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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its new 164,000 square foot Outpatient Clinic and Domiciliary located at 145 Heron Bay Road, April 23. VA Secretary Denis McDonough was the keynote speaker. Jacksonville is one of the largest, fastest growing areas in Florida and one of the most Veteran-centric communities in the country. More than 130,000 Veterans call Jacksonville home.
The clinic opened to Veterans on April 9. The Domiciliary, which serves Veterans who are homeless, need substance abuse treatment or have serious mental illness, is expected to open on April 29.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, left, joins Congressman Aaron Bean, VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Wende Dottor, Director of the NF/SG Veterans Health System, and VA Sunshine Healthcare Network Director David B. Isaacks at the ribbon cutting of the new Jacksonville North VA Clinic and Domiciliary, April 23. More than 500 Veterans joined the dignitaries at the campus, which provides outpatient services and in-patient care for those who need mental health or substance abuse treatment.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell joins Congressman Mike Waltz and VA officials at the ribbon cutting of the new Daytona Beach VA Clinic, April 25. The Daytona Beach VA Clinic is located south of the Daytona State College Advanced Technology College on Williamson Boulevard. The 128,899 square foot clinic will offer expanded and enhanced services to local Veterans and their families.
PENSACOLA, Fla.— Gov. Ron DeSantis recently highlighted parts of HB 1285, a bill that further enhances Florida’s top-ranked education system. Highlights from the bill included the establishment of Purple Star School Districts.
The legislation, signed April 15, continues to support military families with the Purple Star Schools of Distinction Program. It institutes Purple Star School Districts, which recognizes districts with Purple Star Schools making up 75% of schools in their district. It also helps to ensure a seamless transition for military families moving into Florida by requiring schools to provide them with support and resources.
For more information on the Purple Star Schools of Distinction program, click here.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell visits with a Veteran prior to the Phase II Dedication Ceremony at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, March 26. The cemetery, which began interments in 2013, sits in Baldwin County, Alabama just west of Pensacola, and will begin accepting burials from out-of-state Veterans in January 2025.
FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray meets with Dr. Stephanie A. Repasky, Medical Center Director of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, at the Veterans Enrollment and Benefits Fair at the Pensacola Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic, April 6. More than 420 Veterans had their claims processed by staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration, while over 150 Veterans were screen for toxic exposures.
 Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. Hartsell renders full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery for the family of Capt. Thomas Clem, who was shot down in his A-6A Intruder over North Vietnam in May 1968. The Marine Corps captain was missing in action until recent forensic analysis made positive identification.
 Retired Army Colonel and FDVA Chief of Staff Al Carter attends the Manasota Military, Veterans and First Responders Ball in Sarasota, April 20. Colonel Carter helped present 101-year-old Navy Veteran Petty Officer 2nd Class Trudy Cronin and 105-year-old World War II Army Veteran Staff Sgt. John V. Skeen with Veterans’ Service Medals.
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Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home resident Thurman Aldridge Jr has been selected as a finalist in the Florida Health Care Association’s 2024 Long Term Care Photo Contest. There are over 120 entries and "Here Comes Boomer" is one of 20 photos submitted for final voting. The winners will be announced during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, May 12-18. The bobcat mascot from Pasco and Hernando State College recently visited Aldridge and his fellow residents in the Land O’ Lakes State Veterans’ Home. |
 FDVA State Veterans' Service Officer Samuel Rivera connects Veterans with earned services and benefits at the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, April 11.
VISN 8 has announced the release of its 2023 Report to the Community. You can read it by clicking here.
“It has been our privilege to continue delivering exceptional care to Veterans and their families, said VA Sunshine Healthcare Network Director David Isaacks. “Earning and maintaining their trust is an essential part of our work, which has continued to improve. In 2023, 92 percent of Veteran patients reported they trust VISN 8 for their medical and mental health needs. Quality of care, satisfaction with specialty care, and interactions with staff were among the most complimented areas.”
In 2023, the new PACT Act was implemented to expand VA health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. More than any other network, VISN 8 screened nearly 500,000 Veterans for toxic exposures. Plus, more than 28,000 Veterans were newly enrolled in VA health care, a 26 percent increase from 2022. In keeping with VA’s priority to prevent Veteran suicide, VISN 8 partnered with more than 80 hospitals to host sessions about the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act (COMPACT Act). This law allows any Veteran in acute suicidal crisis to visit any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency mental health care at no cost to them.
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TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Division of Emergency Management encourages all Floridians to begin home, business and family preparations ahead of any potential storms that may impact our state this coming hurricane season. Households are encouraged to have enough essential supplies to last every member of the family, including pets, at least seven days.
 With a recent pay raise for all state employees and a new competitive pay structure with sign-on bonuses for our direct care staff, working in one of Florida’s nine state veterans’ homes can be rewarding. Click on the graphic above to visit our position openings or visit https://bit.ly/3AuWCED.
 Since November 2023, FDVA Hope Navigators have assisted more than 375 Veterans through the Hope Florida initiative.
 The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, also called VA Health Connect, will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year as it continues to provide virtual urgent care around the clock to hundreds of thousands of Veterans. The center continues to experience significant growth in its service capabilities, technological advancements, and staffing levels.
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