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a newsletter designed to keep you informed of VA services, upcoming events and any other newsworthy information.
Greetings,
We hope you are staying cool and hydrated this summer and wish you a safe and happy Independence Day. In this edition of She Served, we are pleased to share an exciting staff announcement, as well as save-the-dates for upcoming events.
June 12th marked Women Veterans Recognition Day – a day chosen to recognize the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. We want to remind you that you belong at VA. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or disrespected, please reach out. There are many ways you can report harassment, whether you witness or experience it. You can inform the VA Police, patient advocate (602-277-5551 Ext. 2274), Women Veterans Program, a VA staff member or member of your health care team, Women Veterans Call Center (855-829-6636) or VA Customer Service (800-698-2411 option 9). To learn more, visit: https://www.va.gov/report-harassment/.
As a reminder, if you have any ideas for groups or any feedback about your care, please contact us at 602-277-5551 Ext. 6764.
With gratitude,
Kristen Nordquist, LCSW
Women Veterans Program Manager
Megan Giblin, LCSW
Assistant Women Veterans Program Manager
Contributed by Stacey Hodges, BSN, RN Lead, Clinical Video Telehealth & Virtual Health Resource Center
In February 2024, the Phoenix VA Health Care System opened a Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) designed to assist Veterans, family members, caregivers, and VA Staff in understanding and using Virtual Care. Our role is to help you effectively use Virtual Care Tools to access care beyond the traditional office visit.
Understanding how to use Virtual Care tools and telehealth modalities can be a challenge. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. The VHRC is here to help guide you through it. The VHRC offers:
- A VHRC Pop-up event every Friday in the ACC hallway at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. The VHRC Road Show goes to various CBOCs on the last Friday of the month from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Come visit us and learn about all the options for VA care.
- Our team schedules in-person, phone, or virtual appointments Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 AM -3:30 PM. We will meet you for scheduled in-person assistance at your clinic to assist you in-person with virtual care needs.
- Practice using VA Video Connect (VVC) thru VVC test calls to ensure you are ready for your VVC appointments. Troubleshooting VVC technical difficulties (e.g.: no audio, video, connection problems), etc.
- Creating Secure Sign-In Accounts (SSIA) for ID.me or Login.gov to be able to use My HealtheVet on VA.gov and access mobile apps that require SSIA.
- Enroll, assign, and use the Annie App – to help you take an active role in your health care.
- Assistance in using VA Apps, including apps designed specifically for female Veterans, like Well Within Coach, which helps address common challenges you may experience. To learn more about female-specific VA apps, visit: https://mobile.va.gov/appstore?filter%5Btypes_of_apps%5D=72.
- Helps you opt in or out of VEText
- There are many more ways we can assist you – call us at 602-277-5551 x 6680. Leave a message with your request and we will contact you within the next business day.
Our goal is to ensure you have peace of mind accessing virtual care options. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with all things virtual care.
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You can also receive reminders about your appointments and prescriptions using VEText. You are automatically enrolled in VEText if your phone number is on file with the Phoenix VA. However, if you have previously opted out, you can resume notifications by
- Texting START to 53079 for appointment reminders or
- Texting START to 53941 for prescription tracking.
Approximately 10% of female Veterans enrolled at the Phoenix VA Health Care System are not established with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Establishing care with a PACT gives you access to a team of health care professionals ready to assist you in your health care needs
PACT members include:
- Primary Care Provider (PCP)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Medical Support Assistant (MSA)
- Registered Dietitian (RD)
- Mental Health Professional (PC-MHI)
- Pharmacist
- Social Worker
Women’s Health Primary Care Providers (WH-PCP) have special training and experience caring for female Veterans. In addition to caring for chronic and acute care needs (e.g., thyroiditis, sinus infection, urinary tract infection, etc.), your WH-PCP also addresses your female-specific care needs, such as reproductive cancer screenings, birth control, management of perimenopause and menopause symptoms, etc.
Primary care is located throughout the Phoenix VA community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). To establish care with a WH-PCP, call
602-222-6550, option 2, option 2.
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Contributed by Women’s Health Psychologists
Rhonda Casillas, Ph.D., and Alexandra Pleasant, Psy.D.
Prior to joining the women’s health psychology team, Dr. Pleasant worked in the Phoenix VA Chronic Pain Wellness Center and General Mental Health. Drs. Casillas and Pleasant look forward to expanding women’s mental health services.
Our women’s health psychologists specialize in treating:
- Mood changes related to the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause
- Reproductive conditions (e.g., Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, breast or cervical cancers, etc.)
- Chronic pain
- Maternal mental health, including transitioning to motherhood and postpartum depression (and other conditions)
- Reproductive trauma, including miscarriage, complications during labor and delivery, etc.
- Impact of fertility treatment procedures and/or fertility-related mood changes
- Relationship distress
- Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback, which uses technology with slow-paced breathing to treat a variety of conditions.
To self-refer or to learn more about available groups or individual treatment options, call the Phoenix VA at 602-277-5551, and use Ext. 1554 for Dr. Casillas or Ext. 7975 for Dr. Pleasant, or ask your provider for a referral.
Connect with other female Veterans who are also having midlife changes like perimenopause/menopause/post-menopause. Learn helpful ways to boost your overall physical and emotional well-being.
Come find a safe space to explore concerns about midlife changes and connect with other female Veterans. Common topics are:
- Mood fluctuations
- Hormones and mental health
- Sleep
- Sexual health/desire changes
- Hot flushes (flashes)
- Body image, etc.
Topics are flexible. We will focus on your most important concerns.
How can I join the group?
Call Dr. Rhonda Casillas at 602-277-5551 Ext. 1554 to register.
When: Wednesdays
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Where: Attend virtually using VA Video Connect or in-person:
Jade/Opal Clinic’s Saguaro Room
Carl T. Hayden VAMC
650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012
Menopause is a natural part of life, marking the end of menstrual periods and changes in reproductive hormones. While all women go through this transition, research has shown that women Veterans may experience more symptoms and at an earlier age. VA offers support and care to help you manage these changes with confidence and comfort. Use the flyer below to help you discuss menopause with your provider, what you can expect, and what treatment options are available.
Our summer focus group will be held August 26, from 12:00 – 1:30 PM. Can’t make the August group? Join us on October 7, from 12:30 – 2:00 PM. The focus group is an opportunity to provide feedback on the perimenopausal and menopausal care you have received. To register, call the Women Veterans Program at: 602-277-5551 Ext. 6764.
Join us for our fall town hall on September 9, from 4:30 – 5:30 PM. We will announce the town hall topics at a later date.
The Phoenix VA Health Care System’s CRRC has updated its flyer – please see below for the most updated information on available services for unhoused Veterans.
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