VA ECHCS News and Stories
National Former POW Recognition Day
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System will honor former POWs across eastern Colorado on April 9 at 11 a.m. in the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center chapel as part of a nation-wide effort for National Former POW Recognition Day.
April 9 was chosen as National Former POW Recognition Day as this was the date in 1942 when U.S. Army Major Gen. Edward P. King Jr. surrendered 78,000 troops (66,000 Filipino soldiers and 12 U.S. troops) and control of the Bataan Peninsula to the Japanese during World War II, according to the official VA website. To this day, it remains the single largest contingent of U.S. soldiers to ever surrender at one time.
It also commemorates the start of the 85-mile Bataan Death March, the forced march from the tip of Bataan (for most), and the thousands of American and Filipino troops who died during the march, in a hellacious box car train trip followed by another forced march to a makeshift POW camp at Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines that had only one spigot for water and poor conditions for many of the POWs.
Several POWs from the VA ECHCS area will be recognized by leadership for their courage, determination and survival during their time as POWs on April 9 in RMR chapel. Come out, celebrate and thank these veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Visit our VA ECHCS website for more event details.
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VA ECHCS Vet Beats Cancer, Tells Story
Navy Veteran Richard Smith had lived with cancer since 2012, but recently his scans came back clean! On Feb. 7, Smith received his final infusion treatment and rang the bell to signify his complete remission. On that same day, we were able to catch-up with Smith to hear a bit about his journey to recovery and his words of wisdom to other Veterans on the same journey.
Visit our YouTube page the hear Smith talk about his care at VA ECHCS and his road to recovery. Congratulations Rick on beating cancer!
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National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Coming to Denver and Aurora in May
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is a celebration of the creative and of Veteran artists in the VA health care system The festival will consist of a grand finale stage show, along with art and writing exhibitions that are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for veterans treated in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system. The event is co-presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Nationwide, VA medical facilities use the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. Across the country each year, veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in a local creative arts competition, culminating in the national event.
Approximately 130 veterans, representing all branches of U.S. military service, will exhibit their artwork, share their original written work, or perform musical dance or dramatic selections in a stage show. Local artists from eastern Colorado are also participating in the Festival. Additionally, veterans’ caregivers will enjoy special programming throughout the week geared specifically toward them.
If you are interested in attending the public stage show, visit our ticket page for free tickets or visit www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov for more information.
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Beneficiary Travel Now Available in Secure Messaging
Stay in the known! ECHCS Beneficiary Travel will no longer be using VA Health Support, but will now be able to secure message through My HealtheVet. Starting on April 1, 2024 you can find the option to secure message with them by their group titled, RMR-Beneficiary Travel_BT.
If you find that you are having issues and cannot message the Beneficiary Travel Team you can contact the My HealtheVet Coordinator, Larry Wilson, at 720-723-6279 or you can secure message *RMR-Ask My HealtheVet/Secure Messaging_Admin.
Visit our website for more information, or attend one of our Beneficiary Travel Reimbursement Seminars on April 17 or May 2.
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National Health Care Decisions Day April 16th
Advance Care Planning is an important part to Veteran Centered Care. Some say the second most important piece of information in a Veteran’s chart, the first being allergies! These important decisions are what Health Care Decision Day are all about!
By completion of an Advance Directive, a Veteran is able name the person they want the medical team talking to when the Veteran is unable to verbally communicate their medical preferences and wishes to the medical team. At Eastern Colorado we support Veterans talking to Veterans to reduce isolation and increase confidence about completing their own Advance Directive Class by attending a onetime 50 minute class virtual or in person through our Advance Care Planning Group Visit Program.
Visit our information table on April 16, at our Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center concourse, for National Health Care Decisions Day where you can meet our facilitators in person, by stopping by their table or by having your primary care provider send an Advance Care Planning Group Visit Consult under Social Work in CPRS.
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Remembering Our Veterans Program
The Remembering Our Veterans is up and running at the VA ECHCS! ROV is a "living history" video memoir program in which VA staff and volunteers engage Veterans in meaningful conversations about their military service and other significant life experiences. read a bit about Vicki's story below, and visit our ECHCS YouTube page, or use the link below, to watch her full interview and many more.
After completing her education and spending a brief time working for little pay, Martha sought a better professional opportunity and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Over the span of 20 years, she served as an Army nurse in military hospitals across the U.S., Germany, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Martha ultimately achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, with her last station before retirement being Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO.
Hear Martha talk about her journey on our YouTube page.
To learn more about the Remembering Our Veterans program and how you can get involved, please email rov.echcs@va.gov or call 720-723-3864.
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Recent Stories From VA ECHCS
Army Veteran returns to National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
By April Love, VISN 19 writer & editor
U.S. Army Veteran Brian Wells suffered a head injury so severe that medics didn’t expect him to survive. For this soldier, starting the healing process would require him to redefine his life.
A life-changing injury
While Wells was deployed in 2005, a bullet penetrated his helmet, causing him significant skull damage and leaving shrapnel in his brain. He underwent extensive surgery and miraculously pulled through, serving for an additional 12 years.
“I got lucky; I could still talk,” he said. “I had to learn how to walk again. My left side and left hand are still damaged.”
Wells also underwent reconstructive eye surgery at the time of the injury, yet he later lost his sight for about two years. When he moved from New York to eastern Colorado in 2019, Wells believed the high altitude positively impacted him because 90% of his vision returned.
Reconnecting as an athlete
Today, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, supports Wells in maintaining his health.
He wears hearing aids and lives with memory loss, yet his recovery has been a journey of determination and achievements in the face of adversity. He also rediscovered a hobby he enjoyed before his injury and started snowboarding again.
This year, Wells will join other athletes from across the country for the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado, April 1-7.
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For chronic pain, the human connection is the intervention
By April Love, VISN 19 writer & editor
There is hope for Veterans living with chronic pain.
Addressing pain with understanding
John Evans, a health science specialist with Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center’s Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, teamed up with Dr. Joseph Frank with VA’s Chronic Pain and Wellness Center to address chronic pain—persistent or intermittent pain that lasts more than three months.
In 2021, they wrote a grant to the VA Office of Rural Health to pilot a mutual aid-style group for rural Veterans with chronic pain. Within this format, Veteran volunteers, who also live with chronic pain facilitate the group for others experiencing similar pain challenges.
The grant was approved in 2022, birthing the Veteran-to-Veteran Chronic Pain Program at Rocky Mountain Regional VA.
“This is a program where Veterans connect and come together,” said Evans, a U.S. Army Veteran. “Our facilitators can understand and be compassionate in ways others cannot.”
Connection as intervention
Currently, five Veteran-to-Veteran groups meet weekly throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The program focuses on providing rural Veterans access to care and uses two group formats—storytelling or real-time challenges.
Storytelling involves a narrative, allowing Veterans to tell their pain story. Evans said some participants have never put words to their stories in the presence of others who understand.
“The human connection is the intervention, and we believe that in itself has healing properties,” he said. “It’s effective in treating many chronic conditions. Veterans are more likely to connect and be open and honest with folks who understand their experience.”
The second group format strengthens care navigation. It incorporates real-time, day-to-day challenges people face, with Veterans sharing and getting feedback about resources and what has worked for them. It’s about establishing better communication with VA and one’s care team.
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Beyond the Table – Nutrition Supports Your Whole Health
With the shift to warmer weather, now is the perfect time to rethink old habits and begin some healthy changes. March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Beyond the Table.” It encourages Veterans to focus on how good nutrition can support their health.
Foods and drinks are important parts of your Whole Health. Choosing healthy foods and drinks can help you:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Manage weight
- Control blood sugar levels
- Increase gut health
- Reduce symptoms of disease
- Maintain or improve mood and behavior
- Influence sleep
The mission of VA Nutrition and Food Services is to care for America’s Veterans with complete nutrition care based on science. With the help of a VA Dietitian, Veterans can learn how to choose nutritious foods to meet their long-term health goals. For recipes, videos, podcasts, and other resources, visit the VA Nutrition and Food Services National Nutrition Month resource page.
The National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention is VA’s primary source for healthy living education. In March, the focus is on the Eat Wisely message. Here are some ideas:
- Follow a healthy eating pattern that is right for you.
- Choose nutritious foods and drinks that you enjoy, reflect your culture, and fit your budget.
- Choose more vegetables and fruits and stay within appropriate calorie limits.
- Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium and limit alcohol.
Watch this short video to learn more about you can Eat Wisely, and check out fact sheets and more information here.
Veterans Canteen Service supports the well-being of Veterans, caregivers, family members, and employees through cafeterias, coffee shops, retail stores, and more. They care about what matters to you by offering a variety of food and beverage choices to meet your needs in a comfortable setting. To see what is in store this month, visit Food Courts - Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) (va.gov) or in person at your VA facility.
National Nutrition Month gives you and your loved ones a chance to practice healthful eating and physical activity habits, just in time for spring! Take advantage of all that VA offers to support your healthy eating habits, “Beyond the Table.”
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Work with VA ECHCS
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System is always looking for individuals with a passion for serving Veterans. In fact, many of our employees are Veterans. We have open positions in clinical, administrative and facility management positions. Make the difference in the lives of Veterans and apply to work with us!
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