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In this issue:
 We are starting back up our regular Director's videos, check out this week's message from Mr. Michael Welsh.
All-Employee Town Hall
Please join me for a virtual Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Employee Town Hall. I will address questions live during an hour-long moderated discussion in-person at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, and virtually with questions received in advance from employees across the Nation. The event can be viewed at https://site-23386669.bcvp0rtal.com.
Audience: All VA Employees
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 13, 2022, 3-4 p.m. ET.
Submitting Questions: Questions must be sent in advance. Please use this link to share your question no later than September 9, 2022. Questions on the PACT Act of 2022, Coronavirus Disease 2019, Monkeypox and any workforce-related issues are welcome.
Denis McDonough
The HRO Theme of the Month for September is Learn, Inquire and Improve ...
Best known as an artist, Leonardo da Vinci was also an accomplished engineer, ideologist and metalworker. An insatiable learner, da Vinci’s curiosity compelled him to continually question, experiment and explore.
Like da Vinci, VHA is compelled to ceaselessly question and learn—and to apply that knowledge to Continuous Process Improvement. This month’s theme, Learn, Inquire and Improve, reminds us that cultivating a learning organization—one that is skilled in encouraging continuous learning and creating, acquiring and transferring knowledge—is essential to becoming an HRO. This capability enables us to improve our processes and provide better and safer care for Veterans.
Click to see full interactive newsletter
 September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Be sure that all of our Veterans know about the new Veterans Crisis Line number, 988. They don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.
In 2019, 45,861 adults in the U.S. died by suicide. Of those, 6,261 were Veterans.
Text or chat online options with a VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator are also available:
Text: 838255
Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
Learn more: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Voicemail greetings for VA desk phones and VA cell phones issued to mental health staff members require revising to accommodate the new Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) number [Dial 988 then Press 1], has been updated to reflect the use of 988 for outreaching to the Veterans Crisis Line.
The PACT Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. The law empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 combat Veterans
- Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive locations for Agent Orange and radiation exposure
- Provides toxic exposure screenings to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
VA will execute a comprehensive Veteran outreach plan to make sure that every Veteran and survivor gets the care they need and the benefits they deserve. For now, here are the most important things for Veterans to know:
- We at VA want Veterans and survivors to apply now for their PACT Act benefits.
- Because these conditions have already taken a serious toll on so many Veterans and their families, we are considering all conditions established in the PACT Act to be presumptive on August 10, the date the bill was signed into law.
- We will begin processing those presumptive benefits for Veterans and survivors on the earliest date possible, which is January 1st.
- Any Veteran or survivor can learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.
PACT Act 101 VHA Overview training is now available in TMS. The training provides an overview of the PACT Act, toxic exposure, key dates, and how Veterans and their caregivers can receive information and support on the benefits and services provided by the law. It is available 24/7 via a computer with access to VA Talent Management System (TMS) Item #131004853 and is suitable for all VHA employees, including Central Office staff, providers, administrators, housekeepers, patient advocates, and those who engage with Veterans and caregivers. To access the training, click here: PACT 101 Overview Training
Have Questions? We have answers – Trending Questions & Answers in the Resource Room The PACT Act Resource Room is available 24/7 for VHA employees to ask questions and get answers from subject matter experts. PACT Act Resource Room
Whole Health will continue in-person wellbeing offerings at Ability360 on Thursdays until September 29. The offerings at Ability360 are Tai Chi, Water Aerobics, walking group, and more.
The next Taking Charge of My Life and Health will be virtual on Wednesdays, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., September 15 – October 19.
Please see our September Whole Health Offerings flyer and share with our Veterans.
To send your Veterans to Whole Health there is a Return To Clinic available in CPRS (Consults -> Outpatient Consults -> scroll to W -> Whole Health -> Intro to Whole Health) that has been created for providers. Once an RTC is put in, the Veteran will receive a phone call to get scheduled for the Intro to Whole Health.
- Intro to Whole Health is a virtual, hour long introduction to what Whole Health is and it’s concepts. Veterans are followed up with by phone from one of the Whole Health team to answer questions and get signed up for the offerings they are interested in.
- Intro to Whole Health open to VA employees and is offered monthly on the first Wednesday at 9:00 am and the third Friday at 1:00 pm. Let us know if you would like to attend to learn more about Whole Health and we will share the VVC link.
Want to introduce or update your team to Whole Health? Have a Veteran group you lead? Let us know! We present at huddles, we present at Veteran groups, we present at monthly meetings! We have presented to the PCHMI team, Women’s Health Providers, at Brain Boosters and more.
Whole Health contact information:
For staff:
- 602-277-5551 ext 1281
- VHAPHOWHOLEHEALTH@va.gov
- Karen White, Program Manager or Kayla Forster, Wellbeing Coordinator on Teams/email.
For Veterans:
- 602-277-5551 ect 1281
- PHX VA VETERAN WHOLE HEALTH_WH on MyHealtheVet
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 With National PA Week on the horizon, the PVAHCS PA Group is seeking nominations for Catherine Yanni-Humbles PA of The Year Award.
The PA of The Year Award is presented annually to a PA in the Phoenix VA Health Care System, to recognize excellence in clinical care, research, teaching, and/or administrative contributions.
Eligible PAs include all full-time and part-time VA PAs and does not include staff who are contract or fee basis, or those who work without compensation (volunteers).
All hospital staff/employees are invited to nominate a PA who they feel has shown an exceptional degree of excellence and teamwork in the support of our veterans and fellow staff.
Criterion for award is 'excellence' in clinical care, research, teaching, and/or administrative contributions. Nominations should include the nominee’s name and a short paragraph as to why you think the PA is deserving and should provide specific examples to support your nomination.
All nominees will be placed on a ballot, and the members of the PA staff will be asked to vote. The winner will be selected by the 3rd week in September so the winner can be recognized in the Daily Dose during the PA Week (Oct 6-12) each year. The winner will receive a framed certificate, and recognition at the Quarterly Awards Ceremony by the Chief of Staff and VA Leadership.
Please send all nominations by COB on 9/30/22 to Jennifer.Wilson10@va.gov.
Thank you in advance for nominating and recognizing the PAs who make a difference every day to our Nation’s veterans and PVAHCS staff!
Caregivers, Family Support Members, VA and Community Partners are invited to the September 2, 2022 First Friday Dementia Series. The topic, "Finding Meaningful Activities for Veterans with Dementia," will be presented by Shavaughn Elkins, MSRLS--CTRS, a recreation therapist at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.
Friday, September 2, from 11 a.m.—12 p.m.
No registration is required
Photographs for advertising, commercial purposes, and news coverage requires prior approval as written consent may be required and or can only be taken in certain locations.
Please contact Police Service or Public Affairs for more information or approval.
Save the Date: Phoenix VA Research Week October 25 and 27, 2022
The theme for VA Research Week 2022 is “Science in Service of Veterans”. This year, The Phoenix VA Research Week will be observed on October 25 and 27. Team members across the research enterprise look forward to celebrating the VA's extraordinary achievements in research and innovation and celebrate our meaningful partnerships with our academic affiliates and nonprofits.
On Tuesday, October 25, we will highlight positive stories about VA research, researchers, and innovation that raise awareness about the impact of research, particularly regarding direct benefits to Veterans, their families, and others.
On Thursday, October 27, we will engage with our academic affiliates to reinforce the mission of VA research to advance the health and health outcomes of Veterans and their families. Ongoing research studies in a range of high-priority health conditions affecting Veterans will be presented to showcase existing and future opportunities.
The VA is committed to research as an integral component of its health care mission, where outcomes advance high-quality, cost-effective care for our Nation’s Veterans. The purpose of Phoenix VA Research Week is to elevate public and investigator awareness of VA’s research accomplishments regarding significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment of disease and disability.
Did you know the VA offers various scholarships for employees? Check out this information to learn more about the EISP, NNEI and VANEEP scholarships
Staff are invited to apply for scholarships for multiple clinical roles – see the website for the full list of approved roles
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Applications Accepted
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Class starts on or after this date
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Application must be submitted by
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Approvals will be finalized by
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Anytime
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January 1 until March 31
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August 30
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December 31
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April 1 until June 30
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October 31
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February 28
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July 1 until September 30
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February 28
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June 30
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October 1 until December 31
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May 31
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September 30
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For more information visit the Scholarship Program intranet page.
Please contact us at VHAPHOScholarshipPro@va.gov before you submit for a scholarship. We are happy to answer all your questions.
This Open Hours for Education Services is open to all staff to join us and engage in dialogue on a information and Q&A session platform in regards to education related topics such as the tuition support program, leadership development programs and education opportunities.
This will be hosted each pay period on the 2nd Friday, with our 1st session to start on September 9th.
Open Hours for Education Services, Friday September 9
Due to the Commuications Department staff shortage and increasing demand we are no longer taking email requests for Daily Dose submissions. If you have something for the Daily Dose please ensure you are submitting it through the Communications LEAF portal.
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