While stashing his carryon bag under the seat, Dan Lovnaria, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, accidentally brushed the leg of a man in his 70’s who had just taken the middle seat next to him on a flight to Minneapolis. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.” “Don’t worry they’re going to replace my hip next week anyway,” said John McPhillips, who had narrowly made the cut to get on the plane, he and his wife had been in standby. “Oh really, where are you getting going to get it done? “The VA.”...read more

The Minneapolis VA is committed to ensuring a safe environment. Last month, missing patient simulation drills occurred at various times to reach each shift of duty at the medical center. Vulnerable patients with certain physical or cognitive impairments require a distinctly higher degree of monitoring to ensure they are safe from injury or harm. This exercise allowed staff and volunteers to practice how to respond if there is ever a vulnerable patient missing. ...read more

Lisa Haake, a retired special education teacher, is originally from Texas. It was her children that originally got her involved with the Minneapolis VA, where she has been selected as Volunteer of the Month.  “Both of my kids were interested in medicine when they were in high school, so we talked with some doctors and they suggested that volunteer work at a hospital would be a good route,” said Haake. ...read more