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Women Veterans Program Manager Update
For this winter edition of the Women’s Health Newsletter, we share some of the programs and events we have at the Madison VA. Additionally, we have highlighted a woman Veteran who is 96 years old, our Peer Support Program and our growing focus on Trauma Informed Care.
As part of American Heart Month this February, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Heart Association are partnering to Go Red for Women to encourage women Veterans to take charge of their heart health and reduce their risks. Madison VA held our monthly Women’s Health educational event at the Main Hospital in the lobby area and staff wore red to show their support for the heart-healthy campaign.
We also have some exciting news for nursing Veterans: West Clinic and Beaver Dam Clinic now have lactation pods for breastfeeding privacy!
- Tami Towne, Women Veteran’s Program Manager
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Go Red at Madison VA
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. It is important for our women Veterans to know their numbers, understand what “heart health” means and know how to improve or maintain a lifestyle that supports heart health. Last week, we held our monthly Women's Health educational event where employees and visitors learned how to eat smart, stress less, and move more, all to promote heart-healthy living.
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At the Madison VA, we celebrate all women Veterans. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Helen Gurkow, M.D., Ph.D., a 96-year-old Veteran, who earned her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1958 and medical degree from Marquette University in 1960.
Gurkow was the first in her family to serve in the military. She started her service with the Army National Guard in 1979 after the nation sent a request to help the military fill a national shortage of medical providers. Gurkow trained as a flight surgeon and learned to fly the TH-55 helicopter, which she described as looking like a “bumble bee.” She was activated through the early 1990s during the Gulf War where they set up an 800-bed hospital. They were prepared for the worst.
She continued to serve in the Army National Guard until 1992. ”We enjoyed what we did,” Gurkow explained. “[Women Veterans] did a good job under difficult circumstances.”
We are grateful to Dr. Gurkow for her service and taking the time to share some of her story with us!
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Could a phone call help combat the winter blahs?
by Ann Boehlefeld
For many women Veterans, finding time for self-care may seem selfish, but for those balancing a busy work-home life, an hour a week might be the right call to make.
Winter was always one of my favorite times, making snow forts, having snowball fights with the neighbor kids, and sledding for what seemed to be hours. But as I’ve grown older, so has my dislike of the long, cold nights.
How do I combat this?
I like to keep myself active, both mentally and physically. I like to walk, read, write, and spend time playing board games with my family and friends. One of the other things I enjoy is talking with my chosen circle.
That circle has changed, both in who I have let in and what I’m willing to talk about. But, I know that having a connection to others is important, especially as we migrate from spending time outdoors to being continually indoors.
What if you don’t have a reliable support circle this time of year? There are two peer drop-in telephone calls available to Veterans. Strength and Recovery is a women Veteran’s after-hours call and the second is an afternoon Peer Call open to all Veterans. The purpose is to help our Veterans feel more connected with others and to share experiences, hopes, fears, accomplishments, and questions.
For more information about peer support, peer services and community socials, contact Rhea Vacha at 608-332-1628.
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What does "trauma-informed care" mean?
Trauma-informed care (TIC) makes the assumption that a person has experienced trauma in the past and acknowledges that trauma symptoms impact a person’s engagement and experience of receiving medical care and treatment.
The goal of TIC is to actively avoid re-traumatization of Veterans in our care by following the principles of safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment in all patient-staff interactions.
How is Madison VA involved?
We created a Trauma-Informed Care workgroup of team members from across the hospital to address and improve our care practices so they are aligned with TIC principles. We recognize that trauma has a wide impact and we are striving to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff. Our TIC workgroup is integrating knowledge about trauma into our policies, procedures and practices across our VA medical center and clinics.
How can Trauma-Informed Care benefit women Veterans?
We strive to empower women Veterans to work collaboratively with your providers to ensure safety and prevent re-traumatization. Throughout the hospital, we work to ensure that patients and staff feel psychologically and physically safe.
Learn more at Trauma Informed Care - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)
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She Wears the Boots:
Cardiovascular Risks and Disparities
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Dr. Karen Goldstein, a VA Women’s Health primary care provider and researcher, describes cardiovascular disease, risk factors and what the VA offers to support women who may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US and we encourage women to ask their primary care provider about their personal risk. Listen to the podcast at Podcasts - Women Veterans Health Care (va.gov).
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March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon – Madison VA Hospital, main lobby
Women’s Health Education Event: Brain Health and LGBTQ+ Healthcare
April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon - Madison VA Hospital, main lobby
Women’s Health Education Event: STI/STD Awareness
May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon - Madison VA Hospital, main lobby
Women’s Health Education Event: Mental Healthcare
June 12 from 9 a.m. to noon - Madison VA Hospital, main lobby
Women’s Health Education Event: Women Veterans Day
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