St. Cloud VA

UPDATE

September 13, 2023

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is September 15, 2023.

Though not here… their sacrifice is not forgotten. Their story is one of sacrifice and courage; their legacy, the gift of liberty.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency more than 81,000 Americans remain missing as well as approximately 132,000 Americans were held captive as prisoners of war (POW) in all US conflicts and wars combined to date since the 1941 (U.S. Department of Defense, n.d.).

Learn more about POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Join us for the Women Veterans Corridor Naming Ceremony on September 25, 2023

On Monday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., please join us in Bldg. 8 for a ceremony celebrating the naming of the Bldg. 4 corridor in honor of World War II Veteran Winnifred S. Galbraith. Vehicle parking is available in the Bldg. 1 parking ramp.  

The new patient and visitor parking ramp at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center is open for use!

Dr. Brent Thelen, Director; Cheryl Thieschafer, Associate Director; Breta Monroe, Nurse Executive; and Eric Blumke, VA Police Chief cut the ceremonial ribbon and greeted the first Veterans to park in the new parking ramp on July 31, 2023.

The ramp entrance is on the right as you approach Bldg.1 on the main drive.

The hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.

The parking ramp adds a net total of 200 additional parking spaces for patient and visitor parking. It is a fully accessible self-service ramp and is not equipped with additional or enhanced services. There are 29 handicap accessible parking stalls, elevator, and ramp for easy access into the Bldg. 1 main entrance.

Caregivers, escorts, and other transportation providers are encouraged to continue delivering Veterans with significant mobility challenges to the Bldg. 1 main entrance prior to parking.

Courtesy shuttle service is available for all patient and visitor parking areas, including the parking ramp, by calling 320-339-7009 upon arrival.

Those arriving for Urgent Care after 4 p.m. should park elsewhere so their vehicle does not remain in the ramp beyond 6:30 p.m.

Access to the ramp is restricted to vehicles under 8 foot 6 inches tall.

Located on the east side of the main drive just south of Bldg. 1, the 47,000 sq. ft. parking ramp has a total of 254 parking spaces on two levels, including a ground and basement level. The ramp is not a sloped style parking ramp; instead it features two flat parking levels. All vehicles will enter and exit the ramp off the main drive south of Bldg. 1. The traffic flow is 2-way throughout the ramp, there are no 1-way lanes. The parking stalls are at a 90-degree angle, allowing parking from either direction while on the ramp.

Please observe posted speed limits and traffic signs and be alert for pedestrians when visiting the medical center.

Upcoming Flu Vaccination Clinics for Eligible Veterans planned across Central Minnesota

During the upcoming flu season, flu shots for St. Cloud VA Veterans are available at most scheduled VA appointments starting in mid-September, at convenient walk-thru and drive-thru flu shot clinics, and through the VA Community Care Network. 

VA flu shot clinics are for enrolled Veterans only and shots are free. Walk-thru or drive-thru flu clinics do not require an appointment. Flu-shot only appointments cannot be scheduled.

Flu shots for Veterans at a scheduled VA appointment

• Veterans can get a flu shot as part of most appointments. Some services, like imaging, lab, and others, do not administer flu shots.
• Flu-shot only appointments are not offered.

Walk-thru flu shot clinics are available at these locations and times: 

• Cloud VA Medical Center, Bldg. 96: Sat., Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to Noon. 

• J. Beilke VA Clinic, 410 30^th Ave. E., Alexandria: Fri., Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• Montevideo VA Clinic, 1025 N. 13th St., Montevideo: , Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Drive-thru flu shot clinics are available at these locations and times: 

• Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) Parking Lot, 5001 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud (next door/west of the VAMC):
  • , Oct. 5 and Fri., Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• Brainerd VA Clinic Parking Lot, 722 NW 7th, Brainerd (enter via Essentia Health Sports Center parking lot at corner of NW 5^th St. and Jackson St.):
• , Sept. 27 and Thurs., Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Flu Shots Also Available through VA’s Community Care Network 

Eligible Veterans can receive free flu shots at more than 70,000 Community Care Network (CCN) retail pharmacies and urgent care locations.

Veterans can use the VA Locator to find a VA facility, in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location near them by visiting: https://www.va.gov/find-locations. You can also call 877-881-7618 for help in locating an in-network provider. Here is a handy tip sheet.  

Free COVID-19 Test Kits

While you may not need at-home COVID tests at this moment, it's important to have them on hand for the months ahead. Fortunately, free tests are available to Minnesotans through the Department of Health.

The tests can be ordered online at Say Yes! To Covid Test (https://sayyescovidhometest.org/). Those who don't have access to a computer or need other assistance can call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID hotline at 1-833-431-2053.

Households can order four tests each month, again while supplies last. Delivery is quick and convenient — right to your home address.

Individuals continue to have an important role to play in limiting COVID’s spread and harm. Having test kits at home and using them strategically remains an important part of preventing COVID's spread.

Minnesotans may still have unused COVID tests on hand that were acquired months ago. It's important to know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended the shelf-life of at-home tests made by two well-known brands — iHealth and BinaxNow to 15 months and 22 months, respectively.

If you have these tests and want to see if they're still good, consumers can check lot numbers for iHealth and BinaxNow tests online. This information is available for iHealth at tinyurl.com/iHealthCheck. For BinaxNow, go to tinyurl.com/BinaxNOWCheck. Some other brands have had shelf life extensions, too. Information about them is available from the FDA at tinyurl.com/COVIDTestCheck

PACT Act Claims Clinic

Were you exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange or other toxic substances?

Come to the PACT Act Claims Clinic:

• September 22, 2023, from
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Stearns County Government Center
  • 3301 Co Road 138, Waite Park, MN 56387

What you can do at the clinic!

• Enroll in VA health care
• Get a toxic exposure screening
• Ask about existing claims
• Start a new claim

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) representatives will be on site to assist with disability compensation claims by walk-in or appointment. Appointments are available but limited. Please call 320-255-6340 by September 18 to reserve your spot. 

What to bring to the clinic?

• A copy of your DD-214 or discharge papers
• any recent correspondence about a claim that you have questions about. 

PACT Act Claims Clinic Flyer

Join our Women's Health Focus Group

November 14, 2023, Noon to 1 p.m.

St. Cloud VA Medical Center

Building 4, Room 180, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303

• Help us cultivate a more welcoming and inclusive environment for women Veterans.
• We value your insight and recommendations.
• Enrolled Women Veterans of all ages and eras are encouraged to take part in this focus group.

Please contact Women Veterans Program Manager Rachel Moehn at 320-252-1670, ext. 6655 with any questions.

Upcoming PACT Act Education Seminars

• October 4, 2023: 1 p.m.
• November 1, 2023: 1 p.m.
• December 20, 2023: 1p.m.

Call 320-252-1670, ext. 7627 to reserve your spot! Attendance is limited to 30 people.

Unable to attend, but have questions about the PACT Act?

• Call our Eligibility Office at 320-252-1670 ext. 6340.
• Or Learn More at:

www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

Intro to Whole Health is an educational class that equips you to take charge of your health by emphasizing life-enhancing strategies, self-healing and self-care. In October the course is available at the following dates, times and locations. Call 320-252-1670, ext. 5401 to reserve your spot