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Greetings. My name is Leigh Anderson, and I have the privilege to serve as the VA Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19) chief medical officer (CMO). Our CMO team ensures the highest quality of clinical care for the nearly 700,000 eligible Veterans in VISN 19.

As the guest author for this issue of Quarterly ReMiNder,    I want to bring your attention to several items:

• With five Mobile Medical Units (four in Cheyenne, one in Grand Junction) VISN 19 has the largest active fleet in the VA. A story below highlights our mobile Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) program to reach even more underserved Veterans in our most rural areas.  
• VISN 19's Clinical Resource Hub began as a small group of clinicians in 2018, but has since expanded to offer numerous services throughout our 470,000 square miles of territory. This year we plan to expand Teleurology, Telecardiology, and Telepain service capacities.
• Our Montana VA Health Care System is proudly supporting our community partners in the Treasure State by providing beds through a FEMA assignment to assist with their COVID-19 efforts.
• Check out What's Next? to see the numerous activities occurring over the next few months at facilities from Oklahoma to Montana.   

Lastly, as a doctor, I encourage you to get your flu shot if you haven't already. A flu shot is a safe way to help protect yourself, and those around you, from getting sick and having complications from flu. Flu vaccines are now available at no cost to eligible Veterans at any of our VISN 19 facilities or at one of our in-network community providers.

Thanks for your interest, support, and advocacy for the Veterans we serve throughout our network.

Sincerely,

Dr. Leigh Anderson

Congratulations to our Sheridan VA Medical Center (VAMC) for winning Most Improved Inpatient Experience during VA's annual Patient Experience (PX) Awards Symposium in August. Sheridan achieved a 16% improvement (the highest among all VAMCs) of their inpatient score over last year.

Montana VAMC opens beds to non-Veteran patients to help relieve nearby hospitals during COVID-19 surge

"The Montana VA stands ready to aid our community partners during this public health crisis," executive director Judy Hayman said in this CNN story.

Montana VA Health Care System was proud to work with Montana Veterans Affairs Division, Montana 211, and RallyPoint, to host the Virtual - Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) in August. Together, our programs served over 250 Veterans, helping them obtain benefits / services, schedule appointments, file claims, etc. 
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System will host a V-VEAC in February 2022.

October 2021:

A groundbreaking for the new 275,000 square-foot, 58-bed, medical-surgical hospital for Veterans in Tulsa is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2021. The project is tentatively scheduled to finish in 2023 and open to patients in 2024.

November 2021:

Enid VA Outpatient Clinic, part of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, will open for services in November 2021.

December 2021:

Miles City VA Outpatient Clinic, part of the Montana VA Health Care System, will open for services in December 2021, serving nearly 1,000 Veterans.