Wilmington VA Updates: Dialysis Suite Expansion

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 06/07/2024 12:10 PM EDT

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Wilmington VA Medical Center Update
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Dialysis Suite Moves to the First Floor with Expanded Services

Dialysis

The Wilmington VA Medical Center's Dialysis Suite has been relocated to the first floor. Wilmington’s dialysis unit will now be at a more accessible area and will increase capacity from 10 to 12 patient treatment areas. It will be more patient centered with treatment areas surrounding the nurse’s station. Moving the dialysis unit from the 5th floor to the 1st floor has increased its space from 2,400 square feet to 6,100 square feet and will have all new equipment to include two isolation rooms that are used for infectious or contagious patients that can still receive treatment. The dialysis unit will now also include a conference room that can serve as a patient education area.

June is PTSD Awareness Month

It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event (also called "trauma"). At first, it may be hard to do daily activities you are used to doing. Going to work or school, even spending time with people you care about, can feel difficult right after a traumatic event. But most people start to feel better after a few weeks. For some people, PTSD symptoms may start later, or they may come and go over time.

If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and treatment support such as private counseling, group therapy and medication. It’s never too late to get help, call 302-994-2511, ext. 4805

PTSD

June is LQBTQ+ PRIDE Month

VA is committed to creating a welcoming environment and improving healthcare for everyone, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Veterans. 

LGBTQ+ Veterans have unique health care goals and needs, which is why every VHA facility has a LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) to help navigate your healthcare. Our local VCC is Kaylin Bridgeman and can be reached at Kaylin.bridegeman@va.gov. 

Pride Counts at VA Sexual orientation and gender identity matter in health care. VA is here to serve You.

Veterans are invited to join in the annual VA National Virtual Pride activities - learn more. Throughout June, presentations will be offered online to Veterans and community members to participate and learn about LGBTQ+ Veterans and resources.

International Mens Month & Men's Health Education and Awareness Month

Every June, VA joins the nation in recognizing Men's Health Month by promoting annual health exams and recommended screenings for men.

Did you know that men are statistically less likely to visit the doctor for routine health exams than women?

Which may be a contributing factor to why men live, on average, five years less than their female counterparts. Annual health checks are an important part of maintaining good health for men of all ages,  and these checks are potentially more vital as you age, when recommended screening for several cancers and health conditions come into play.

Click here to schedule an appointment with your Wilmington VA Medical Center provider and get started on your health care journey today!

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Women Veterans Recognition Day is June 12

Women Veterans Day, also referred to as Women Veterans Recognition Day and Women Veterans Appreciation Day, is the anniversary of the day the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (pub.L. 80–625, 62 Stat. 356) was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. Prior to then, only women nurses could serve in the regular and reserve forces during peacetime.

VA Wilmington health care supports the health, welfare, and dignity of female Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely, sensitive, and quality care. A Women’s Health Nurse Navigator can help you get the services you need. Connect with our Women Veterans Program Manager Megan Flemmens 302-904-2511, ext. 4005 or  megan.flemmens@va.gov.

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Nominate a Veteran for the Wilmington VA Veteran Wall of Honor

The Wilmington VA Medical Center is currently looking for Wall of Honor nominations. The Wall of Honor was created to recognize a deceased Veteran who made a significant contribution in their community or during their military service. A panel made of Veteran community partners will select a nominee in each county to be recognized and displayed at each VA clinic's Wall of Honor in Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties in southern New Jersey and New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties in Delaware.

Veteran Wall of Honor

Applications can be found here. Completed applications and questions can be emailed to pao.wilmington@va.gov.

VA Health Chat

VA: Health and Benefits App

Enroll in VA Health Care Here

Memorial Day 2024

It was the 10th Annual Wreath Presentation at our Community Living Center conducted by the Garden Gate Garden Club to honor our Veterans for Memorial Day.

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Military and Veterans Career and Resource Fair

More than 100 Veterans attended our 2nd Annual Military and Veterans Career and Resource Fair on May 22, 2024 at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center in New Castle, DE.

Over 40 employers and resource programs conducted on the spot interviews, resume workshops for Federal employment and gave out helpful resources. Learn more here. 

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Uniting for Heroes: The Southern New Jersey Stand Down Supports Homeless Veterans

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Service leaders from all over the Delaware and southern New Jersey gathered to provide resources for almost 170 Veterans at the Southern New Jersey Regional Stand Down in the All-Wars Memorial in Atlantic City, May 22, 2024. See more here.

Healthcare Technology Management Week May 19-25

To recognize Healthcare Technology Management last week we highlighted two of our Biomedical Technologists! Read more here.

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Pictured first is Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist David Bargmann who has been at the VA for six months. Pictured second is Biomedical Engineer Sean Henderson who has been at the VA for 12 years.

Patient Advocates Now Available in the Clinics

What is a Patient Advocate? The patient advocates at VA Wilmington health care are specially trained to help you resolve issues with your care. If you've experienced any problems that you haven't been able to resolve by talking with your care team, please reach out to one of our patient advocates.
  • Cumberland County: First Tuesday of the Month
  • Cape May County: Third Tuesday of the Month
  • Atlantic County: Third Wednesday of the Month
  • Kent County: First Thursday of the Month
  • Sussex County: Third Thursday of the Month
  • Advocates are available Monday through Friday at the Wilmington VA Medical Center
To contact a patient advocate call 302-994-2511 EXT. 5436
VISN 4 Tele Emergency Care

 Call 1-833-3874    Available 24/7/365 

Are you experiencing a medical or mental health symptom and unsure what to do? Our nurses are ready 24/7 to help, and our providers can evaluate and determine next steps for treatment.

New PACT Act Section 103 Health Care Eligibility

All Veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving our country—at home or abroad—can enroll directly in VA care under the PACT Act. Specifically, this applies to three new cohorts:

  • Veterans who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
  • Veterans who performed active service while assigned to a duty station in (including airspace above) certain locations during specific periods of time:
    • On or after August 2, 1990, in the following countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates.
    • On or after September 11, 2001, in the following countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country determined relevant by VA. (Note: VA has not determined any other country relevant at this time.)
  • Veterans who deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, or Resolute Support Mission.

These cohorts were originally granted eligibility on a phased-in schedule between October 2024 and October 2032. By eliminating the phased-in approach and expediting the timeline to allow all eligible Veterans to enroll now, we can provide more Veterans with the care and benefits they have earned sooner.

events

New Castle County, DE Veteran Town Hall
When: June 27, Doors open at 4:30 p.m., leadership to speak at 5:00 p.m.
Where: American Legion Stahl Post#30, 156 A N Dupont Hwy, New Caste, DE 19720\

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Delaware State Fair Armed Forces Day
When: July 24
Where: Delaware State Fair, 18500 S. DuPont Hwy, Harrington DE, 19952

Interested in Working at the Wilmington VA?

Make the Difference. Learn about VA Careers by visiting: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/.  

 

Service members and veterans experiencing a mental health emergency can contact the Veteran Crisis Line at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 and select option 1 for a VA staffer. Veterans, troops or their family members can also text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.