Director Update: 

Dear Veterans,

I hope you had the opportunity to listen in on our recent tele-town hall where we discussed the results of the recently completed Market Assessment process and the referral of recommendations to a National Asset Infrastructure Review or (AIR) Commission. The full report is available now, on-line at https://www.va.gov/aircommissionreport.

For most of the VHA, in the near-term, the recommendations will have no major infrastructure impacts. In many cases where major construction is required, changes are 10 to 20 years away.

However, now that the Assessment recommendations are public, I would like to review with all of you what is recommended are for the Madison VA:

Recommendation 1:  Modernize the Emergency Department - This recommendation is already included as part of our Strategic Capital Plan and we have been working on options for implementing this improvement over the next several years.

Recommendation 2:  Establish a new CBOC in East Madison – This recommendation is also already in progress and we are excited to bring more access to care for Veterans on the East side of Madison. Our new location will be off of US Highway 151 near the UW Health East Clinic and American Family Insurance campus.  We expect to break ground on that clinic very soon and are planning for a Grand Opening in mid 2023!!

If these recommendations are approved, they will become mandatory actions the Department must pursue – in our case these recommendations are already in progress.

The Assessment also recommends what they call “Complementary Strategies” – these strategies if approved would move forward as additional discretionary actions VA anticipates taking to enhance the recommendations.  These complementary strategies include:

Complementary Strategy 1:  Expand Home-Based Primary Care coverage to the Rockford, Freeport and Janesville, CBOC.  This recommendation is in progress as part of a National Geriatrics and Extended Care expansion project.

Complementary Strategy 2:  Improve Inpatient Medical, Surgical and Mental Health Bed Availability by identifying a distinct bed or service location to support detox patients.  Our clinical leadership is currently pursuing options to develop this capability which will help us improve bed flow within the hospital.

Complementary Strategy 3:  Develop a Facility Master Plan  for the Madison VA – These plans are conducted periodically to ensure optimal use of available space and to complete necessary expansion projects, like the ED.  We have a project in place to contract with a designer to develop a Master Plan  - this strategy is also in progress.

Complementary Strategy 4:  Realign Markets – Our VISN submitted a recommendation to realign the definitions of Health Care markets so that Madison and Tomah share a market and Milwaukee and Iron Mountain share a market.  This redesignation would more accurately reflect our current patient referral patters from our smaller more rural sites to our more urban, complex, Medical Centers.

Complementary Strategy 5:  Seek Partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers to the Southwest.  We are aware of a need to offer more services for our Veterans Southwest of us and will continue to pursue options for delivering care to them closer to their homes.

These are the recommendations the AIR Commission will review for the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics – and as you see most of these recommendations are already in progress. We like to view this as validation of the strategic direction we have been taking over the last several years – and it means that we do not predict any potential for significant disruption of, or changes to, our services.

What comes next is a year of review by the AIR Commission.  Recommendations are just that until fully approved and the AIR Commission will spend the next year reviewing the recommendations for Madison and all of the other VA hospitals across the Nation.  As they conduct their review, we will keep you updated on their progress.

In summary, Veterans are always at the center of what we do, and this whole process is simply attempting to ensure we have the most up to date infrastructure to support our staff being able to do what they do best day in and day out, and that is provide quality, compassionate care to our Veterans.

Thank you. 

- John Rohrer, Hospital Director

Women's History Month

In recognition of Women’s History Month this March, VA celebrates our nation’s women Veterans and VA’s own front-line workers whose commitment to healing and service provides hope in the darkest circumstances. Their dedication, contributions, and sacrifices cannot be overstated. Join VA as we commemorate women serving on the front lines and share snapshots of “how it started” and “how it’s going.” These comparisons highlight women Veteran’s timeless, ceaseless compassion and resilience as well as the evolution of their honorable service. From the nurses and relief workers of our nation’s earliest conflicts; to the active-duty women stepping up to vaccinate millions; and to the VA staff in leadership positions at VAMCs across the nation, we thank you and honor your service as you gracefully and compassionately brave the front lines.

Throughout March, VA is recognizing our nation’s front-line women across social media channels. Recognize and elevate the stories of local women employees who serve. In addition, join us on VA’s Facebook and Instagram (@DeptVetAffairs) and follow Center for Women Veterans to see and share stories of how it started and how it’s going. Learn more here.

VA is committed to honoring and respecting women Veterans.VA wants women to have access to resources they need and can trust. Resources for women Veterans offered through VA include: ·

Comprehensive women’s health care to serve women Veterans unique health care needs. Women's Health Primary Care Providers and their teams take care of general medical needs and gender-specific care and can refer to specialty services.

The Women Veterans Call Center is a free service available to women Veterans, their families, and caregivers to answer questions via call, text, or online chat, as often as they need. This includes questions about Veteran status, Veteran ID cards, benefits, and how to make an appointment. All calls are answered by women representatives.

The Center for Women Veterans (CWV) coordinates VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans. CWV advocates for cultural transformation to make VA the best place for women Veterans to receive quality, comprehensive health care.

The Women’s Health Transition Training is a free, self-paced course that women Veterans and transitioning servicewomen can take to learn about health care benefits and services offered through VA. Topics include eligibility and how to enroll.

The Veterans Crisis Line is for Veterans who are in crisis, or for family, friends, or caregivers who are concerned about a Veteran.

The Hall of Heroes is an ongoing program for formal recognition of valorous actions during a Veteran’s military service to the United States of America. Candidates for the Hall of Heroes are service members or Veterans who currently or previously received care at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics. 

Veterans and service members that are chosen for the Hall of Heroes will be honored by having a framed photograph and information about their personal award and citation for heroism or valor placed on the Hall of Heroes wall at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.

The criteria for induction includes: 

• Served their country in conflicts or wartime
• Awarded military decorations for valor, heroism, and/or specific combat actions
• Description of the heroism resulting in a reward or citation
• Completed Nomination and Authorization Verification Form

Packets must be submitted by June 30th. You can download the packet here. and submit it to: VHAMADHallofHeroes@va.gov.

For more information go to our Hall of Heroes page.