WINTER 2019 VA New England Healthcare System VETERANShealthy living' Making Connections, Delivering Care Message from Veterans’ Healthy Living the Network EDITORIAL BOARD Maureen Heard VISN 1 Chief Communications Director Officer / Public Affairs Officer John Paradis Ryan Lilly, MPA Senior Editor & Writer WEBSITE: www.newengland.va.gov Veterans’ Healthy Living is published as a Dear Veterans, patient education service by VA New England Healthcare System. The publication is intended to provide information to help you maintain Sometimes distance is the biggest obstacle for Veterans in obtaining good health and learn about the many health health care. VA New England is dedicated to closing the distance services available through VA. This publication is not intended as a substitute for professional between Veterans and the care you have earned. We know you can’t medical advice, which should be obtained from always get to us, so we are working on new ways to get to you. your VA health care provider. All articles may be reproduced for educational purposes. Our outreach teams visit hundreds of local activities every year in person, looking for Veterans to connect with and assist with benefits ON THE COVER: Cheri Glasset, lead telehealth clinical and claims. Two of our most successful outreach events are WaterFire technician at the Edith Nourse Rogers Providence and The Big E. This year was no exception. Read about Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, how many Veterans we reached on page 6. We are especially proud Mass., connects with Lisa Eisele, that this year’s WaterFire Salute to Veterans theme was “Honoring Connected Care program manager for the VA New England Healthcare System, Our Women Warriors” because every Veteran counts. on the screen of a new, state-of-the-art clinical access station. The station is one We are also excited to introduce expanded telehealth to our health of the latest telehealth technologies at care services. Technology is expanding our reach as never before, VA medical centers. The equipment can listen to heart beats, conduct eye exams allowing us to deliver health care to the homes of those who can’t and check for skin conditions among come to us. You can read about how telehealth is already saving lives other medical procedures. on page 4. Even as we embrace technological advances in health care we still wholeheartedly believe in the value of in-person, face-to-face health care. You can read about our new community-based outpatient clinic in Somersworth, N.H. on page 7, as well as our plans to partner with University of Massachusetts Medical School to bring you a new clinic in Worcester, Mass., in 2021. Finally, health care isn’t the only way we honor our Veterans. The Bedford VA community showed their appreciation and respect for local World War II Veterans with an “Honor Bus Tour” inspired by the Honor Flight program. I think you will love this story as much as I do (page 3). With thanks for your service, Ryan Lilly, MPA VA MISSION: Honor America’s Veterans by Network Director providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 2 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Winter 2019 Honor Bus Tour Salutes Local Heroes Last fall in Massachusetts, the Bedford VA community honored local World War II Veterans (aged mid 90s to 102) with an “Honor Bus Tour.” The Oct. 2 salute was inspired by the national Honor Flight program to share love and respect with local heroes. Ten World War II Veterans departed a cheering crowd at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, traveling to the American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation in Hudson, Mass. World War II Veterans at the American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation “From the moment the live band saluted our Veterans with a At the American Heritage U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. military medley, it was clear as the Museum, Veterans were greeted Adam T. Page from Hanscom AFB smiles on their faces that it would by the Fence Force Flagline concluded the ceremony with be a very special day,“ said an that traditionally greets the a presentation of the Ruptured editorial in The Bedford Citizen. honor flights. After a tour of the Duck Pin to honor those who museum, a ceremony was held served. After the ceremony Before leaving, Veterans were in front of a U boat from D Day, concluded, Veterans and guests gifted custom cardigans surrounded by photos of the enjoyed lunch in the museum to displaying an embroidered World Veterans, formally thanking them. World War II-era music. War II Ruptured Duck from the While taps played, a World War II Benevolent and Protective Order combat Veteran placed a wreath Although the Bedford Honor of Elks, lap quilts lovingly made in honor of those who gave all. Bus Tour was inspired by the by North Parish Quilters with national Honor Flight program, it support by Veterans of Foreign Veterans were presented with was born from the love, respect Wars (VFW) Post 6800, and a cards from grateful children, and gratitude we have for our World War II flag presented by friends, volunteers, students, local Veteran heroes. Their Bedford VA Director Joan Clifford. neighbors, and corporations; extraordinary service and sacrifice citations from Massachusetts will never be forgotten. The Honor Bus procession was Governor Charlie Baker; Ruptured escorted by the Massachusetts Duck coins from Clifford; roses; State Police and the Middlesex and a 2019 Veterans Day poster. Sheriff’s Office, while the Bedford Fire Department saluted these heroes of the “Greatest Generation“ by flying Old Glory from a ladder truck. Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 3 Keeping Veterans in Good Health Telehealth technology helps New England Veteran patients stay connected Connected Care is the broad title for all the technology solutions VA is using to enable Veterans to virtually meet-up with their VA health care providers. It’s all part of the largest telemedicine initiative in the country led by the Veterans Health Administration. For VA New England, expansion of telehealth capabilities is a major strategic objective. “We provided care to over 25,000 Veterans last year using telehealth technology and our goal is to provide the right care in the right place at the right Richard Tirrell, a Maine Veteran, “The VA saved my life,” says Tirrell, time through the use of state-of- had a low level of oxygen in his who checks in with Monica at the-art technologies,” said Eisele. blood and his heart was beating least once a month. “Telehealth “We’re making VA health care at more than 100 times per keeps me honest; it makes sure more convenient and reducing minute. He was short of breath, I’m checking my vitals every day travel times for Veterans. This is having difficulty breathing and and doing the things I need to especially important for those gasping with every breath. do and that’s very important. in very rural areas with limited If you’re a Veteran and you are access to VA health care facilities. Some 40 miles away from his offered telehealth, I definitely We’re able to meet Veterans home in Bath, Monica Fennell, his recommend it.” where they are.” telehealth nurse, was remotely monitoring his health from her Telehealth is the new and ever- Called Telehealth, the VA offers office at the VA Maine Healthcare growing world of health care. smartphone- and computer- System in Augusta. When she “VA New England is investing based technology for its patients, saw Tirrell’s oxygen level dip to significant resources and ranging from two-way tele- a dangerous level, Fennell called technology to keep our Veteran conferencing systems linked with and told him he needed to get to patients connected and in good medical equipment to using an an emergency room right away. health from any location no Internet connection and web matter where they live,” says Lisa camera to create an on-line C. Eisele, RN, Connected Care medical appointment. program director. 4 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Winter 2019 One component of telehealth is the “VA Video Connect” program, which is gaining popularity among New England Veterans, said Eisele. Across New England, VA Video Connect has been used for scheduled appointments and to provide “just in time” care when Veterans have more urgent needs. In some cases, critical care has been available within minutes of the Veteran reaching out to the healthcare team to report their need. In addition to VA Video Connect, 5,649 Veterans, similar to Tirrell from Maine, have used another key telehealth program, the home telehealth/remote patient monitoring program where a registered nurse VA “The single greatest value in In-person patient-doctor care coordinator monitors and having a telehealth program is visits will remain valuable and analyzes a Veteran’s medical data. access,” said Eisele. “Telehealth necessary in many circumstances, This has been particularly helpful increases access when our and discussions between the for Veterans with chronic health Veterans are experiencing Veteran and their provider will conditions such as diabetes, barriers to care. We are using determine when telehealth is an congestive heart failure, chronic telehealth in tremendous ways appropriate care delivery option, obstructive pulmonary disease, to overcome barriers such as lack said Eisele. and hypertension. of transportation, work or school schedule conflicts or childcare To learn Telehealth has also been demands. For us, it’s been a great valuable for Veterans who need way to provide continuity of care.” more to see specialists that are in about VA’s high demand or have limited At the same time, VA is using telehealth availability, such as sleep telehealth to emphasize the program medicine, endocrinology or importance of relationships advanced liver care.