a newsletter designed to keep you informed of VA services, upcoming events and any other newsworthy information.
This quarter we share information about maternity care services available to pregnant Veterans; tips for improving heart health; a women’s-only yoga class; and optometry and ophthalmology services.
In February, we invite you to attend our weekly virtual offerings featuring topics related to heart health, in recognition of Go Red for Women! These events will be recorded, and available on Facebook for viewing at your leisure.
March 10 marks National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Guest writer and Infectious Disease Physician Assistant, Laura Fox, shares facts below everyone should know about preventing HIV.
Read on for more information on how to register for the February 24 or April 28 focus groups, and how to attend the March 19 Women Veterans Tele-Townhall meeting.
Wishing you great health and wellness in 2025!
With gratitude,
Kristen Nordquist, LCSW
Women Veterans Program Manager
Megan Giblin, LCSW
Assistant Women Veterans Program Manager
Help raise awareness about heart disease in women by wearing red on Friday, February 7.
There are steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease. PVAHCS offers many programs to help you lower your risk, including weight management, whole health, tobacco cessation, mental health, well-being, diabetes prevention and management, etc. To learn more about how to reduce your risk or request a referral for care, call your Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at 602-222-6550 option 2, then option 2. Learn tips for improving and maintaining heart health by visiting the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” by clicking on the following link: Life's Essential 8™ for Women | Go Red for Women.
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-Contributed by Laura Fox, MSPAS/PA-C, Primary Care Provider for HIV positive Veterans
 Take charge of your sexual health! March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
HIV continues to be a global health concern, and women account for 1 in 5 new HIV cases in the United States. The VA has several ways you can manage your sexual health.
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Who should be tested for HIV?
- Everyone at least once in a lifetime.
- Yearly if more than one sexual partner.
PrEP to Prevent HIV
- PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
- PrEP is a highly effective HIV prevention option.
- PrEP is available at the VA.
- PrEP works for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
How do I get PrEP?
- If you think PrEP may be right for you, talk to your VA health care provider or call the self-referral number at 602-277-5551 Ext. 5314. PrEP is only available by prescription.
Why take PrEP?
- There are 35,000 new HIV diagnoses each year. The most common way HIV spreads is through sexual contact.
- 23% of HIV cases happen during heterosexual contact.
- The once daily PrEP pill lowers your risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and at least 74% if you inject drugs.
- PrEP does NOT protect against pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections. Combining PrEP with condoms will lower your risk of both HIV and other STIs.
Did you know…?
- Providers can order both internal (female) and external (male) condoms and lubricant through pharmacy.
- HIV and STI testing can be done anytime you are concerned, not just at your annual visit!
Learn more about preventing HIV here: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/index.html and living with HIV here: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/living-with/index.html.
Contributed by Maternity Care Coordinators, Patricia Balcazar-Mendoza, MSN, RN and Dana Nickleberry, RNC-OB, BSN, IBCLC
VA maternity care benefits were first included in the women Veterans health benefits package in 1996. In 2012, the VA expanded maternity care benefits for Veterans and created the Maternity Care Coordinator Program. Across the Nation, VA recruited medical professionals with knowledge and experience in obstetrics and maternity care to become Maternity Care Coordinators (MCCs) and manage the Maternity Care Program for all pregnant veterans.
Over the years, the Maternity Care Program has grown and continues to evolve and expand services. With feedback from maternity care program participants and the MCCs, the program has grown to include postpartum follow-up for one year, lactation services, birth control, and infant/childcare information.
Presently, the Phoenix VA Health Care System’s (PVAHCS) Maternity Care Program offers the following services either within PVAHCS or via community care providers:
- Education regarding VA Maternity Benefits
- Guidance for locating and choosing community care obstetrics & pediatric providers (newborn coverage is available for the date of birth and 7 consecutive days after birth)
- Support and counseling with ongoing obstetric and postpartum needs, lactation, nutrition, depression, family safety classes
- Lactation assistance, including a monthly lactation and nutrition class
- Nursing bras, breast pumps, maternity belts
- Guidance with billing issues
- Information on community & nationwide maternal and/or parenting resources
- Dedicated lactation spaces within the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad VA Health Care Clinic, and the Phoenix 32nd VA Clinic.
Unique to the PVAHCS’s maternity care program, and in collaboration with community partners and volunteers, the PVAHCS hosts a monthly Drive-Thru Baby Shower for program participants.
Phoenix VA Health Care System has two Maternity Care Coordinators, who can be contacted at the phone numbers listed below:
Patricia Balcazar-Mendoza, MSN, RN (602) 277-5551 Ext. 2847
Dana Nickleberry, BSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC (602) 277-5551 Ext. 2710
  
Join the Women Veterans Program on Wednesday, March 19 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm for our first townhall of 2025! Provide feedback, hear from facility leadership, and learn about programs and services available within Phoenix VA Health Care System.
You will receive an automated, recorded, reminder call from Phoenix VA Women Veterans Program Manager, Kristen Nordquist, on March 18 and again on March 19. The phone call on March 19 will allow you to join the town hall immediately via the press of a button.
If you miss the call inviting you to join, you can join by dialing: 1-855-962-1525 or streaming the event online: https://access.live/PHXVAWomenVets or https://www.facebook.com/PhxVAHealthcare/.
 The Women Veterans Program is hosting a focus group on February 24 and again on April 28 to obtain your feedback about how the VA environment impacts your health care experience. Registration is required. Please register by calling the Women Veterans Program at 602-277-5551 Ext. 6764.
Whole Health supports your health and well-being and centers around what matters most to you, not what is the matter with you. This means your VA health care team will get to know you as a person to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals.
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How is Whole Health different?
- Whole Health puts you at the center of your care decisions by focusing on self-care, skill building, and peer support.
- Whole Health encourages you to set goals based on what is important to you and work toward those goals with your health team.
- Studies show Veterans who use Whole Health services manage stress better and they report more success with weight loss, mental health concerns, and pain management.
 Phoenix VA Whole Health Services
Phoenix VA Whole Health offers a variety of individual and group services to empower and equip you to take control of your life and health. Below are some examples of the types of care provided.
Health and Wellness Coaching
Work on your health, wellness, and mindset with your own Whole Health Coach. Your coach helps you set goals and take action steps based on what you feel is important to you in a one-on-one setting. Whole Health Coaching is offered in-person, virtually, or by phone.
Well-Being Group Offerings
Well-being groups are offered Monday through Friday. Some groups focus on physical strength and balance to help lower stress and pain. Other groups focus on being creative and supporting others. All groups support your personal health and well-being.
Women’s Flow Yoga is available on Tuesdays from 9:00 – 10:00 am at Midtown Clinic and Thursdays from 9:00 – 10:00 am at 32nd Street Clinic Dates: January 6 – April 25.
Sign up by calling 602-277-5551 Ext. 1281 or secure messaging PXH VA VETERAN WHOLE HEALTH_WH.
Women’s Flow Yoga is a low impact, standing, mat-based, flow yoga class and will:
- Introduce basic postures and build skill and strength each week using physical alignments, breathwork, and mindful movement.
- Sun salutations will be used commonly for warm-up and throughout the session.
- All are welcome! Modifications are given throughout class to respect varying levels of yoga experience.
- Standing yoga helps improve balance, flexibility, muscle tone, strength, mental clarity, focus, and sense of inner peace.
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Cannot make this yoga class? The Veterans Yoga Project offers free yoga classes for Veterans. Learn more here: Mindful Resilience Yoga Classes - Veterans Yoga Project.
To start your Whole Health Journey with PVAHCS, call 602-277-5551 Ext. 1281 or secure message PHX VA VETERAN WHOLE HEALTH_WH. No referral is needed!
The Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) offers a variety of eye care needs through our Ophthalmology, Optometry, Low Vision, and Optical Shop departments.
Location
Thunderbird CBOC
9424 N. 25th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 Routine eye care
Services: Optical shop
Appointment needed? Yes
Location
Carl T. Hayden VAMC; 2nd Floor
650 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Services: Routine eye care & Optical shop
Appointment needed? Yes
Location
Phoenix 32nd St. VA Clinic
400 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Services: Low Vision, Blind Rehab, & Ophthalmology services (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, etc.)
Appointment needed? A consult is required for each service; speak to your provider for assistance.
Urgent and emergent walk-ins are welcome at the Thunderbird CBOC and Carl T. Hayden VAMC Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Specialty eye care/ophthalmology services and low vision/blind rehab services are available at the Phoenix 32nd St. VA Clinic. A consult from your provider is required to schedule an appointment for those services.
Appointments for routine eye care and the optical shop can be made by calling: 602-277-5551 Ext. 5314.
Coming soon!
The optical shop will be coming to the 32nd St. Phoenix VA Clinic and Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad VA HCC at a future date!
 Have you been hospitalized at the VA or any other hospital and experienced discomfort or dissatisfaction with the hair care products offered?
We’re looking for participants for a focus group regarding hair care within medical facilities.
The focus group will convene at the 32nd St. Clinic 1st Floor Education room, Feb. 7, at 9:00 am.
If you would like to participate, please email Dr. Miriam Robin at Miriam.robin@va.gov.
Seeking 10 Total Participants
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Demographics: 18+, All genders and all sexes, Any Ethnicity
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Any of the following Hair Types or Hair Care Needs:
- Natural, curly, coiled, or textured hair
- Chemically processed hair (e.g., relaxed or permed hair)
- Locs or braids
- Facial hair that is curly or coiled
- Individuals who regularly use specialized hair products for textured, curly, or coiled hair
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Experience with Healthcare Settings:
- Patients who have been hospitalized at the VA or other hospital
- Individuals who have experienced discomfort or dissatisfaction with the hair care products offered in medical settings
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