From the Director's Desk
Greetings, Veterans, and thank you for your service to the United States of America. It is our honor and privilege to serve you.
As the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to rage across the country, I thought it was time to send you another update about some operational practices at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
To begin…masks.
In light of the new CDC guidance on masking, we have maintained a mask requirement at VA facilities, because protecting Veterans, our staff, and those in the VA community, remains our top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cloth masks are no longer adequate and if you do not have a surgical mask, one will be provided for you.
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Next – vaccinations:
The Delta variant is causing a serious resurgence of COVID-19, and if you have not been vaccinated, we strongly urge you to do so. Bring your spouse or caregiver, and we will vaccinate them, too. To prevent vaccine waste and maximize availability, we are providing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at all our locations on the following days:
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Poplar Bluff – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Farmington – Mondays, 9-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
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West Plains – Mondays, 8-9 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
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Sikeston – Mondays, 8-9 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
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Cape Girardeau – Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.
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Pocahontas and Paragould – Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.
Veterans and/or their spouses or caregivers who request vaccinations on days other than those listed above have the opportunity to receive the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Call us at 573-686-4151 or 888-557-8262 to learn more.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is so committed to protecting your health, we are making the vaccinations mandatory for most VA clinical personnel. This includes physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries and chiropractors- in other words, all those who provide direct care to those we serve. This is occurring at every VA medical facility across the country; regardless of where you get your care, our clinical staff should be vaccinated.
As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough said, “Any unvaccinated employees who interact with Veterans right now are putting those Veterans at risk—and that’s a risk we simply cannot take... Whenever a Veteran or teammate sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know we have done everything in our power to keep them safe. With this mandate, we can once again make—and keep—that fundamental promise.”
Similarly, it would be a great service to your country and protect your family, friends, and fellow Veterans, if you would make it a priority to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting the vaccine is one of the biggest things you can do to help America move past this terrible disease.
Finally, let’s talk about alternatives to “going to the doctor.” Did you know you don’t have to come in to be seen?! Veterans can access their VA care team for real-time video appointments using a mobile phone, tablet, or computer and VA Video Connect. VA Video Connect is a secure and private video connection for Veterans who prefer to receive care from home or a non-VA facility, find getting to a VA facility difficult or time consuming, are too busy to attend in-person appointments regularly, or need to see a VA specialist who is not located nearby for treatment.
If you would benefit from video telehealth services but don't have a video capable device or internet access, VA can lend you a free internet-connected iPad and peripherals to include a weight scale, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, thermometer and/or stethoscope so you can be examined by your VA care team through telehealth. Talk to your VA provider to see if telehealth is a good fit for you!
Through these measures and more, we are doing everything we can to protect you and your loved ones during this worldwide pandemic. We are proud to serve you with the very best health care.
Take a look at our newsletter below for important information about Beneficiary Travel Reimbursement, My HealtheVet, and more.
Again, thank you for choosing VA and thank you for your service.
Drew A. DeWitt, FACHE
Medical Center Director
Veteran Newsletter
John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Veteran Newsletter
Did you know...? Have you had recent changes to your income? If you have recently retired or are experiencing financial hardship, contact a member of our business office to see if you qualify for assignment into a higher Priority Group by calling our office at (573) 686-4151 ext. 52177. Now...we have a new Verbal Passcode program...
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