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Veterans will not be impacted by a federal government shutdown

The federal government is set to “shut down” on Saturday, Sep. 30, unless Congress takes steps to avert the shutdown. Fortunately, VA Augusta Health Care System – including our outpatient clinics in Athens, Aiken, and Statesboro, remains fully funded and our operations and services to Veterans will not be impacted by a federal government shutdown. VA Augusta leadership is closely monitoring this situation. It is our hope that this is resolved shortly, and we will keep you updated every step of the way. Above all, we are grateful that we will be able to continue our mission of providing high-quality, compassionate care to local Veterans.

October 9 - Federal Holiday Closure Notice

This is a reminder that our outpatient clinics and administrative offices will be closed for the federal Columbus holiday on October, 9, 2023.

If you experience a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit the closest emergency room. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, dial the Veteran Crisis Line at 988, then press 1. For non-urgent, non-emergent matters, please consider communicating with your health care team via My HealtheVet Secure Messaging. You can manage prescription refills, schedule or cancel upcoming appointments, and access your healthcare records through My HealtheVet. To use the Secure Messaging feature, you must have registered on My HealtheVet as a VA Patient and have a Premium account. Learn more about Upgrading to a Premium My HealtheVet Account here: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home If you do not have a My HealtheVet account, take time and register today. Do not forget to opt-in to receive email notifications for secure messaging.

Committed to high-quality care

VA Augusta nurse receives national HeRO award for commitment to Veteran patient safety The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it honored VA Augusta Health Care System Registered Nurse Dondra Faison with its National HeRO Award for her contributions to VA’s Journey to High Reliability. “I am immensely proud of the work Dondra has accomplished,” said Robin E. Jackson, VA Augusta Executive Director. “Receiving a National HeRO Award means our staff members have integrated High Reliability Organization Principles and practices into the fabric of our daily operations and culture to ensure we deliver the best care possible. Veterans have a champion on their side when it comes to Dondra Faison.” The National HeRO Award is the highest level of HRO recognition available within the Veterans Health Administration and is reserved to honor employees who advance VHA’s Journey to High Reliability through the demonstration of HRO Principles. VA Augusta is a 1a, high-complexity health care system that employs about 2,700 employees and serves more than 50,000 Veterans each year at its two Medical Center sites in Augusta and its three outpatient clinics in Athens, Aiken, and Statesboro.

Athens Veteran Town Hall

On Tuesday, September 19, VA Augusta Health Care System senior leaders, subject matter experts, and Veterans Benefits Administration representatives joined together to help Veterans in the Athens community to discuss hot topics including PACT Act, Eligibility and Enrollment, Community Care, pain management and pharmacy.

It's vital to have your input and participation as we execute the best quality healthcare we can provide to our Veteran population.

Below, are some pictures from the event. If you missed it, we hope you can join us next time. Please like and follow our Facebook page and of course, keep yourself subscribed to this VA Augusta newsletter so you don't miss the many happenings for CSRA Veterans.

Coming 2024: VA Augusta will soon offer a Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) to support Veterans, their family members and caregivers, and VA staff looking to take advantage of virtual care tools.

VA Augusta’s VHRC will have health technology experts ready to provide guidance, hands-on support, training, help troubleshooting, and other information regarding virtual care tools, such as VA Video Connect, My HealtheVet, health apps, and devices.

For example, Veterans can speak with an expert to determine which virtual care options might be right for their health and lifestyle needs or how to get started with VA apps or set up VA-loaned devices.

The VHRC will host New Veteran Orientations with information on navigating primary care, pharmacy, My HealtheVet, eligibility, billing and copays, priority groupings, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, Veteran Identification Cards and more!

WATCH: https://youtu.be/aJDb9bgqD-k