U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CMV - News Update

Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke received President of the Federated States of Micronesia Peter Christian, in a courtesy visit at the U.S. Department of the Interior.  The Secretary and the President discussed a variety of topics focusing on the importance of the close and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia. [From U.S. Department of the Interior]

VA Office of Health Equity Chief Officer, Uchenna S. Uchendu, MD, received the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Veterans Braintrust Award for her service to Veterans.  The Award was announced and presented on Friday, September 22, 2017, at the Annual Veterans Braintrust Gala and Reception & Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC.  The guest speaker was former U.S. Senator Carol Mosley Braun.

Prior to the ceremony, Dr. Uchendu shared some insights into the work of the Office of Health Equity including published products and tools for addressing health and healthcare disparities at the 47th Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the CBC Foundation.  Dr. Uchendu’s presentation was included in a daylong session-Reimagining VA Healthcare System for 2040—sponsored by the CBC Veterans Braintrust.

VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin delivered a video message and the VA Chief of Staff Ms. Vivieca Wright-Simpson gave the keynote presentation from VA.  Congressional sponsors who also spoke at the CBC Veteran Braintrust event included Representatives Sanford Bishop (Georgia), Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Lee Jackson (Texas), and Anthony Brown (Maryland).  Mr. Ron Amstead, CBC Braintrust Executive Director, moderated the day’s events.

Congratulations to Dr. Uchendu and thank you to the CBC Veterans Braintrust for bringing focus and seeking solutions to health disparities among Veterans.

Suicide is a public health crisis and VA is launching a national effort to reduce suicide by identifying the warning signs, pointing people to the best resources, and showing how everyone can help.  Over the past 14 years, suicide among civilian adults has increased by 23 percent, but among Veterans it is up 31 percent. [From VAntage Point]

The wonderful people over at Got Your 6 emailed me one day asking if I wanted to do a round table podcast talking about the Forever GI Bill.  I was in right away.  The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 AKA the Forever GI Bill works to improve education benefits for Veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. [From VAntage Poinot]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Beck H. Gee.  Beck served from 1942 to 1946 as a photographer. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Louis!

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Louis Jackson.  Louis served during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Korea and Germany from 1991-2011. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Louis!

On Sept. 18, as part of our Suicide Prevention Month campaign, VA hosted a Twitter chat in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Team Rubicon, and Team RWB. [From VAntage Point]