Podcasts about vha

This Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the independent oversight efforts of the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) from October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.Visit the VA OIG's website to read the full report. For this six-month period, the VA OIG identified nearly $3.3 billion in monetary impact for a return on investment of $28 for every dollar spent on oversight. These figures do not include the inestimable value of the healthcare oversight work completed to help save the lives of veterans and ensure their access to top-level medical care.During this period, the Office of Investigations opened 256 cases and closed 213 (most opened in prior reporting periods), with efforts leading to 144 arrests. The OIG hotline staff triaged more than 17,000 contacts to help identify wrongdoing and address concerns with VA activities. The related work resulted in 598 administrative sanctions and corrective actions.The Office of Audits and Evaluations (OAE) produced 47 work products, including one VA management advisory memoranda on VA's progress related to reducing overdose deaths. Also included were 16 oversight reports and 30 preaward and postaward contract audits and reviews to help VA obtain fair and reasonable pricing on products and services. OAE reports for the six-month period resulted in 146 recommendations for VA improvements.The Office of Healthcare Inspections (OHI) continued to provide the oversight necessary to assess VHA's delivery of high-quality care and leaders' efforts to build and uphold a culture that prioritizes patient safety. Of the 36 oversight products OHI published in the last six months, 10 were for-cause reports responsive to OIG hotline complaints. In addition to seven national reviews, OHI released 14 healthcare facility inspections, three care-in-the-community inspections, one mental health inspection, and one vet center inspection.The Office of Special Reviews (OSR) conducted 21 investigative interviews and issued one report addressing VA's lapses in oversight of a grantee providing transitional housing services to veterans at risk for homelessness. Also during this period, OSR reviewed 12 allegations of possible whistleblower retaliation involving VA contractor's employees or grantees.

My conversation with Emily begins at 30 mins  Stand Up is a daily podcast that I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more Emily Feiner on Blue Sky  Emily on Facebook Emily Feiner, LCSW currently serves as the Chief of Social Work at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System (VANJHCS), a large healthcare system with 2 main campuses and 11Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). In that capacity she oversees a staff of over 150 professional social workers and support staff that provide a wide range of social work services in inpatient acute, outpatient and residential settings. Social workers at VANJHCS provide case management, discharge planning, program coordination, psychotherapy and educationservices. Prior to being appointed to her current position, Emily was the Program Manager for the Transition and Care Management (TCM) program at VANJHCS which serves Post 9/11 Veterans, providing case management and other support services. She began her career with the VHA in 2008 when she was hired as a CBOC Social worker at the Hudson Valley VA Health Care System. In that capacity she provided concrete services, case management and crisis intervention to Veterans in a Primary Care clinic. This allowed her to learn the VHA system inside and out rather quickly. Prior to joining VA, Ms. Feiner enjoyed a varied career in Social Work spanning over two decades. She worked with adolescents and young adults in schools and an outpatient clinic, homeless pregnant women in a maternity shelter, and was the Director of an Outpatient Substance Abuse Counseling Center. Ms. Feiner was also an adjunct professor of Social Work at Fordham Graduate School of Social Services where she taught courses in Advanced Practice, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Substance Abuse Treatment and Clinical Practice seminar. In addition, she also taught in the Human Services program at Westchester Community College. She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice since 1988. Emily has always had a strong commitment to her community and has served on the boards of several community agencies including HeadStart of Rockland and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. She was twice elected to her local Village Board of trustees. Ms. Feiner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College and a Masters of Social Work from Hunter College of the City University of New York. She has completed the coursework for a PhD in Social Work at New York University. She is the proud mother of two young adults, and enjoys going to hear live music, skiing and hiking in her free time. Emily Feiner, LCSW currently serves as the Chief of Social Work at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System Prior to being appointed to her current position, Emily was the Program Manager for the Transition and Care Management (TCM) program at VANJHCS which serves Post 9/11 Veterans, providing case management and other support services. She began her career with the VHA in 2008 when she was hired as a CBOC Social worker at the Hudson Valley VA Health Care System. In that capacity she provided concrete services, case management and crisis intervention to Veterans in a Primary Care clinic.   She worked with adolescents and young adults in schools and an outpatient clinic, homeless pregnant women in a maternity shelter, and was the Director of an Outpatient Substance Abuse Counseling Center. Ms. Feiner was also an adjunct professor of Social Work at Fordham Graduate School of Social Services where she taught courses in Advanced Practice, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Substance Abuse Treatment and Clinical Practice seminar. In addition, she also taught in the Human Services program at Westchester Community College. She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice since 1988.   Emily has always had a strong commitment to her community and has served on the boards of several community agencies including HeadStart of Rockland and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. She was twice elected to her local Village Board of trustees. Ms. Feiner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College and a Masters of Social Work from Hunter College of the City University of New York. She has completed the coursework for a PhD in Social Work at New York University. She is the proud mother of two young adults, and enjoys going to hear live music, skiing and hiking in her free time. Join us Monday's and Thursday's at 8EST for our Bi Weekly Happy Hour Hangout's !  Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art  Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift

Each month, the VA Office of Inspector General publishes highlights of our investigative work, congressional testimony, and oversight reports. In March 2025, the VA OIG published 17 reports that included 101 recommendations. Report topics varied from a review of VHA and VBA fiscal year 2024 supplemental funding requests and mental healthcare services at a Massachusetts' VA medical center to a review of the veteran self-scheduling process for community care and supply and equipment management deficiencies at a Texas VA medical center. VA OIG investigations led to the sentencing of a pharmacy operator who conspired with various doctors to charge government agencies for medically unnecessary compound prescriptions, pain creams, scar gels, and multivitamins primarily to patients covered under the Office of Workers' Compensation Program. Elsewhere, a government subcontractor was sentenced to 12 months' probation and ordered to pay restitution of more than $493,000 after previously pleading guilty to bank fraud. The company fraudulently obtained a Small Business Administration-backed Paycheck Protection Program loan. The company's owner also agreed to pay more than $1.1 million as part of a civil settlement to resolve his own civil liability.  This latest podcast episode of Veteran Oversight Now highlights the VA OIG's oversight work from March 2025, including four healthcare facility inspections reports on facilities in Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, DC.  Related Reports: The Causes and Conditions That Led to a $12 Billion Supplemental Funding Request Review of VA's $2.9 Billion Supplemental Funds Request for FY 2024 to Support Veterans' Benefits Payments Inadequate Governance Structure and Identification of Chief Mental Health Officers' Responsibilities  

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Shereef Elnahal, MD, MBA Under Secretary for Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs, joins Eric to discuss the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans. The conversation explores the VA's groundbreaking initiatives, including their funding of studies on MDMA and psilocybin, and how these therapies address conditions like PTSD, depression, and addiction.    Dr. Elnahal highlights the VA's role as a leader in mental health research and shares a vision for how these breakthrough therapies could revolutionize care for millions. Learn how veterans themselves have driven this agenda, the promising outcomes from early studies, and the significant hurdles in bringing these therapies to scale.    Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of mental health treatment for veterans and how the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies could revolutionize care and improve the quality of life for those who have served.   About Dr. Elnahal Dr. Shereef Elnahal is Under Secretary for Health at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate on July 21, 2022. As the Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Elnahal directs a health care system with an annual budget of approximately $102.2 billion, overseeing the delivery of care to more than 9 million enrolled Veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at over 1,300 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,120 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics). VHA is the nation's largest provider of graduate medical education and a major contributor to medical and scientific research. More than 73,000 active volunteers, 127,000 health professions trainees, and more than 362,000 health care professionals and support staff are an integral part of the VHA community.   Dr. Elnahal is physician leader who previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital in Newark, NJ from 2019 through 2022. Dr. Elnahal led University Hospital through the COVID-19 public health emergency. The hospital has served as a model for urban hospital and regional response efforts. In addition to his leadership during the pandemic, Dr. Elnahal oversaw substantial improvements in care quality and patient safety at University Hospital, leading to improvements against national benchmarks. Prior to his time at University Hospital, Elnahal served as New Jersey's 21st Health Commissioner, appointed to the Cabinet post by Governor Phil Murphy and confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate. During his nearly two years as Commissioner, he expanded the New Jersey Health Information Network, an interoperability platform that allows for electronic exchange of patient health information among healthcare providers. He worked closely with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy on her Nurture NJ campaign to help improve infant and maternal health outcomes and reduce health disparities—a mission he continued at University Hospital, with its top tier maternal health services. He also made strides in curbing the opioid epidemic, granting funding to institutions to facilitate data sharing and public health reporting, and marked NJ as the first state in the nation to allow EMS responders to use buprenorphine in the field to prevent withdrawal after naloxone. Dr. Elnahal previously served as VA's Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value from 2016 through 2018, overseeing national policies around quality of care for the VHA, and as a White House Fellow in the VA from 2015-16. During that time, he co-founded the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, a program that continues to foster the spread of innovation and best practices that improve Veteran care across the nation. Dr. Elnahal holds an M.D. from Harvard Medical School and an M.B.A. with Distinction from Harvard Business School. Press Release from VA New research would determine the benefit of psychedelics for treating PTSD and depression in Veterans: https://news.va.gov/press-room/to-improve-care-for-veterans-va-to-fund-studies-on-new-therapies-for-treating-mental-health-conditions/   VA Health: https://www.va.gov/health-care/   VA Mental Health Resources: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp   Bright Spots in Healthcare is produced by Bright Spots Ventures Bright Spots Ventures brings healthcare leaders together to share working solution or "bright spots" to common challenges. We build valuable and meaningful relationships through our Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, webinar series, leadership councils, customized peer events, and sales and go-to-market consulting. We believe that finding a bright spot and cloning it is the most effective strategy to improve healthcare in our lifetime. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com

As the oldest of 10 children on a farm in Northwest Ohio, David grew up playing and singing gospel, country, and bluegrass. David has a Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University in Marriage and Family Therapy. David recently retired from his 40 year career of providing 'Whole Health' education at various Universities and for the VHA. In addition to performing music at White Stallion Ranch and other venues, he consults in the area of Whole Health. Also, he provides guest ranch services at his Ranch in Aravaipa Canyon.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Join us as we welcome Dr. Jonathan Perlin, President and CEO of The Joint Commission, the world-wide leader in accreditation of healthcare institutions. The session explores and provides a personal journey, as a physician and researcher who served as Under Secretary for Health and CEO of the Veterans Health Administration.  After his work with the VHA, Dr. Perlin later became the President of Clinical Operations and Chief Medical Officer with HCA Healthcare. Dr. Perlin provides valuable insights to early careerists entering the world of a profession that balances health equity, environmental sustainability, learning and performance integration. To learn more about Dr. Jonathan Perlin:  https://www.jointcommission.org/who-we-are/joint-commission-officers-group/jonathan-b-perlin/

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. Leah  discusses military sexual trauma (MST) and the resources available through the VA for veterans who have experienced it. She explains MST as encompassing any unwanted sexual activity during military service, including harassment, assault, or coercion, and notes its lasting impact on individuals. Leah highlights VA-provided support, including fact sheets, MST coordinators, and various therapies like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). She emphasizes the importance of seeking help, acknowledging the challenges of addressing MST within a military culture that often stigmatizes vulnerability. The video also introduces a mobile app and community-based vet center counseling options, urging veterans to take advantage of these resources for their mental and physical well-being.

Drex highlights three critical updates for the healthcare and security community: the FBI's alert on holiday-season email scams, the NIH's new AI tool for clinical trial matching, and a data breach affecting over 2,000 veterans at the VHA. Learn actionable tips to safeguard your organization during this season and stay informed on emerging AI healthcare innovations.Remember, Stay a Little Paranoid Subscribe: This Week Health Twitter: This Week Health LinkedIn: Week Health Donate: Alex's Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.In this episode, Leah discusses Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gulf War Veterans.

Trauma is highly prevalent in the general population in various forms--adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), natural disasters, medical illness, and community violence are several examples. U.S. Military Veterans have unique exposures to trauma in the course of their service. The aftereffects of trauma can impact Veterans' health as well as their experience with health care. In this podcast, VHA healthcare professionals discuss how to practice person-centered, trauma-informed care with Veterans.  

With over nine million veterans enrolled, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is well known for its health care services. However, the VA's support extends beyond medical care, helping veterans navigate life after military service. The VA has undergone a significant transformation since the establishment of the Veterans Experience Office in 2015, focusing on improving veterans' experiences through the use of qualitative and quantitative veteran-customer service data.In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health at the VA, shares insights on the organization's evolving approach to health care and the patient experience by discussing:The role of the VA and its evolution in approaches to health care; Transformation through leadership and the creation of the Veterans Experience Office; Holistic attitude to health care through the ‘My life, my story' project; and, Broader applications of VA initiatives in other health care settings Guest Bio: Dr. Clancy serves as the Assistant Under Secretary for Health (AUSH) for Discovery, Education & Affiliate Networks (DEAN), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), effective July 22, 2018. The Office of the DEAN fosters collaboration and knowledge transfer with facility-based educators, researchers, and clinicians within VA, and between VA and its affiliates. Prior to her current position, she served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the second-largest Cabinet department, with a $246 billion budget and over 424,000 employees serving in VA medical centers, clinics, benefit offices, and national cemeteries, overseeing the development and implementation of enterprise-wide policies, programs, activities and special interests. She also served as the VHA Executive in Charge, with the authority to perform the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Health, directing a health care system with a $68 billion annual budget, overseeing the delivery of care to more than 9 million enrolled Veterans. Previously, she served as the Interim Under Secretary for Health from 2014-2015. Dr. Clancy also served as the VHA AUSH for Organizational Excellence, overseeing VHA's performance, quality, safety, risk management, systems engineering, auditing, oversight, ethics and accreditation programs, as well as ten years as the Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 

Tandi Bagian earned a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the University of Washington in 1979. She was employed by NASA's Johnson Space Center and served as Lead Instructor for Astronaut Crew Training; Flight Projects Manager for the Space Biomedical Research Institute; and Head of the Crew Interface Analysis Section. This last position involved supervising six Human Factors Laboratories to support NASA's Space Shuttle and Space Station missions. She also was a Principal Science Coordinator for Exploration Human Factors, and in that capacity informed the Agency's Advanced Human Support Technology roadmap in preparation for Mars Exploration mission definition. In 1995, Tandi transferred from NASA to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and worked at the EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor. Along the way, she earned a Master of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1999. In 2012, Tandi joined the Department of Veteran Affairs as Director, Human Factors Division for the VA National Center for Patient Safety. That team created an award-winning Patient Safety Boot Camp' training for Biomedical Engineers across the entire VHA. With a vision to make sure patient safety is everyone's business', NCPS created strong technical partners across the over 170 VA Medical Centers, as well as with industry partners, to assist Healthcare professionals in providing ‘safer systems, safer care'. With 46 years of Federal Service, Ms. Bagian retired in 2022 and quickly became Associated with the NASA Engineering and Safety Center's Human Factors Technical Discipline Team.  And this is where we met. This HF team is responsible for responding to requests for analysis and review of human factors issues across the NASA Centers and Commercial/International Partners committed to NASA's Moon2Mars mission. Learn more about Tandi: NESC Academy Where to find the hosts: Brian Moon ⁠⁠Brian's website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Brian's LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Brian's Twitter⁠⁠ Laura Militello ⁠⁠Laura's website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Laura's LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Laura's Twitter⁠⁠

As the nation's largest integrated health care provider, the Veterans Health Administration prioritizes how technology can address challenges in how it is delivering patient care and securing its infrastructure. Indra Sandal, chief of innovation at VHA in Tampa, Florida, breaks down how more than 300 participants collaborated and addressed challenges in a three-day hackathon. She highlights the takeaways from that hackathon and what it means for veterans. David Rhew, global chief medical officer at Microsoft, also discusses how the organization supported the hackathon and what lessons learned the public-private partnership has for the future of VA health care.

This week Al Montoya, the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) acting under secretary for Health for Support, and Spencer Roberts, executive director for Logistics at VHA, join Off the Shelf for a briefing highlighting the VHA's key strategic priorities.Montoya and Roberts outline VHA's strategic efforts in bringing more veterans to the VA and ensuring those veterans receive best in class benefits, care, and support programs.Montoya shares how The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act has increased veteran enrollment by expanding eligibility for VA healthcare for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post 9/11 erRoga.Roberts discusses VHA's key procurement and logistics developments, including the new MSPV contract vehicle, the focus on supply chain resiliency, and the VHA's recent logistics conference.Montoya also highlights the growing strategic partnership with the Defense Healthcare Agency (DHA) whereby VHA and DHA are sharing resources in markets across the country to deliver care to veterans.Finally, both guests share how, as veterans themselves and customers of the VHA, their personal experiences have helped inform their leadership at the VHA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Al Montoya, the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) acting under secretary for Health for Support, and Spencer Roberts, executive director for Logistics at VHA, join Off the Shelf for a briefing highlighting the VHA's key strategic priorities. Montoya and Roberts outline VHA's strategic efforts in bringing more veterans to the VA and ensuring those veterans receive best in class benefits, care, and support programs. Montoya shares how The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act has increased veteran enrollment by expanding eligibility for VA healthcare for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post 9/11 erRoga. Roberts discusses VHA's key procurement and logistics developments, including the new MSPV contract vehicle, the focus on supply chain resiliency, and the VHA's recent logistics conference. Montoya also highlights the growing strategic partnership with the Defense Healthcare Agency (DHA) whereby VHA and DHA are sharing resources in markets across the country to deliver care to veterans. Finally, both guests share how, as veterans themselves and customers of the VHA, their personal experiences have helped inform their leadership at the VHA.

In this episode we hear from Dr. Christine Kolehmainen, the director of Education for the Office of Women's Health who is also a Women's Health Primary Care Provider with the VHA. Dr. Kolehmainen discusses healthy aging and steps that women Veterans can take to enhance their wellness across the lifespan. She also discusses a few resources available in VA that target overall-wellbeing.  For more information on specific concepts related to this episode, we recommend listening to past recordings on menopause, osteoporosis, heart health, and more! You can also access electronic versions of Women's Health brochures on Healthy Aging and Healthy Reproductive Aging.

What is the mission of the Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)? How is it using virtual reality and other immersive technologies to change how the department serves veterans? What does the future hold for the VHA's Strat Lab? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Anne Bailey, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Lab within the Veterans Health Administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the mission of the Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)? How is it using virtual reality and other immersive technologies to change how the department serves veterans? What does the future hold for the VHA's Strat Lab? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Anne Bailey, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Lab within the Veterans Health Administration.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Prior to joining the faculty at UAB, Dr. Eagerton was a nurse and Chief Nursing Officer for 31 years in the Veterans Health Administration before retiring in October 2017. As Chief Nursing Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer in VHA hospitals, he led over 3,000 employees and the operations providing care for over 70,000 Veterans. 

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Ronald Rutherford, the Lead for the Whole Health Outreach program for the Veterans Health Administration. Whole Health is VA's approach to care that supports the health and well-being of veterans they serve, and focuses on self-care, skill building and support.  About Today's GuestRonald “Ron” Rutherford is the Lead for Whole Health Outreach with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT). Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he is responsible for liaising with non-governmental and Veteran Service Organizations for the purposes of bringing awareness to VHA's Whole Health offerings for Veterans and their families. Ron joined OPCC&CT in November 2011 as a Field Implementation Consultant for VA medical facilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Prior to joining VHA, he served 26 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. As an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman, Ron served on multiple ships as the primary healthcare provider and healthcare consultant for Occupational and Environmental health programs. During his time in the Navy, he also managed short based and overseas medical facilities, and his last assignment involved managing 11 shipboard medical departments and their staff in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ron has a BSHS in Clinical Health Science (Pre-Physician Assistant Studies) and a MSHS in Healthcare Management from The George Washington University.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeVA Whole Health Program WebsiteWhole Health Program Points of Contact at local VA FacilitiesComplementary and Integrative Health Overview and DescriptionsPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Communicating With Veterans. This course discusses how to communicate effectively with Veterans using communication tools, such as open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflections. You can see find the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/communicating-with-veterans This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam.Leah discusses the Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), a condition many veterans suffer from, and its relationship with VA disability. TMJD can be related to service either primarily (diagnosed during service and persistent thereafter) or secondarily (related to other conditions like mental health issues or facial injuries). Veterans filing a claim for TMJD will likely undergo a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, mostly conducted by contract companies, not the VA. During the exam, dental professionals evaluate the veteran using a Disability Benefits Questionnaire for TMJ, which focuses heavily on the range of motion of the jaw. Ratings for disability due to TMJD can range up to 50% based on several variables, including diet and jaw movement limitations. Leah emphasizes consulting legal professionals to understand the ratings and refers to her other videos for more insights on TMJD.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Hypothyroidism C&P Exam.Leah explains hypothyroidism and its relevance to VA disability evaluations. Hypothyroidism, often autoimmune (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), is characterized by an underactive thyroid, leading to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, menstrual changes, and memory issues. Leah discusses how hypothyroidism can be primary (diagnosed in active duty) or secondary (caused/worsened by another service-connected disorder). She advises veterans on the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam process following a disability claim, emphasizing the role of the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) in documenting symptoms and their impact on daily life and work.

The Veterans Health Administration recently expanded health care benefits to all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other combat zone after 9/11. Behind the scenes, the agency is spearheading many initiatives to further enhance interoperability around its health care ecosystem to better serve veteran patients. Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal discusses with us at HIMSS in Orlando, Florida, some of the updates around the PACT Act, open APIs and artificial intelligence, plus what programs like Mission Daybreak and innovations like ambient technology have on the transforming health care experience.

On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Christopher Watson. Dr. Watson is a psychologist who began his VA career in 1993, is the VISN 19 Chief Mental Health Officer and has been serving as the Acting Executive Director of the Veterans Crisis Line since late August 2023. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Division 18 (Public Practice section) of the American Psychological Association, and the VA Psychology Leaders group. He also regularly provides coaching and mentoring to mental health leaders across the organization, and he has an absolute passion for issues pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has particularly demonstrated leadership in addressing systemic racism on the local and national level in VHA, providing numerous presentations and trainings related to diversity and inclusion. Listen in as Dr. Christopher Watson shares the impact insight has on effective leadership, both for the leader and their team.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E3.pdf ===============================Key Lessons: Being an insightful leader takes work and courage, but it fosters trust, empathy, and authenticity within teams.Leaders who are reflective can operate and communicate with clarity to others.It's important for leaders to use their influence to sponsor the growth and opportunities for others. Having enough insight to realize this does not take from your opportunities is integral.Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

What is the mission of the Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)? How is it using virtual reality and other immersive technologies to change how the department serves veterans? What does the future hold for the VHA's Strat Lab? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Anne Bailey, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Lab within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 

What is the mission of the Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)? How is it using virtual reality and other immersive technologies to change how the department serves veterans? What does the future hold for the VHA's Strat Lab? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Anne Bailey, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Lab within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Frozen Shoulder Syndrome and Veterans' Disability.Leah discusses VA disability ratings for sleep apnea, with a focus on the 50% rating. Although ratings may change and there's been talk of alterations recently, at the time of the video, the ratings have remained stable. Sleep apnea can be classified as obstructive, central, or mixed type. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100% to sleep apnea based on severity and required treatments. A 0% rating means the veteran has the disorder but is asymptomatic. A 30% rating indicates daytime sleepiness unimproved by sufficient sleep. A 50% rating is given to those using a breathing device like CPAP or a mouth guard. The 100% rating, which is rare, is assigned for chronic respiratory failure, requiring a tracheostomy or having chloropulmonol. Leah emphasizes the difference between having a breathing device and requiring its use, as this distinction can affect the rating percentage. She advises those navigating the rating system to consult a legal professional or VA-accredited representative for guidance.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Gout and Hypertension in Veterans' Disability.Leah discusses the connection between gout and hypertension, particularly in the context of veterans' disability claims. Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricemia (excess uric acid in the body), often presents as painful flare-ups, commonly in the big toe. Leah highlights risk factors like being male, obesity, certain health conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), and lifestyle choices (e.g., alcohol consumption, diet high in purines). She explains how hypertension and the use of diuretics for its treatment can be significant risk factors for developing gout. Leah then guides veterans on how gout can be service-connected, either directly or secondarily, due to other conditions or risk factors like obesity or mental health issues with alcohol use. She references several research articles that support the relationship between hypertension and gout, emphasizing the importance of discussing these findings with healthcare providers to explore potential service-related connections.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Hip Pain Secondary to Knee Injuries in Veterans Disability.Leah discusses the connection between hip pain and knee injuries in the context of VA disability. She emphasizes that hip pain can be service-connected either directly (due to an injury sustained while on active duty) or secondarily, where an existing service-connected condition, like a knee injury, leads to hip problems. Using her own experience with a foot injury leading to hip pain, she illustrates how impairments in one area can impact others. Leah highlights research on how knee osteoarthritis affects hip and ankle mechanics and the significance of the kinetic chain theory, indicating that issues in one joint can influence adjacent joints.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Hip Pain C&P Exam.Leah explains the process of a compensation and pension (C&P) exam for hip pain. She highlights how hip pain can be service-connected either as a primary condition (like an injury during active duty) or secondarily (due to other service-related conditions). When filing a claim for VA disability, veterans can do it alone or with legal assistance and will receive a packet detailing the exam specifics. The key component of the exam is the Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ), which assesses the veteran's hip condition, including diagnosis, onset, flare-ups, functional loss, and range of motion. Leah emphasizes the importance of understanding the DBQ and range of motion measurements, suggesting veterans view it before the exam to reduce anxiety and better prepare.

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Ashley Hammond and Stacey Lewis from the VA's Pathfinder Program, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Innovation Ecosystem. Pathfinder is a website and digital tool designed to facilitate designed to facilitate connections between external innovators, vendors, and VA employees in order to improve health care delivery for Veterans.About Today's GuestsStacey Lewis has served the VHA for over a decade in both clinical and administrative roles. She started her career as a Radiologic Technologist at the VA Maine HCS before moving under the Quality Management Service Line, where she now leads strategic operations as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Candidate at the New England Center for Innovation Excellence (NECIE). Stacey recently served as an FY23 VHA Entrepreneur in Residence Fellow with the VHA Innovation Ecosystem where she led the national design and implementation of the VA Pathfinder program. VA Pathfinder operates as the digital front door to innovate or sell to VA, with a back-end data solution that democratizes access for innovators and vendors, across all sectors, wanting to work with VA. Under her leadership and expertise, VA Pathfinder is poised to transform the way businesses innovate and sell within and across the VA healthcare system. Ashley Hammond is from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Ashley started her VA career in 2009 at the Cincinnati VAMC as an Administrative Assistant. Ashley entered the VA supply chain/logistics community as a Technical Career Field (TCF) Intern in September 2015 and graduated from the program in August 2017.  She has also held various positions within the Supply Chain, including Chief of Materiel Management. Ashley worked in the VHA Procurement and Logistics Office as a Project Manager. Ashley currently works in the Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics (OPAL) department in the Category Management Support Office (CMSO) as a Portfolio Manager, overseeing the Departments' Information Technology category. Ashley also leads the Pathfinder program, an award-winning program which assists vendors in doing business with VA.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeVA's Pathfinder Web sitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Course, Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses: Supplier Diversity. In this course, you will learn strategies and best practices to implement Veteran supplier diversity in your business or organization. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Supporting-Veteran-Owned-Businesses This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Can VA Doctors Write a Nexus Letter?Leah addresses the challenges veterans face in getting assistance from VA healthcare providers for filling out forms such as DBQs, Nexus letters, and aid and attendance forms. She notes that veterans often encounter reluctance from providers who cite reasons such as conflict of interest or lack of time. Leah aims to empower veterans by discussing the VA's policy, VHA Directive 1134, which mandates VA healthcare providers to assist in form completion. She highlights key sections of the directive, emphasizing that VA providers are required to provide medical opinions (Nexus statements) and complete DBQs as part of their duties, contrary to the common belief of a conflict of interest. The directive also covers the completion of various forms, including those for benefits claims and handicap parking. Leah urges veterans to approach their providers respectfully and guides how to request form completion, particularly for mental health DBQs, where she recommends a neutral provider to maintain the integrity of the patient-provider relationship.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What are Nexus Letters for Veterans?Nexus letters are technical reports, also referred to as independent medical opinions, that establish a link between an injury or illness and a veteran's service. Such letters, usually drafted by medical professionals like doctors, nurse practitioners, or PAs, detail how one condition relates to another or to the veteran's service. The letters can range from a few sentences to lengthy reports, with an emphasis on presenting a rational connection. Leah differentiates between primary and secondary service connections, detailing examples for each. Primary connections have a direct relationship to one's service, while secondary connections relate a condition to another service-connected condition. She also highlights presumptive service connections that are assumed by the VA based on specific criteria. Leah emphasizes that while Nexus letters determine service-related connections, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) help ascertain the rating.

On this special Veteran's Day episode of Let's Be Blunt, Montel speaks with the Executive Director of the Veterans Cannabis Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving U.S. military veterans' quality of life through the opportunity of cannabis. Stephen served in the United States Navy for over 20 years as a Naval Aviator and Commanding Officer.  His professional experiences span global development, aviation, organizational development, innovation, macroeconomics, security cooperation, defense financial management, and acquisitions. Nine million+ veterans cannot access medical cannabis through their healthcare provider, even in states where cannabis is legal. VHA doctors cannot recommend cannabis or submit the forms that many states require. The federal status of cannabis has also made it nearly impossible to research the impacts of cannabis on veterans' health issues such as TBIs, PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. New legislation is pending to improve access in legal states, but we are not here yet.

Dr. Richard Stone is a retired Army Major General who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the Army. He had also previously served as the Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with authority to perform the duties of the Under Secretary for Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.    In this role, Dr. Stone became the first official in this position in 30 years to have actual combat experience. He tells us how he needed to become a “calm pillar” during the chaos of COVID and how 70% of veterans have had combat experience, making them a unique group that must be advocated for.   There are a number of challenges in the VHA, including aging facilities that need to be redesigned for modern healthcare. Dr. Stone emphasizes the benefits of recreational therapy as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment and he shares how much it alleviates the pain of vets when he helps them learn how to surf.      Get your copy of Save Every Life You Can: https://amzn.to/3Bnnnfe    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.