FALL 2016 VA New England Healthcare System VETERANShealthy living' Serving ALL Saving Lives with Who Served NARCAN Training Helping Veterans Move Forward A Message from the Network Director Michael Mayo-Smith, MD, MPH Network Director

Veterans’ Healthy Living Dear Veterans, EDITORIAL BOARD Maureen Heard Fall is always a great time to sit back and reflect on what’s been VISN 1 Chief Communications accomplished in the past year. Here at VISN 1, we’re proud of the Officer / Public Affairs Officer ways we’re taking health care to the next level for Veterans – and Carol Sobel making that care accessible to all those within our reach. VISN 1 Public Affairs Specialist WEBSITE: www.newengland.va.gov

On page 3, learn about the new Bedford Green apartments built right on Veterans’ Healthy Living is published as a the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital campus. This is just one of patient education service by VA New England Healthcare System. The publication is intended the many ways we’re keeping our promise to end Veteran homelessness. to provide information to help you maintain good health and learn about the many health We are continuing in our commitment to deliver the best care services available through VA. This publication is not intended as a substitute for professional for Veterans. We’re proud to announce that the VA New England medical advice, which should be obtained from Healthcare System has achieved a five-star SAIL health care your VA health care provider. All articles may be quality rating – showing we’re succeeding in our quest to provide reproduced for educational purposes. outstanding care and customer service (page 3). ON THE COVER: Veterans march in the annual Boston Our VA Police go above and beyond to protect everyone who visits Pride Parade on June 11, 2016. This year’s our health care campuses. Read on page 4 and 5 about how the theme was “Solidarity Through Pride.” VA Police throughout VISN 1 participate in training opportunities The Boston parade drew an estimated that help them respond to situations involving mental illness, drug 500,000 spectators, 35,000 marchers, 257 contingents and 28 floats – some addiction and PTSD. of the best participation the parade has ever had. We are dedicated to serving every Veteran, and that includes those who are part of the LGBT community. VISN 1 recently received high marks from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, and we’ve been recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.” Read more about our achievements on page 6. And, read about one LGBT Veteran’s story in how the care he’s received within VISN 1 has made a positive difference in his life. www.myhealth.va. gov Lastly, when Veterans return home, sometimes they need a strong helping hand to help them transition to the next stage of their lives. Read more on page 7 about how VISN 1 offers a variety of educational and employment services to help Veterans pursue their dreams. Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you! VA MISSION: Honor America’s Veterans by Michael Mayo-Smith, MD, MPH providing exceptional health Network Director care that improves their health and well-being.

2 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Fall 2016 VISN 1 in Top New, Safe Housing 10% of VA for Homeless Health Care Systems

Veterans The VISN 1 health care systems are being recognized as some of the best in the VA nationally. Recently, VISN 1 achieved a 5-star status in Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) metrics. SAIL is a Department of Affairs initiative to measure the health care quality of each hospital, such as mortality rates, infection rates and patient satisfaction. This status places VISN 1 in the top 10 percent of VA health care systems nationwide.

Bottom line: VA patients in the Betsy Collins of Peabody Properties, Inc. cuts the ribbon at the Grand Opening New England Health Care System Ceremony on July 21 for the new Bedford Green apartments on the Bedford VA’s are getting excellent care. Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital campus. She’s joined by other Bedford Green partners whose contributions helped to make the complex a reality. Much of this success comes down to the staff at each VISN 1 medical Ending Veteran homelessness A grand opening ceremony facility. Each person strives daily has been a top priority for for the four-acre apartment to deliver top-notch service and Veterans Affairs for many complex took place on July patient-centered care to all those years, and the VA has made 21. Bedford Green provides they serve. They are focused on great strides toward that 69 furnished one-bedroom removing all barriers to excellent goal. In fact, the number apartment homes for customer service. of homeless Veterans has homeless Veterans and those decreased greatly since 2009. at-risk for homelessness, 55 “I want to congratulate all of years and older. you in the VA New England The new Bedford Green Healthcare System for achieving apartments built at the In addition to the apartments, such great results in SAIL,” says Bedford VA’s Edith Nourse the Veteran residents also Dr. David Shulkin, VA Under Rogers Memorial Hospital is have direct access to support Secretary for Health. “That’s just one of the ways the VA is services. That includes on-site not easy to do, and it’s really continuing that commitment VA case managers, as well as indicative of having a great focus to help all Veterans find safe medical, clinical and well­ on quality.” housing. being services.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 3 VA Police Save Lives with NARCAN Training The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 165,000 people died from opiate (also referred to as opioid) overdoses between 1999 and 2014. And, this disturbing trend continues to shoot upward. Massachusetts has been hit particularly hard by the epidemic. In 2015, 1,319 people died of opiate-related deaths, making it the leading cause of accidental death in that state.

VA Police from around VISN 1 use every resource available to ensure The Problem each VA campus is a safe place for anyone who visits. Opiates (i.e., morphine, codeine, fentanyl, etc.) are a class of drugs that very effectively manage A Unique Solution Since the program launched, pain. These drugs can do a lot of Nasal naloxone (NARCAN®) is VA Boston has dispensed 660 good for patients struggling with used to counteract these opiate prescriptions for naloxone. They pain, but they are also highly overdoses, essentially reversing have documented 71 overdose addictive. them. In 2014, Alan Kershaw, reversals. And, six of those Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, reversals happened with VA If not controlled, an addiction Brockton campus of VA Boston, Police assistance. could form and a patient may developed the Opioid Overdose seek out street drugs, like heroin, Education and Naloxone Get Help for an for relief. These drugs may be Distribution (OEND) program more potent than what’s found for medical staff and Veteran Addiction in a prescription and they may patients. Soon after, it was • Veterans Crisis Line: take too much. Or, they might be expanded to VA Police. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) OR mixed with other drugs, such as text 838255 fentanyl. If the person is unaware The VA Boston Police are now • VA Substance Use Disorder of this, they might overdose. trained to administer the Program Locator: NARCAN® nasal spray, and carry it www.va.gov/directory/ VA medical campuses routinely on their utility belts in case they guide/SUD.asp deal with situations of patients encounter someone overdosing • VA PSTD programs: having an opiate overdose. during their patrol. It administers www.va.gov/directory/ So now, the VA Boston Police a 4mg dose of medicine, guide/PTSD.asp Department is meeting this crisis reversing an opiate emergency head-on. and potentially saving a life. • “Learn to Cope” support group: www.learn2cope.org “If there’s an overdose, police can • www.narcan.com sometimes get there faster than 1-844-4Narcan emergency medical staff can,” (1-844-462-7228) says Kershaw.

4 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Fall 2016 Crisis Gaining Intervention Perspective Training Delivers Hope on PTSD Like many officers around the War trauma puts Veterans at country, the VA Police never high-risk for post-traumatic know who they might encounter stress disorder (PTSD). A PTSD on a patrol. It’s important they “trigger” may cause someone can assess a situation quickly to lose control, requiring and make split-second decisions. medical or police intervention. When the situation involves But what happens when someone with a mental illness, the first responders lack the the officer might struggle with understanding to treat the knowing just what to do. person adequately? VA Connecticut Acting Chief Last February, Lt. John Rocca of of Police David Salthouse says the VA Police Department at the Lt. John Rocca and his team present at the that’s why the Crisis Intervention Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial “Veterans: What First Responders Need to Training his officers receive has Veterans Hospital in Bedford Know” summit training at Concord-Carlisle become so important. High School, Feb. 17-18. and his team held a summit at Concord-Carlisle High School This 40-hour training called “Veterans: What First Responders Need to Know.” Signs of program covers: They trained 250 people over PTSD • Mental illness and the mental a two-day period, speaking to health system first responders from a variety • Person has experienced, of fields about the signs of PTSD • Safe de-escalation techniques or knows someone who and how to help those suffering. • Suicide assessment and has experienced a life- prevention threatening situation For their efforts, Rocca and • Children’s mental health • Person is hyper-vigilant or his team are now one of the and trauma three winners of the 2016 constantly on edge • Family perspectives on living Veterans Health Administration • Experiences nightmares or with someone with a Community Partnership flashbacks of the incident Challenge. Since February, they mental illness have held 12 additional sessions, • Relives the experience repeatedly training 1,098 individuals, Members of the VA community including 259 Veterans. • Has a hard time expressing also present during the training. emotion When the person in distress is Jolene Duggan, an independent • Expresses guilt and shame a Veteran, Salthouse says it’s clinical social worker (LICSW) regarding the incident important the officers understand and one of the clinical presenters the unique challenges coming during the summits, says PTSD Are you or someone you know out of the VA community. can develop after someone struggling with PTSD and is in need has experienced any type of of help? Contact the Veterans Crisis traumatic event. “You don’t need Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1. Or to be in a battle to develop PTSD,” send a text message to 838255. says Duggan.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 5 Good Care Important VISN 1 – Leader in for LGBT LGBT Healthcare Veteran Equality For many years, a struggle has existed within the health care industry about how to best care for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Not knowing how they might be perceived or treated, some LGBT people have, in turn, been reluctant to seek out health care. But, things are changing for the better.

A Step in the Right Direction Recently, every medical center within VISN 1 was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.”The results are based on the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) 2016 annual survey that assesses the inclusive policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees. This year, 496 of the 568 (87%) HEI 2016 survey participants met all of the Core Four criteria for Navy Veteran Bob Casanta (served LGBT patient-centered care. The four criteria are: from January 1967 to February 1. Patient Non-Discrimination Policies 1971) says he’s grateful for the wonderful care he receives 2. Equal Visitation Policies within the VA Boston Healthcare 3. Employment Non-Discrimination Policies System. As a gay man who tests 4. Training in LGBT Patient-Centered Care positive for HIV, he says receiving good, consistent health care is "When you think about the VA, and the history of 'don’t ask, invaluable to him. don’t tell,’Veterans might have felt like a VA hospital wasn’t a safe place for them” says Dr. Lynette Adams, Licensed Clinical “I really cannot say enough about Psychologist, Women Veteran Program Manager, at the VA the care I get at the VA hospital Connecticut Healthcare System. “Going on record that we’re in Boston,” says Casanta, who also looking at policies and practices for LGBT health care sends the gets treated for osteoarthritis. message that all are welcome here.” He says it's important for those in the LGBT community to have someone in their corner helping them manage their health.

Casanta says his openly gay therapist, Joseph Wigon, is responsible for much of his positive experience. As the lead therapist within the Infectious Disease and Oncology Department at VA Boston, Wigon has shown to be a strong advocate for the LGBT community.

6 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Fall 2016 Education and Employment Walk and Help for Veterans Roll for a Good Returning home after military service can come with a host of Cause challenges. One of the hardest questions a Veteran may struggle with is, “What do I do next?”

“Some Veterans come home and experience challenges with the On May 18, employees from transition from military to civilian the Edith Nourse Rogers life,” says Lisa Mueller, a clinician Memorial Veterans Hospital in for Veterans Employment Bedford participated in the 6th Resources at the Edith Nourse annual VA2K 2016 Walk & Roll Rogers Memorial Veterans nationwide event. Organized by Hospital in Bedford. “We provide the Veteran Peers “Community services and connect them with Recovery Connections Team,” VA and community resources.” Bedford’s VA2K 2016 was celebrated with calypso music, bubbles, event tents and US flags. Where You Can Find Help The event encourages Here are just some of the employment and educational participants to stay active and assistance open to Veterans within VISN 1: help homeless Veterans through donations. The donations Supported Supported Self- Veterans Integration to collected during the 1.2 mile Employment (SE) Employment (SSE) Academic Leadership walk benefited those moving into Program: Program: (VITAL) the Bedford Green apartment This program is For those that dream The VITAL Initiative complex for homeless Veterans. specifically designed of owning their own partners with local Participants could also purchase for Veterans businesses, the SSE offers colleges and universities food from “Morning Salute,” seeking community “Business Gym” classes. to help Veterans a food truck run by formerly employment. They In partnership with the leverage their unique homeless Veterans. assist in finding a job nonprofit organization, skills to succeed in their that matches your Veteran Business Owners education. To learn more preferences. Once Initiative (VBOI), SSE about VITAL, visit: www. hired, the SE staff provides business mentalhealth.va.gov/ provides any support mentors and other studentveteran/vital_ you need to keep the support to help Veterans programs.asp. job as long as you move through each may need. stage of small business development. Visit www. Gold Star Mothers of Massachusetts and veteranbusinessowners. Rhode Island, (Pres. Karen Lounsbury pictured org to find a Business above), with help from Military Friends and the Gym class near you. Honorable Few, donated a $25 grocery card for each of the 69 “Welcome Home” gift baskets for each of the Bedford Green apartments.

For more information on these programs, call 781-687-2575.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 7

VETERANShealthy living' VISN 1 Communications Department of Veterans Affairs 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730

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Somersworth CBOC VA MEDICAL CENTERS Houlton Regional Hospital One Hospital Road 200 Route 108 White River 20 Hartford Street Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 Somersworth, NH 03878 Junction VAMC Houlton, ME 04730 (508) 771-3190 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 CONNECTICUT 215 North Main Street (877) 421-8263, ext. 2000 (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 White River Junction, New Bedford CBOC VA Connecticut Lewiston/Auburn CBOC 175 Elm Street Tilton CBOC Healthcare System VT 05009 (802) 295-9363 15 Challenger Drive New Bedford, MA 02740 630 Main Street, Ste. 400 Newington Campus Lewiston, ME 04240 (508) 994-0217 Tilton, NH 03276 (207) 623-8411 Ext. 4601 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 555 Willard Avenue COMMUNITY-BASED Pittsfield CBOC Newington, CT 06111 OUTPATIENT CLINICS (877) 421-8263 Ext. 4601 73 Eagle Street (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 (860) 666-6951 Mobile Medical Unit Pittsfield, MA 01201 RHODE ISLAND West Haven Campus CONNECTICUT Main Street (413) 499-2672 Bingham, ME 04920 Middletown CBOC 950 Campbell Avenue Plymouth CBOC West Haven, CT 06516 Danbury CBOC (866) 961-9263 One Corporate Place 7 Germantown Road 116 Long Pond Road (203) 932-5711 Middletown, RI 02842 Danbury, CT 06810 Portland CBOC Plymouth, MA 02360 (401) 847-6239 MAINE (203) 798-8422 144 Fore Street (800) 865-3384 Portland, ME 04101 VERMONT VA Maine New London CBOC Quincy CBOC (207) 771-3500 110 West Squantum St. Healthcare System 4 Shaw’s Cove, Suite 101 Bennington CBOC 1 VA Center New London, CT 06320 Rumford CBOC Quincy, MA 02171 186 North Street Augusta, ME 04330 (860) 437- 3611 431 Franklin Street (774)-826-3070 Bennington, VT 05201 Rumford, ME 04276 (207) 623-8411 Springfield CBOC (802) 440-3300 Stamford CBOC (207) 369-3200 (877) 421-8263 Stamford Health System 25 Bond Street Brattleboro CBOC 1275 Summer Street Saco CBOC Springfield, MA 01104 71 GSP Drive MASSACHUSETTS Stamford, CT 06905 655 Main Street (413) 731-6000 Brattleboro, VT 05301 Saco, ME 04072 Edith Nourse Rogers (203) 325-0649 Worcester CBOC (802) 251-2200 (207) 294-3100 Memorial Veterans Hosp. 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