VA ECHCS News and Stories
Patient Lab and Test Result Letters Delayed
We've received notification from our printing and distribution partners that there is currently a delay and backlog of patient letters containing lab and test results. The letters are going out, but they are currently behind schedule.
Most patient mailings, like appointment letters, are printed and mailed in-house, but lab and some test result letters are printed and mailed off-site.
Patients wanting to ensure they receive and can review their lab and test results immediately should ensure they are registered for MyHealtheVet. Through MyHealtheVet patients are able to refill VA prescriptions, send secure messages to their healthcare teams, manage appointments as well as view lab and VA health records.
To learn more about MyHealtheVet review their flyer or visit myhealth.va.gov.
|
National Veteran Creative Arts Festival Closing Video
We can't get over how amazing the National Veteran Creative Arts Festival was this month! It was a great honor to be the host site for close to 130 Veterans from all over the country to come and share their talents. Big thanks to all the volunteers and donor that supported this festival, especially the American Legion Auxiliary.
If you missed the festival, or want to relive the magic, visit our Facebook page to watch the NVCAF Closing video or view photos from the week.
|
Beneficiary Travel Office Updated Service Hour
To support our goal of processing your travel claims in a timelier manner we will be closing the walk-up windows for the Beneficiary Travel Office 1 day a week. This will allow our staff to dedicate their time to completing your travel claims.
Starting Tuesday, June 11 until further notice. The Beneficiary Travel Office will close the walk-up windows at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA and Colorado Springs PFC Floyd Lindstrom clinics every Tuesday. This time will allow the BT office staff to focus on the processing of backlogged travel claims. Veterans can still reach the Travel Department by phone at 720-857-5419, and submit travel claims on the BTSSS online system or by mail. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are committed to improving our process and wait times. The Beneficiary Travel department will continue to be available for walk-ins on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Regional VA and 9:00 – 3 p.m. at Colorado Springs PFC Floyd Lindstrom clinic.
To learn more about filing your travel claim, watch our BTSSS Overview and tips video on YouTube.
|
Aurora VA Clinic Construction Update
Click the image to the left to see an enlarged picture of the current construction status of our new Aurora VA clinic location.
The new clinic will be named after deceased Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. John Mosley- a Denver native, civil rights activist, first black football player at Colorado State University, and prominent member of the Aurora community. The new clinic space will have primary care, mental health, radiology, lab, physical therapy, and a social worker on-site.
The clinic is slated to open in early 2025 and the address will be 21825 E. Quincy in Aurora.
|
Open Slot Management
Have you heard about VetText, a new way to get information about sooner appointments?
You may see texts from VetText (phone # 53079) asking you if you would like to reschedule one of your future appointments to an earlier date. When this happens, other veterans might also be receiving the same offer.
You may respond to the text in one of four ways:
(1) Type “Reschedule.” If you are the first to respond to the reschedule offer, you will get that new appointment, and the one you had before will be cancelled.
(2) Type “Keep” to keep your appointment. If other openings arise to reschedule that appointment, you won’t be notified.
(3) No response: You will continue to receive reschedule offers.
(4) Type “PASS.” To opt out of future offers to reschedule.
How can you get an sooner primary care appointment?
When you make your appointment, tell your scheduler that you would like a sooner appointment if one becomes available.
If you have questions, call (303)-399-8020, Option 2.
Visit the VHA YouTube page for more information on Open Slot Management.
|
Remembering Our Veterans Program
Meet Howard Massingill, a U.S. Army Veteran. Howard was born and raised in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area until 1981 when he joined the Army. Upon completing basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Howard began his military career with an overseas tour in Italy from 1983-86, before returning stateside and serving in the 1/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Howard attended and completed the rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course in 1987, graduating as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant in 1988. He began his Special Forces career with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), first at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and then at Fort Carson, Colorado. While serving in the 10th SFG(A), Howard was deployed in several positions of responsibility to Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and again to Iraq, along with several allied countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Howard retired in November 2007 after a 26-year career, then continued serving as a contractor before enrolling in the gunsmithing program at Trinidad State College in Trinidad, CO. Upon graduation, Howard opened a gun shop and gunsmithing service until closing in 2023. He continues to work as a gunsmithing instructor at Trinidad State, teaching gunsmithing techniques and firearm repair to U.S. Army civilians. Howard is married to the former Karen Coppage of Miami, Florida, and has two children (Michelle of Cumming, Georgia and Matt of Rio Rancho, New Mexico) and 4 grandchildren.
Visit our YouTube page to hear Howard talk about his journey.
Remembering Our Veterans 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. 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.
|
Recent Stories From VA ECHCS
Hummingbird Initiative takes flight at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
By Jesus Flores, VISN 19 writer & editor
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (VAMC) is participating in the Hummingbird Initiative to mitigate the looming mental health care professional shortage in Colorado and bolster diversity in the field by training aspiring mental health care professionals while they’re in high school.
The Hummingbird Initiative is a collaborative effort by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).
Veterans might face challenging situations during their service and when they transition back to civilian life. They might experience stress and trauma from combat, which can lead to issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
In 2023, more than 1.7 million Veterans received mental health care services through VA. Ensuring specialized mental health care access is crucial for assisting Veterans in readjusting to civilian life, managing mental and physical health and accessing support networks to reduce the risk of suicide.
Empowering future mental health care professionals
Colorado is expected to have a shortage of 36,000 health care workers by 2026, including in the mental health sector.
Dr. Katie Bakes, the medical director of the Hummingbird Initiative at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, saw this as a chance to help shape the future of Veterans’ mental health care.
“By participating in the Hummingbird Initiative, we hope to cultivate a pipeline of mental health care professionals adept to Veterans’ unique mental health care needs,” said Dr. Bakes.
The year-long initiative introduces students to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, depression and anxiety.
|
 |
VA Eastern Colorado volunteer, Diane Erickson, named Female Volunteer of the Year
By Jesus Flores, VISN 19 writer & editor
Diane Erickson has been named VA’s National Advisory Committee’s (NAC) Female Volunteer of the Year. She will be recognized at the NAC’s annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in May.
The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes VA volunteers who have given extraordinary service to our nation’s Veterans. Two award recipients, one male and one female, are selected each year by the Executive Committee of the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) NAC.
Erickson is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to enhance Veterans’ lives through her volunteer efforts at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (VAMC) and her broader community involvement.
“Mrs. Erickson is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who always goes above and beyond to help others,” said VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Center for Development and Civic Engagement Chief Eva Gergely. “She is a true inspiration to everyone around her and has had a lasting impact on our Veteran community, including our active-duty families at the local base. We are so grateful to have her in the VA Eastern Colorado family.”
Providing support and comfort
Erickson is a familiar and comforting presence at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, where she has volunteered for nearly a decade.
“The last, I’d say, about four years have been at the infusion center,” shared Erickson. “Twice a week, for four hours.”
Infusion therapy is a treatment option for severe and chronic illnesses such as cancer, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, dehydration because of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and other conditions such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, immune deficiencies and congenital diseases.
Erickson engages with Veterans by providing snacks, warm blankets and sparking conversations, turning routine treatment visits into opportunities for connection.
|
|
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!
|
