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Director's Update
In January, Congress passed the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 (COMPACT), allowing Veterans in suicidal crisis to visit any health care facility, at VA or in the community, for free emergency health care. This includes transportation costs and inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, outpatient care for up to 90 days and social work. This increase in eligibility for free suicidal crisis prevention care is another step the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking to ensure access to emergency crisis care and to prevent Veteran suicide.
This effort comes on on the heels of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which passed in November. The PACT Act empowers VA to help millions of Veterans who were exposed to toxins and their survivors.
The PACT Act:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA Health Care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post 9-11 eras.
- Adds more than 20 presumptive conditions for burn pit, agent orange, and other toxic exposures.
- Requires VA to provide toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposure
- Expands benefits available for illnesses resulting from toxic exposure
We know there are millions of Veterans and survivors across America who are eligible for new health care and benefits as a result of the PACT Act and we are making every effort to ensure broad understanding of what the PACT Act includes so that everyone who is covered understands how they can access the benefits and services they have earned.
You can discuss your specific concerns or learn more about PACT Act – and apply – by visiting www.va.gov/PACT or call (800)-698-2411.
Lastly, I want to share that I will be retiring the end of April. Thirty-two of my 37 year career in health care have been at the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics. There have been a lot of changes in the delivery of health care during that time, but the thing that has never changed is the commitment and passion the staff here have for caring for all of you. It has truly been an honor to work along-side them on behalf of the greatest and most worthy population in the world, our Veterans.
Thank you for choosing the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics for your health care needs and I wish you all many blessings in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
John Rohrer
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Your Life, Your Story, Our Pleasure
 Every Veteran has a story that needs to be told and the My Life, My Story team is ready to help.
The program developed from an idea of three Madison VA employees in 2012 who saw the importance of knowing each patient’s story to help provide Veterans the best care possible. A pilot program the following year allowed VA to designate a staff member to lead the development and implementation of My Life, My Story. Thor Ringler, a prior therapist and poet, has been leading the charge the past 10 years.
During the process of documenting each Veteran's story, a VA staff member or volunteer does nothing more than listen. Veterans are free to talk, or not talk, about any part of their lives. It’s totally up to the Veterans what to share and they can stop the process or make changes at any point.
Once they have approved the final version, Veterans receive copies of their story to share as they choose. For some Vets, this is the first time sharing military experiences with family and friends.
The finished product becomes part of a Veteran’s medical file, giving providers the opportunity to understand each patient’s unique experiences and how that might affect the health and health care of their patients. My Life, My Story appointments are done over the phone, on a video call or in person, and take about 50 minutes.
“It’s really more of a conversation than an interview,” Ringler said. “We love talking to Veterans and hearing their stories. We’re there to listen to you, to learn from you, and to reflect what we heard as a story.”
Ten years and over 7,500 stories later, My Life, My Story is now available at over 70 VA hospitals. Of those stories, 3,300 were from the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics.
Your story can be next! Contact My Life, My Story staff at mystory@va.gov or 608-256-1901 Ext. 11962.
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In the Spotlight
Pat Emery
If you visit the Madison VA cafeteria, there is a high likelihood you will meet Pat Emery at the cash register. The youngest of nine children, he followed in his father’s footsteps joining the military and proudly displays his Army Strong tattoo on his arm. After serving six years in the military, he worked mostly in the food service industry. Emery went back to college at the age of 52, earning a degree in machine tooling and another in HVAC at Madison Area Technical College. He provides service with a smile and almost always has great tunes playing from his phone when you see him in the cafeteria.
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Name: Pat Emery
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Hometown: Reedsburg, WI
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Hobbies: Biking, hiking, camping
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Family info: My fiancé Jake and I have been together nine years
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Describe your military experience? I worked as a missile technician in Redstone Arsenal in Birmingham, Alabama, and in South Korea for about a year.
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What do you enjoy most about your current position? Meeting fellow Veterans
- Your favorite item served at the café? Cheeseburger
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Favorite movie of all time? “Stand by Me”
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You’re flipping through the channels on your TV, what is the one movie you’ll always stop and watch? “The Sound of Music”
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Favorite book? "Flowers in the Attic" by V.C. Andrews
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Three musicians/bands are playing at your birthday party, who would they be (Past or present)? Judas Priest, Pink Floyd and John Denver
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Favorite local restaurant? Rocky Rococo
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Greatest childhood memory/achievement? Getting my driver’s license
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If you could have lunch with any one person you’ve never met, who would it be? Roger Walters from Pink Floyd
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What made you choose the VA? My VA counselor suggested I work here to interact with and communicate with other Veterans and it’s been a great experience.
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What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self? Live for today and don’t worry so much about the future.
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 S.A.V.E. Suicide Prevention Training
Suicide is a significant issue in the Veteran community, but many who take their life aren’t receiving health care services at a VA facility. The Madison VA Suicide Prevention Team offers a free, 60-minute training to assist you in recognizing those who are at risk of suicide and what to do for a Veteran you may identify at risk.
Call 608-256-1901 ext. 11778 to schedule a training for your friends, team, neighborhood, church or any community group.
If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there is 24/7 support at the Veterans Crisis Line – dial 988 and then press 1. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.
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 The Healing Sound of Music
If you visited the Madison VA lately and heard live music, it’s not your ears playing tricks.
On occasion, volunteer Veteran musicians perform around the hospital to provide a laid back, comfortable atmosphere.
If you have musical talents and want to volunteer, call 608-256-1901 x17030 to discuss your musical experience, availability and location.
You may be asked to perform for staff prior to playing in outpatient areas. Performers can play in the main hospital or any of the community clinics.
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Can Statin Medications Help You Live Longer? Madison VA Wants to Know
 The Madison VA is looking for Veterans at least 75 years old to participate in a research study to learn if statin medications help with living longer and healthier.
The PREVENTABLE study investigates whether taking atorvastatin (also called Lipitor®), a drug commonly used to lower cholesterol, can help adults 75 and older prevent dementia, disability and heart disease. Those already taking medication from the statin family are not eligible.
The study will include more than 20,000 participants and nearly 100 sites across the U.S. It randomizes participants without heart disease or dementia to receive either atorvastatin or placebo. The placebo looks like the study drug but has no medicine in it. Researchers follow participants for up to five years and test their memory, thinking, physical abilities and monitor them for events such as heart attacks and strokes.
PREVENTABLE is designed to make research participation easy and efficient. Researchers follow participants using electronic health records, Medicare data and telephone follow-up appointments. Study medications are shipped directly to participants every three months. To learn more or participate, contact Hannah Zylstra (608-256-1901 ext. 17152; Hannah.Zylstra@va.gov).
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