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In this issue:
DID YOU KNOW
IMPORTANT: Items and announcements for the InterComm should be emailed to the Public Affairs email group at: vhabhhcspublicaffairs@va.gov
2021 NFS Excellence Award Nominations are Closing in 3 Weeks!
Nominate an Outstanding Colleague by Close of Business January 31, 2022
Award Categories:
- Excellence in Clinical Nutrition Leadership by a RDN or NDTR
- Excellence in Clinical Nutrition Care by a RDN
- Excellence in Clinical Nutrition Care by a NDTR
Food Services
- Excellence in Food Services Leadership by a RDN or NDTR
- Excellence in Food Services by a RDN
- Excellence in Food Services by a NDTR
Additional Categories
- Excellence in Emerging Leadership by a RDN or NDTR
- Excellence in Nutrition Research by a RDN or NDTR
- Excellence in Dietetic Education by a RDN *** new award
How to Nominate:
- Review the Nomination Guidelines
- Complete the appropriate Nomination Form
- Submit the Nomination Form and nominee's CV/Resume to M. Isabel Mendes and Vivian Bossong by close of business January 31, 2022
**Self-nominations are not accepted**
More information is available on the Awards SharePoint site. Selections will be made in February 2022 and announcements of award recipients will be in March 2022 to celebrate National Nutrition Month.
Questions? Contact M. Isabel Mendes and Vivian Bossong
Meade School District 46-1 Sturgis Brown High School
14th Annual Career Fair
Wednesday February 16th, 2022 from 8:00AM-12:00 Noon.
This exciting event will present valuable information to students about career options available to them upon graduation.
Lead/Deadwood High School, Newell High School, Douglas High School, Takini High School, Belle Fourche High School and Spearfish High School have been invited to participate in the Career Fair.
Please contact Melody Wouden 1-7151 to RSVP by January 21st if your service is interested in participating and sharing knowledge for tomorrows future success!
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 HSEA and FMEA will be hosting Bingo sessions throughout the year.
These 2-hour sessions will be virtual over Teams with an open house forum (drop in when you can and stay as long as you can). There will be 10 games played each session with prizes being awarded for each game.
Our first session will be Jan 26, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Must be a member of HSEA or FMEA to play.
Check out our SharePoint pages to find out how to Join.
FMEA SharePoint
HSEA SharePoint
An email with a Teams link will be sent to all members.
 Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to describe:
•What is Transitional Work
•Goals and philosophy of Transitional Work
•Veterans served in Transitional Work
•Transitional Work is a Therapy Program
MESSAGE FROM VISN 23 NETWORK DIRECTOR
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa R. Curnes, MHA, BSN, RN, as the new Director of our VA Black Hills Health Care System. Ms. Curnes currently serves as the Associate Director at the Eastern Kansas VA Health Care System, Leavenworth/Topeka, Kansas.
Lisa received her Bachelor of Science and Nursing from the University of Iowa, and a Master of Health Administration from Des Moines University.
Ms. Curnes has been with VA for 27 years. She has held multiple leadership positions across VA, including several positions within VISN 23.
Ms. Curnes’s sound leadership qualities and proven experience will support efficient operations, transparency, and consistency. With a strong sense of governance structure and ability to focus on customer experience, I am certain she will be an asset to our VISN, our employees and volunteers, our health care partners, the community, and most importantly, to the Veterans we are honored to serve.
Thank you for your continued support during this transition of Directors. I know that you will join me as we welcome Lisa Curnes. Ms. Curnes is scheduled to begin January 30, 2022.
Robert P. McDivitt
Robert P. McDivitt, FACHE
Executive Director, VA Midwest Heath Care Network (VISN 23)
COVID-19 SharePoint updated for Supervisors
New Supervisors Steps in LEAF - FAQs
COVID-19 Employee Testing Instructions
COVID-19 testing is MANDATORY for all employees who are not vaccinated for COVID-19. Refusal of the test may result in disciplinary action.
Testing Frequency: Once weekly at a minimum.
Click here for more information on How to test.
Questions: Contact your supervisor or ICC/Service Chief.
Want to see your COVID test results?
- The results of the COVID-19 screening test will be accessible to the supervisor and the employee through the LEAF site.
- Click the link above. It will take you to the LEAF site and automatically log you in.
- Then Click the View your Results Button.
VA is committed to the health of everyone that enters our facilities, including employees, Veterans, volunteers, and visitors. We care deeply for all we serve!
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EMPLOYEE booster doses or immunocompromised doses!
Employee COVID Vaccinations should be requested through a phone call to Employee Health. Please call 1-7790.
For more information about COVID Boosters please visit:
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC
For more information about 3rd Moderna vaccine for Immunocompromised individuals please visit:
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People | CDC
Additional information on Booster criteria/approval/timeline can be found by clicking the following link: CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC
Wear your proper PPE, maintain proper distance, use good hand hygiene. Be Well!
| Employee COVID #'s |
COVID Positive |
Person Under Investigation |
| Clinical Staff |
59 |
24 |
| Administrative Staff |
19 |
7 |
| Total |
83 |
5 |
As of: January 14, 2021
South Dakota COVID-19 Dashboard
Find the latest confirmed cases and spread by county on the state of SD Dashboard
Employee Flu Vaccines are here.
Fort Meade: FM employee flu shots are moving to appointment only. To make an appointment: email, Teams, or call Kristen Mion. (Kristen.Mion@va.gov or 17790).
Hot Springs: Walk-in only - every Monday from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Go to 2nd floor, Specialty room D214.
More focused mock events at both campuses.
Hot Springs Mock event window: January 17th-January 28th
 Course objectives:
By the end of this course the learners will:
- Discuss early recognition and management of ACS, including the appropriate disposition
- Model effective communication as a member or leader of a high-performance team
- Recognize the impact of team dynamics on overall team performance
- Effectively operate the lifesaving equipment on the crash cart
- Complete a full crash cart, Zoll defibrillator check (RNs only)
 The workshop is specifically for family/friends/caregivers of Veterans with PTSD. This 2.5 hour workshop will help to explain how PTSD is developed, the symptoms, the impact of avoidance, how to support and encourage their Veteran, the impact PTSD has on relationships, and more. The idea is that the family/friend/caregiver will only need to attend one of these offered workshops. This is NOT an ongoing support group but rather a one time informational workshop. Staff are also welcome to attend!
The following SOPs have been posted to the SharePoint and are now in full effect.
SURG SOP-031 Nail Clinic
MHS SOP-225 OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES, FORT MEADE VAMC AND RAPID CITY CBOC
All VHA Operational Memoranda
Leave for Employees to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Leave for Employees Accompanying a Family Member to Receive the Vaccine.
Leave for Adverse Reactions to the COVID-19 Vaccine.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 - Emergency Paid Leave (EPL) - Expired on September 30, 2021
For more information regarding these leave options, visit the VISN 23 HR SharePoint or email VISN23WorklifeBenefits@va.gov.
Employee Recognition
Want to recognize a co-worker for outstanding, professional care? Visit our awards page to nominate someone for their excellence! Employee Awards Program
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The VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is committed to helping Veterans, their partners, and VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you, or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV - help is available. Check out the IPVAP SharePoint for more information. |
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Upcoming webinars on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) topics for the month of September. Employees can register by going to tsp.gov/webinars in the Online Learning section and selecting the requested topic using registration code: TSPweb.
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Learn More EAP Intranet Page Call 1-800-222-0364 (or 888-262-7848 if you are hearing-impaired) anytime – we’re available 24/7. When contacting the EAP please use VA/Department of Veterans Affairs/ VISN 23-Black Hills to identify your agency. Online Access: www.FOH4You.com
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To donate leave to a participant of the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program, you will need to complete both of the following forms (located in document library):
Click here for the information you need to donate leave
The List of names can now be found on SharePoint at:
Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP)
Contact Richard Christensen at: (319) 338-0581 ext. 636731 with questions.
For all your human resource needs check out SharePoint at: What you need to know from Human Resources
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