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LBGTQ+ Health Program Updates
This November, we honor transgender and gender diverse Veterans. Everyone's service is respected at VA, regardless of gender identity. We're here to ensure a respectful environment where discussing gender identity is part of your health care journey.
The LGBTQ+ Health Program works to establish and maintain health care policy and education in support of best clinical practices for transgender and gender-diverse Veterans with the hope that they will choose VA for their care. Learn more at www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT.
For general information about resources at the Madison VA Hospital and Clinics, visit our LGBTQ+ Veteran Care website. As always, I am here to help navigate LGBTQ+ resources and answer questions for you. Feel free to reach out any time.
I can't thank you enough for your service to our country!
Sincerely,
Margo Edge
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator
Madison VA Hospital and Clinics
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Get to Know your VA Staff
Katie Wengel
I am a clinical speech-language pathologist at the Madison VA Hospital. My personal interests include spending quality time with my family (I have three kids, all three years old and under), traveling (my husband and I have visited 27 countries so far, but that was before we had kids!), scrapbooking and reading historical non-fiction books.
While working towards my master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I completed a graduate student practicum at the Madison VA and immediately fell in love with providing medical speech pathology services to Veterans. This prompted me to complete my clinical fellowship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. From there, I worked my way back to the Midwest until I finally landed my dream job at the Madison VA five years ago. I also hold board certification in swallowing and swallowing-related disorders as recognized by the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.
My goal as a speech-language pathologist is to make my patients feel heard, validated and more in control when it comes to their treatment plan by providing evidenced-based guidance and tools to achieve their patient-centered, personally meaningful goals.
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 VA offers a national voice and communication program specifically for transgender Veterans: the Gender-Affirming Program with Speech (GAPS).
Virtual sessions are available with a speech-language pathologist from one of 23 different VA locations in the United States. While Madison VA doesn't have a GAPS-trained provider, we do provide high-quality, evidenced-based voice evaluation and treatment services to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) Veterans.
The initial session includes a Veteran-driven discussion regarding the distress the Veteran is experiencing due to gender dysphoria, completion of intake questionnaires to better outline specific aspects of the voice that the Veteran is looking to achieve as well as completion of video laryngostroboscopy to directly visualize the voice box (larynx) and formally assess the vocal mechanism.
We understand the way we communicate helps to define who we are as individuals and for many TGD Veterans, a desired voice and communication style is imperative to expressing one’s gender identity.
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The Importance of Taking a Break
People who take a break are usually more productive and avoid high stress levels that can result in flight or fight responses. Additional benefits can include improving your focus, maintaining energy levels and cultivating awareness to make healthy choices.
For many, taking a break isn’t easy. Here are suggestions to implement taking a break throughout the day:
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Set a reminder in your calendar or on your phone
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Schedule check-ins with yourself throughout the day
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Change your surrounding during breaks
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Focus on eating during your meal breaks
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Do a mindfulness exercise, listen to music, go outside and listen to birds or just enjoy the sun on your face
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Utilize apps such as the Mindfulness Coach, PTSD Coach, and Beyond MST.
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Did You Know?
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Share Your Story
The Madison VA Public Affairs team is always looking to highlight our Veterans on social media, in newsletters and on other platforms. No matter your journey, there is someone who can learn from your experiences. We are proud of YOU - please consider letting us share your story. To discuss the possibility, contact LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator Margo Edge (Margo.Edge@va.gov, 608-256-1901 ext. 10762) or Public Affairs Chief Jim Bove (James.Bove@va.gov, 608-256-1901 ext.13484).
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