart Valve Disease. He also holds memberships in the Ameri- can Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Federation for Clinical Research.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 37 Honors

Milwaukee VAMC Employees Earn Postal Awards HHS Secretary The U.S. Postal Service delivered good news Names VA Doc to National Advisory to two longtime Milwaukee VA Medical Council Center employees—naming them two of 14 Dr. Craig J. McClain, women who have put their “Stamp on Metro chief of gastroenterol- Milwaukee.” ogy at the Robley Rex Darcie Greuel, a case manager for Iraq VA Medical Center in and Afghanistan Veterans, won in the Mili- Louisville, Ky., and a tary Service Category, while Sonia Dumit- professor of medicine Minkel, the senior staff physical therapist, and pharmacology & took top honors in the Health and Social toxicology at the Uni- Services Category. Now in its 14th year, the versity of Louisville Postal Service program presents the awards School of Medicine, is one of four new each March to coincide with Women’s His- kathryn lieske/U.S. Postal Service members appointed by tory Month. Health and Human Greuel, a captain in the Army Reserve Services Secretary Kath- with more than 27 years of service, was leen Sebelius to the Na- deployed to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004 tional Advisory Council and is currently the commander of the 548th on Alcohol Abuse and Minimal Care Detachment Unit based in Alcoholism. Madison, Wis. McClain is an Dumit-Minkel specializes in rehabilita- internationally known tion medicine and has been a trailblazer in clinician-scientist in her field. She has been nationally published the fields of gastro- for her work in wound care studies, received enterology, alcoholic liver disease, nutrition the Clinical Excellence Award in 2010 from and infectious diseases. the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association He serves as chief of and was Employee of the Year for 2010 at the Research Affairs in the Milwaukee VA. University of Louis- Darcie Greuel, top, a case manager for Iraq and ville’s Division of Gas- Afghanistan Veterans, and Sonia Dumit-Minkel, senior troenterology, Hepatol- staff physical therapist, were named two of 14 women ogy, and Nutrition; who have put their “Stamp on Metro Milwaukee.” kathryn lieske/U.S. Postal Service Distinguished Univer- sity Scholar; and associate vice president for ‘Best of the Best’ VA Investigators Honored During Research Week translational research. To recognize the outstanding work of VA investigators, and to promote excellence The council advises throughout the entire research community, VA Research has established a series of awards Sebelius and the direc- that honor the “best of the best” in the Department. tors of the National The recipients of these awards for 2012 are: Elizabeth Yano, Ph.D., awarded the Institutes of Health 2012 Under Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievements in Health Services Re- and National Institute search; Fred D. Finkelman, M.D., the 2012 recipient of the William S. Middleton Award on Alcohol Abuse and for outstanding achievement in biomedical or behavioral research; Barry M. Massie, Alcoholism on program M.D., and Murray A. Raskind, M.D., joint recipients of the 2012 John Blair Barnwell and policy matters, of- Award for outstanding achievement in clinical science; and Joseph M. Czernicki, M.D., fers recommendations awarded the Paul B. Magnuson Award, which is presented annually to a VA Research Re- on research and reviews habilitation and Development investigator. applications for grants The awards were presented as part of VA Research Week activities in VA Central Of- and cooperative agree- fice on April 26. ments.

38 VAnguard • May/June 2012 OUTLOOKHeroes

Milwaukee Radiology VA Nurse Saves Woman Technicians Save Baby Choking in Restaurant Milwaukee VA Medical Cen- Teresa Capecchi, of the Min- ter employees Sheri Gilson and neapolis VA Medical Center, Catherine Giannese have been was having lunch with some friends for a long time and do co-workers at a local Chinese a lot together. They went to restaurant when a person from school together, work as radi- the next table shouted, “Does ology technicians together, and anyone know the Heimlich? even go on breaks together. My friend is choking!” Recently, they saved a baby’s Capecchi, a registered life together. nurse, was the first to respond Gilson and Giannese were by asking the woman to stand outside the Milwaukee VA’s and if she was indeed choking. South Entrance when a man The woman nodded “yes” and came out of the house across Capecchi asked if she needed the street screaming. “Then gary j. kunich to have the Heimlich maneu- he ran back in the house and ver performed. The woman came out carrying a baby,” Sheri Gilson, left, and Catherine Giannese, radiology technicians at again nodded “yes.” Capecchi the Milwaukee VA, were on break when they heard a man screaming Gilson said. “We heard him across the street. Their quick actions saved a baby’s life. then performed the Heimlich yell, ‘Help me! Lord Jesus, maneuver several times, dis- help me!’” Giannese said. “We flew across the street.” lodging the food. Giannese already had a 911 operator on her cell phone as her friend helped the two navigate through traffic. “We got to the man and the baby was just dangling there, not breathing, and it looked like his eyes were rolling back in his head. The man said he had been in the crib and he just found him.” That’s when Gilson’s required CPR training came into play. “I turned the baby over and whacked his back, I don’t know how many times. I’m thinking, ‘Dear God, this baby cannot die in my arms,’” Gilson said. “All of a sudden, he just took a gasp of breath.” Gilson and Giannese waited for the ambulance to arrive and tried to reassure the worried dad.

Telehealth Technician Donna Bell considers her life- Makes a House Call saving efforts on behalf of her There’s nothing like relaxing neighbor, Robert Wilson, “my on the couch on a Sunday eve- best day as a nurse.” ning, resting up for the work week—until a neighbor bursts through your back door yell- ing for help. Licensed Practi- cal Nurse Donna Bell was in Teresa Capecchi that very position on the third Sunday in March when her “Throughout this emer- neighbor told her that another gency, Teresa was calm and neighbor was in need of medi- skillful,” said clinic manager cal attention. Lori Baier. “Both the woman The telehealth technician who was choking and her at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medi- carol wilson friend were very grateful for cal Center in Saginaw, Mich., her help.” It was the first time sprinted barefoot across the Capecchi had used Heimlich street, where she was quickly ushered into the kitchen to find Veteran Robert Wilson on the floor, training in a real-life situa- staring blankly up at the ceiling and gasping for air. “After approximately 2 to 3 minutes, he was tion. “I’m just glad everything still unresponsive, had stopped breathing and had no pulse,” Bell recalled. “I started CPR and per- turned out all right,” said formed it for one minute until he started breathing again and had a pulse. I continued to encour- Capecchi, who has been a VA age him to breathe and monitored his pulse and respirations until the EMTs arrived 3 or 4 min- nurse for almost three years utes later.” From there, the EMTs took over defibrillating the patient and repeating CPR before he and encourages all VA staff to was admitted to a local hospital. Wilson’s prognosis was grim for several days, but he finally took have CPR and first aid train- a turn for the better and eventually went home. A few days later, Bell visited Wilson and his wife, ing, in case they find them- Carol, who hugged and thanked her for her lifesaving efforts. selves in a similar situation.

VAnguard • May/June 2012 39 ‘Flags In’ Soldiers from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) placed more than 220,000 American flags before gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery just prior to Memorial Day weekend. Every available soldier participates in the decades-old tradition, centering the small flags one foot in front of each grave marker. The process takes about three hours.

Robert Turtil