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“Some women Veterans may not know about high-quality VA care and services available to them,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The hotline will allow us to field their questions and provide critical information about the latest enhancements in VA services.”

The hotline is staffed by knowledgeable VA employees who can provide information about benefits including health care services for women.  Callers can be linked to information on claims, education or health care appointments as well as information about VA cemeteries and memorial benefits.  Staff can answer urgent questions and provide referrals to homeless and mental health services as well as provide Vet Center information.

Women make up nearly 15 percent of today’s active duty military and 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces.  The population of women Veterans using VA benefits including health care is growing rapidly.  Since 2000, the number of women using VA health care more than doubled, from nearly 160,000 in 2000 to more than 354,000 in 2012.  Based on the upward trend of women in all branches of service, the number of women Veterans—and female VA users—will keep climbing.

 VA is committed to making improvements for the growing population of women Veterans, including the way it communicates with them.  In 2010, VA established an outbound call center to contact women Veterans and encourage them to enroll in VA health care.

“In VA health care alone, women constitute only 6 percent of VA patients, but those Veterans have a high perception of the quality care they are receiving,” said Irene Trowell-Harris, director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans.

“Many women who served don’t self-identify as Veterans and therefore don’t think they qualify for VA benefits. We need to correct existing misinformation and misperceptions so we can serve more women Veterans with the benefits they’ve earned.”

Women Veterans are entitled to apply for the same benefits as their male counterparts, which include health care and pharmacy benefits as well as education benefits, disability compensation, home loans, employment assistance and more.

The hotline (1-855-VA-WOMEN) joins numerous other VA hotlines that provide critical information and assistance to Veterans, such as those for Veterans in crisis and in danger of becoming homeless. Veterans can also receive information and apply for benefits online at VA’s www.eBenefits.va.gov and manage their health care at MyHealtheVet.va.gov.  

Governor Dayton Proclaims Armed Forces Day May 18

Federal VA Announces Patrick Kelly as new Director of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Midwest Health Care Network
Veterans Integrated Service Network 23
2805 Dodd Road, Suite 250
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: (651) 405-5600
Fax: (651) 452-0399

NEWS RELEASE

Minneapolis, Minnesota — The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Kelly as the new director of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

“We are excited to bring Mr. Kelly on board as the new director of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System,” said Ms. Janet Murphy, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 23) Director.  “His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the health care system, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve.  We anticipate he will arrive at the medical center within the next 45 to 60 days to begin his appointment.”

Mr. Kelly has served more than 31 years in health care leadership positions within the VA and Department of Defense (DoD).  He most recently served as Director of the VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mr. Kelly holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Creighton University, Omaha, NE.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

With eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and two outreach clinics, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides health care to over 90,000 Veterans with an operating budget of $750M.  It is a teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is one of eight hospitals, 56 CBOCs or outreach clinics, eight community living centers and four domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs within VISN 23.  VISN 23 covers 392,000 square miles and serves 422,992 enrolled Veterans residing in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Patrick Kelly has an exceptional background and possesses the leadership, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully lead the Minneapolis VA Health Care System into the future.

Minnesota PTAC Training Calendar

The goal of the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center is to help businesses pursue government contracts, and is a great resource to help Veteran-owned businesses excel. The Minnesota PTAC has their calendar of upcoming events available at their website.

DAV Golf Classic May 22

The Disabled American Veterans Foundation is holding their annual Golf Classic May 22 at The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake. Visit their website for more information on this event, and see below for an informational brochure on how to become a sponsor for this event.

Glow Golf Tournament May 23

The Glow Golf Tournament will be held May 23 at Theodore Wirth Golf Course in Golden Valley. All funds raised from this event will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information, registration and sponsorship forms, visit the event website.

Home for Heroes Concert in Bemidji, June 7

You can purchase tickets for the concert below at the Ticketmaster website. Pre-Sale tickets are available May 21, On Sale May 22.

Miss Minnesota Scholarship - A Salute to Veterans June 9

MACV Metro Area Legal Clinic for Veterans, June 11

Target Center Deals for Veterans

The Target Center in downtown Minneapolis is happy to offer special deals and discounts to Minnesota's Veterans. You can visit their Veteran website to see what special offers are being extended. Upcoming events include Hillside United, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and American Idol Live!

MACV Legal Clinic for Veterans in Fargo, June 18

Trap & Skeet Competition for Veterans June 22

You can register for the Trap & Skeet Competition at the event website.

A Place of Grace - Weekend Camp for Military Moms and Their Children July 5-7

You can register for the event below at the Place of Grace website.