Director's Update

Happy New Year and welcome to 2023!

As you have probably heard, the recently passed PACT Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care and benefits for Veterans with toxic exposures. We encourage you to take a few minutes and learn more by visiting www.VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411. This new legislation may expand current benefits you already have or may provide important resources for another Veteran who may be struggling. We encourage you to evaluate whether this new law impacts you and to spread the word to others you know who it may help.

One of our articles in this newsletter centers around our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) values statement, which we commit to upholding in every interaction we have with Veterans and with each other:

“The Madison VA Hospital & Clinics strive to create a culture that is welcoming, equitable, fosters a sense of belonging, and advocates for all voices to be heard. Regardless of your race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or identity – you are welcome here. You belong here.”

Nowadays, with the internet and social media especially, it is easy to notice tension, disagreements, and unfortunately, hostility towards others for a variety of reasons. I want to make it clear that we take this statement very seriously and are committed to making sure all Veterans are welcomed and accepted for who they are at our hospital and clinics.

One of the most amazing aspects of the military is that people come together from all walks of life towards a common goal. They may wear different uniforms, but at the end of the day we are one team. This philosophy doesn’t stop when leaving the military. It’s an attitude and sign of respect we want to reflect in every interaction we have. We hope you join us in ensuring everyone is respected and heard throughout our great nation and within the confines of our hospital and clinics.

Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter. I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and prosperous new year!

- John Rohrer, Hospital Director

In the movie, “Remember the Titans,” head football coach, Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) demanded of his team: “I don’t care if you like each other or not…but you will respect each other.”

The movie is based on the true story of T.C. Williams High School in Virginia as it struggled to accept and implement integration in 1971. In perfect Hollywood fashion, the team won the state championship both in the movie and real life. As the saying goes, the struggle was real, but in the end, they realized that working together and accepting differences ultimately led to a more cohesive, stronger unit. Not much different than what we see in our military.  

Over 50 years later, we are constantly reminded of the importance of listening to one another, understanding one another, being able to ask difficult questions and initiating even more difficult conversations. In short: respect.

At the Madison VA hospital and clinics, demonstrating respect is at the core of what we do every day. Afterall, the military is one of the most diverse teams anywhere, which means our entire VA is equally as diverse.

The Madison VA aims to be a place where everyone feels welcome. It can be difficult to find a healthcare team that values you as you are and a healthcare system where you can simply “be.” Staff at the Madison VA are committed to delivering on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) values statement in every interaction.

We have taken great strides in doing this, including:

• Expanding the availability of hair care accessories such as masks, turbans, silk pillows, and special combs for Veterans to better meet the needs of all ethnicities.
• Reflecting name changes, preferred pronouns, and sexual orientation in the VA’s electronic health record.
• Raising the Pride Flag for the first time in the hospital’s history and providing Veterans with rainbow cookies that had special informational stickers for Pride Month.
• Adding culturally and ethnically relevant food selections to our menus during special ethnic and heritage observations.
• Implementing safe spaces for dialogue and innovation among employees within nine focus areas: American Indian and Alaska Native; Asian American and Pacific Islander; African American; Anti-Racism Action; Women; Hispanic; Individuals with Disabilities; Internship/Students; and LGBTQ+.
• Displaying the I Am Not Invisible exhibit to recognize Women’s Equality Day and honoring our Women Veterans.

While we are proud to have taken these steps in making the Madison VA a more welcoming place for all, we recognize that our work has only begun. We are continuously looking for ways to better serve you and remain committed to maintaining a workplace environment where staff feel included and motivated to provide the highest quality of care possible.

Meet Joe Buchicchio. Odds are, if you’ve visited the main hospital, you may have already met him, even if in passing. Joe is one of the many friendly faces standing at the main entrance. He and his fellow Parkin Veterans colleagues do a little bit of everything: answer questions, hand out masks, vehicle valet, and, oh, provide a warm greeting.

Family: Wife Kathy and two great kids, Dana and Joey.

Hobbies: At age 62, I wanted a Crazy Leggs T-Shirt.  I had never run a race in my life. So, I entered. Now I run about 12 races per year. My favorite is the Sausage Race at Miller Park (Sorry, still can't call it American Family Field).

Prior professional career: Before coming to the VA, I retired after 26 years as the Retail Services Manager at UW Health.

Connection to the VA: After retirement, I wanted a part-time job where I could give back to the community. Valeting cars was the perfect opportunity. No nights, weekends, or holidays. Lots of fresh air, exercise and I talk to great people all day.

What do you enjoy most about your position? Least? I wanted an opportunity to give back. But I get way more than I give. I didn't serve in the military and find Vets to be amazing people who all have a story. Recently one of our first customers of the day said he couldn't sleep because he was in such pain and drove 90 miles to the emergency room. Yet, he stopped on his journey to buy us donuts. The worst part of the job is worrying about the Veterans. When we don’t see them for a while, we hope it's because they are doing well.

Favorite movie of all time: A Christmas Story.  On my bucket list is to run a 5K at the house in Cleveland where it was filmed.

Three musicians/bands are playing at your birthday party, who would they be (Past or present)?  The early Beatles, Paul McCartney, and Elton John. I got to see him on his final tour.

Favorite local restaurant: Off Broadway in Monona. We have never left without anticipating when we can return.

Fun fact about you? I've never missed a scheduled day of work. 

If you could have lunch with any one person you’ve never met, who would it be? The list is long, but Bob Uecker is at the top.

Knowing what you know now, what is one lesson you’d give to your 18-year-old self? Be part of the solution. 

The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital posthumously inducted U.S. Army Sgt. Akira Toki into its Hall of Heroes during a ceremony November 10, 2022.

Born in Madison, Toki served the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the 100th Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team when he fought in Southern France, Germany, and Italy.

He spent the rest of his life in Madison and his family is believed to have been the first Japanese American living in the city. He volunteered over 23,000 hours at the Madison VA from the time it opened in 1951 until 2010. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 96.

The Hall of Heroes is located on the first floor of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in the main corridor on the wall near the Patient Education Resource Center.

Watch the ceremony here.

Media coverage: ABC 27 |  NBC 15 | CBS 3

Learn more about the Madison VA Hall of Heroes here.

Joi Wagner, emergency department RN, received the DAISY Award, which honors the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day. Her nomination was submitted by a Veteran’s family.

Congratulations to Kathy Vrydaghs for ringing the bell signifying her final chemotherapy treatment! 🙌 The retired U.S. Navy commander 🇺🇸 served for 26 years and is staying strong through this fight with cancer. We're right there with you! 💪