VA North Texas Director's Suite--COVID-19 Updates--November 5, 2020

Veterans, stakeholders, advocates & friends:

COVID-19 and Garland: Due to a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 positive patients seeking care at VA North Texas Health Care System (specifically our main Dallas VA Medical Center), the decision has been made to reopen our COVID-19 Relief Center at the Garland VA Medical Center campus.

As of today, November 5, 2020, the Center stands ready to accommodate up to 208 non-acute patients, thus decongesting the Dallas campus to provide bed space for those patients requiring acute care in a controlled setting. Minimal work was needed to reactivate the COVID-19 Relief Center in Garland as it was occupied with patients from April to August of this year. This shift and reactivation was possible due to the significant efforts of our 5,900 dedicated professional employees who are working 24/7 to provide the very best care for our Veterans. 

As of November 5, 2020, VA North Texas Health Care System has had 254 confirmed COVID-19 employee cases, in addition to 519 patient cases.

FY 2020 Accomplishments & Statistics in Review:

Despite COVID-19 barriers and opportunities through most of 2020, VA North Texas has stayed extremely busy and garnered much success to accompany a growing demand for Veteran health care. 

#2 largest VA in nation (likely will be #1 in 2021)

300 Academic affiliations 

Elite Pathway to Excellence (PTE) Designation 

5-Star Community Living Center (CLC) rating

2020 VA Inspiring Use of Technology award

184,000 Enrolled Veterans

139,000 Unique patients who used services

2,287,875 Individual encounters of patient care

39,340 Patients received Mental Health care

117,846 Patients received specialty care

36,358 Dallas VA Medical Center Emergency Department (ER) visits

New VA North Texas Podcast: The first episodes of our new VA North Texas podcast, BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) will launch on Nov. 9 via BuzzSprout. We’ve sat down with a bevy of VA and community guests thus far to bring answers to Veteran questions and the result is several 30 minute shows that are clear, concise, informative, and hopefully, entertaining. The app and downloads are free and new episodes will be available on a bi-weekly basis. 

Suicide Prevention: We cannot be afraid to start the conversation around mental health and suicide. This month, and every day throughout the year, gives each of us the opportunity to educate and provide information about VA mental health and suicide prevention resources. Veterans, families and friends must know about the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, our Make the Connection program, and just Be There for the veteran with one simple act of support.

VA recently began to implement strategies to better support incarcerated Veterans prior to release and following release from detention. On the benefits side, VBA is focusing on making sure Veterans involved in the justice system first and foremost have the information needed to access their benefits upon release and reduce recidivism. Educational opportunities, along with employment opportunities can provide former incarcerated Veterans a path to returning to normal lives in their respective communities. Eligible Veterans who were receiving reduced disability compensation may once again be allowed to receive this compensation. For more information about incarcerated Veterans, visit here.

VA North Texas social media: Don’t forget to visit our Facebook Page – you will be astonished at all of the information and Faces of Service featuring our heroes that you'll see. 

Simply put, we're leading VA and providing quality health care to a growing population of North Texas Veterans in the middle of a national pandemic. Do you know somebody who is not receiving this content and other VA North Texas updates? Tell them to send an email to NTXPublicAffairs@va.gov to be added to the subscriber list.

In your service,

Stephen R. Holt, MD, MPH, MSNRS

Director