aeterans winter 2005 - veterans affairs

T H E W E L L N E S S M A G A Z I N E

F O R N E W Y O R K /

N E W J E R S E Y V E T E R A N S

W I N T E R 2 0 0 5

AV D V A N T A G EAVE T E R A N S ’

6 VA helps vets copewith post-traumaticstress disorder

3 Reaching out to former POWs

We in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have taken many steps overthe last year to reach out to America’s newest veterans. While we’re working

very hard, we know from other campaigns that veterans take care of eachother, too, whether on the battlefield or back home. We will work to make informationavailable and eliminate barriers but we ask our patients, volunteers and staff to alsoreach out to these brave men and women who will have many questions upon return-ing from the theaters of operation as they readjust to civilian life. We have appointedOperation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Points ofContact/Advocates to ensure returning veterans have the services and support theyneed. See page 7 for a list of these contacts.

Here are some important OEF/OIF VA facts:• More than 4,300 OEF/OIF service members have returned and received services at

the New York/New Jersey Veterans Healthcare Network medical centers and clinics.• Our Network Prosthetics staff has visited Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical

Centers many times and has counseled, advised and interviewed more than 50 amputees.• VISN 3 has one of the two VA War-Related Illness and Injury Study Centers

(WRIISCs) at VA New Jersey Health Care System in East Orange, N.J. The centers focuson diagnosing, managing and understanding deployment-related persistent fatigue,pain, cognitive and sleep problems. You can contact the centers by calling 1 (800) 248-8005 or (973) 676-1000, ext. 1-2500, or by visiting www.wri.med.va.gov.

In VISN 3, we know the sacrifices of war and were sadly reminded of them whenone of our VA family members died while on duty in Baghdad on December 4, 2004.Joseph Behnke, an engineer at VA New York Harbor Health Care System (New YorkCampus), supported the Army 248th Field Artillery Regiment. We are honored tohave worked side by side with him and are proud of his service and sacrifice to agrateful nation.

We’r e j u s t a p h o n e c a l l a w a y

Veterans, do you need information about medication dosages

or prescription interactions, or do you have questions about

your general health? Day or night, get answers to all your

healthcare questions by calling the VA Nurses Helpline,

24 hours a day, at 1-800-877-6976.

James J. Farsetta

Network Director

http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03

When service members come home

Editor: Gerald Culliton

Joseph Sledge, Northport VA

John Mazzulla, NY Harbor HCS

Peter Juliano, NY Harbor HCS

Al Hong, Bronx VA

Sandra Warren, NJ HCS

Nancy Winter, Hudson Valley VA

W I N T E R 2 0 0 5 • 3V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E

Almost 11,000 American ex-POWs(prisoners of war) aren’t receiving the

entitled benefits they deserve. Pleasehelp us locate our surviving former POWs.

Encourage all former POWs you know to contact their closest VA medical centers to

learn about VA benefits and services. Or, tell them to log on to VA’s POW Web site at

www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/POW/index.htm.Among the many benefits that can help former POWs

is outpatient group counseling. “Group counseling is awonderful opportunity for ex-POWs to share their experi-ences with other ex-POWs and understand they aren’talone,” says Kenneth Reinhard, Ph.D., VA Hudson ValleyHealth Care System, session leader. “The sessions also helpex-POWs improve their quality of life and relationships withtheir families and friends.” Dr. Reinhard conducts counselingsessions for wives of ex-POWs, too. n

VA MEDICAL CENTERS

Bronx Medical CenterWilliam T. Davis(718) 584-9000, ext. 5346

Northport VA MedicalCenterJoe Sledge(631) 266-6074

VA New York HarborHealth Care SystemBrooklyn CampusSusan Vujnovich(718) 836-6600, ext. 6532

VA New York HarborHealth Care SystemNew York CampusSharon Morrison(212) 686-7500, ext. 7589

VA New York HarborHealth Care System VA Primary and

Extended Care CenterJohnathan Beckerman(718) 526-1000, ext. 2529

VA Hudson Valley Health Care SystemMontrose CampusDave Gitelson, D.S.W.(914) 737-4400, ext. 2388

VA New Jersey Health Care SystemEast Orange CampusDonald Chambers(973) 676-1000, ext. 6416

VET CENTERS

Babylon Vet CenterGasper Falzone, M.S.W.(631) 661-3930

Bronx Vet CenterWalter Sampson, C.S.W.(718) 367-3500

Brooklyn Vet CenterKevin O’Brien, M.S.W.,

C.A.S.A.C. (718) 624-3323

Harlem Vet CenterWalter Bridges, M.S.W.(212) 426-2200

Queens Vet CenterPaulette Peterson, Ph.D.(718) 296-2871

White Plains Vet CenterVincent Matthews, M.S.(914) 682-6250

Manhattan Vet CenterJack Maloney, C.S.W.,

C.A.S.A.C.(212) 742-9591

Jersey City Vet CenterLe Roy Adison, M.S.W.(201) 748-4467

Newark Vet CenterAnn Talmage, M.S.W.(973) 645-5954

Trenton Vet CenterJames Gordon, M.A.(609) 989-2260

Where to find support

To learn more about benefits and services for ex-POWs, contact your nearest ex-POWcoordinator:

Reaching out toex-POWs

Many of our brave menand women who have returned from combat

need help readjusting to civilianlife. More than 185,000 veteranssuffer from post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD), according to a2003 report by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

What is PTSD?PTSD is a condition caused by

exposure to extreme stress. Itinvolves direct or indirect threat ofdeath or serious physical or emo-tional harm.

Events that can cause PTSD,called stressors, include naturaldisasters (floods and earthquakes),accidents (car accidents, airplanecrashes and large fires) and deliberate man-made disasters(combat, rape, assault, torture anddeath camps).

Veterans suffering from PTSDoften experience these symptoms:

• trauma-related nightmares• recurrent thoughts of a trau-

matic event• an inability to remember parts

of a traumatic event• withdrawal from loved ones• a loss of interest in work or

hobbies• sleep problems• difficulty concentrating• hyperalertness• anxiety

6 • W I N T E R 2 0 0 5V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03

Looking at abrighter future

Number of veterans treated for PTSDPeriod

Pre-WWII

WWII

Korean War

Vietnam War

Gulf War

Peacetime

Total

September 1999

1

15,879

5,412

90,695

5,592

4,491

122,070

February 2004

2

24,030

9,258

147,739

11,533

7,584

200,146

VA helps veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder

• irritability• angry outburstsThe severity of symptoms varies

depending on each veteran’s experi-ence. Untreated, symptoms may lasta lifetime.

VA medical center programsThrough its medical centers

and community clinics, VA provides an internationally recog-nized network of more than 140 specialized PTSD treatmentprograms. More than 77,800 vet-erans received PTSD treatment byVA specialists in 2003.

VA offers first-rate PTSD treat-ment programs in the New Yorkand New Jersey areas. Call yourlocal VA medical center or com-munity clinic for more informa-tion (see this issue’s back page).

National PTSD centerVA established the National

Center for Post-Traumatic StressDisorder in 1989 to promoteresearch about the disorder, train healthcare and related staff and serve as a resource for pro-fessionals across the United Statesand, eventually, around the world.

The center has come to beviewed as a world leader in PTSDresearch. Its current researchincludes large-scale clinical trialsand studies on PTSD diagnosisand treatment. n

Bronx VA Medical Center Carol Allen, M.D., primary, (718) 584-9000, ext. 3777/3779Lawrence Deweil, D.O., alternate, (718) 584-9000, ext. 3777/3738Faina Smekuna, M.D., alternate, (718) 584-9000, ext. 3777/5275Mark Benson, M.S.W., case manager, (718) 584-9000, ext. 5223

VA Hudson Valley Health Care System (Castle Point and MontroseCampuses)Gertrude O’Dell, primary, (914) 737-4400, ext. 2413/5413Amy Prato, alternate, (845) 831-2000, ext. 5536Sharon Thomas, R.N., case manager, (845) 831-2000, ext. 5539Altrude Lewis-Thorpe, alternate and case manager, (914) 737-4400,

ext. 2738; (914) 957-0005 (pager)

VA New Jersey Health Care System (East Orange and Lyons Campuses)Michelle Stefanelli, M.S.W., primary and case manager, (973) 676-1000,

ext. 1727Spring Chen-Strickland, administrative support, (973) 676-1000, ext. 1266Mary Jo McNulty, administrative support, CBOCs, (973) 676-1000, ext. 6105Terri Jackson, administrative support, (973) 676-1000, ext. 2333

VA New York Harbor Health Care System (Brooklyn, New York and St. Albans Campuses)Robert Greene, M.S.W., primary and case manager, (212) 951-5422/6838Allan Chernikoff, alternate and case manager, (718) 836-6600, ext. 3111

Northport (Long Island) VA Medical Center Thomas Ross, primary, (631) 261-4400, ext. 5569Miriam Velazquez, alternate, (631) 261-4400, ext. 7037/7039Ray Zbikowski, M.S.W., case manager, (631) 271-4400, ext. 7029

Support for returning vets

To help returning veterans get the support and services they need, Points of Contact/Advocates are available at these locations:

Secretary Principi resigns

Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, recently

announced his resignation after serving four yearsin the Bush Cabinet as the VA leader. As Secretaryhe visited New York and New Jersey many timesand worked closely with veterans organizationsacross this region. Born in the Bronx and raised inNew Jersey, Principi truly had a special place inhis heart for the veterans and VA staff in this area.


c stress disorder

NY/NJ Veterans Integrated ServiceNetwork 3130 W. Kingsbridge RoadVISN OfficeBronx, NY 10468

http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LEBANON JUNCTION, KY

PERMIT NO. 19

BronxMedical Center:

130 West Kingsbridge RoadBronx, NY 10468(718) 584-9000

Community Clinics:23 South Broadway

White Plains, NY 10601(914) 421-1951

124 New Main StreetYonkers, NY 10701

(914) 375-8055

41-03 Queens BoulevardSunnyside, NY 11104

(718) 741-4800

953 Southern BoulevardBronx, NY 10459(718) 741-4900

VA New York Harbor Health Care System

Medical Centers:Brooklyn Campus

800 Poly PlaceBrooklyn, NY 11209

(718) 836-6600

New York Campus423 East 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010(212) 686-7500

VA Primary and Extended Care Center

179th Street & Linden BoulevardSt. Albans, NY 11425

(718) 526-1000

Community Clinics:40 Flatbush Extension—8th Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201(718) 439-4300

1150 South Avenue3rd Floor—Suite 301

Staten Island, NY 10314(718) 761-2963

55 West 125th Street—11th FloorNew York, NY 10027

(212) 828-5265

245 West Houston StreetNew York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2569

VA New Jersey Health Care System

Medical Centers:East Orange Campus385 Tremont Avenue

East Orange, NJ 07018-1095(973) 676-1000

Lyons Campus151 Knollcroft Road

Lyons, NJ 07939(908) 647-0180

Community Clinics:970 Route 70

Brick, NJ 08724(732) 206-8900

654 East Jersey Street—Suite 2AElizabeth, NJ 07206

(908) 994-0120

171 Jersey Street—Building 36Trenton, NJ 08611-2425

(609) 989-2355

385 Prospect AvenueHackensack, NJ 07601

(201) 487-1390

115 Christopher Columbus DriveJersey City, NJ 07302

(201) 435-3055

317 George StreetNew Brunswick, NJ 08901

(732) 729-0646

340 West Hanover AvenueMorristown, NJ 07960

(973) 539-9791(973) 539-9794

20 Washington PlaceNewark, NJ 07102

(973) 645-1441

Patterson Army Health ClinicStephenson Avenue—Building 1075

Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703(732) 532-4500

275 Getty AvenuePaterson, NJ 07503

(973) 247-1666

VA Hudson Valley Health Care System

Medical Centers:Montrose Campus

Route 9A/P.O. Box 100Montrose, NY 10548-0100

(914) 737-4400

Castle Point CampusCastle Point, NY 12511

(845) 831-2000

Community Clinics:461 Broadway

Monticello, NY 12701(845) 791-4936

150 Pike StreetPort Jervis, NY 12771

(845) 856-5396

20 Squadron Boulevard—Suite 400

New City, NY 10956(845) 634-8942

30 Hatfield Lane—Suite 204

Goshen, NY 10924(845) 294-6927

488 Freedom Plains RoadPoughkeepsie, NY 12603

(845) 452-5151

1875 Route 6Warwick Savings Bank—

2nd FloorCarmel, NY 10512

(845) 228-5291

VA Mobile Clinic(845) 452-5151

Northport (Long Island)Medical Center:

79 Middleville RoadNorthport, NY 11768

(631) 261-4400

Mental Health Clinics:235 Merrick Road

Lynbrook, NY 11563(516) 887-3666

(Mon. & Thurs. only)

89 Hubbard AvenueRiverhead, NY 11901

(631) 727-7171 (Thurs. only)

560 N. Delaware AvenueLindenhurst, NY 11757

(631) 884-1133 (Tues. only)

39 Nassau AvenueIslip, NY 11751

(631) 581-5330 (Wed. only)

4 Phyllis DrivePatchogue, NY 11772

(631) 475-6610 (Tues., Wed. & Fri. only)

1425 Old Country RoadPlainview, NY 11803

(516) 572-8567 (Tues., Wed. & Fri. only)

Primary Care Clinics:4 Phyllis Drive

Patchogue, NY 11772(631) 758-4419

1425 Old Country RoadPlainview, NY 11803

(516) 694-6008

Westhampton Air Base(by appointment only)

150 Old Riverhead RoadWesthampton, NY 11978

(631) 898-0599

Where Y O U C A NF I N D U S — A N Y T I M E

Respite Program staff places themin HBPC patients’ homes a fewhours a day, one or two days aweek. The volunteers offer care-givers much-needed time awaywhile helping patients improvefunction and quality of life. Thestaff matches volunteers withpatients in the same or neighbor-ing towns, making it convenientfor volunteers—particularlyseniors—to stay involved intheir communities.

Program volunteers find theirexperiences rewarding. Many listen to music, watch movies,play cards or share commoninterests with their patients. Ifyou’re interested in volunteeringfor this worthwhile program, call Mary O’Sullivan, Chief of Voluntary Services, at (631)261-4400, ext. 7183. ■

About 25 million caregiversin the United States pro-

vide round-the-clock sup-port to loved ones. At NorthportVA Medical Center, we want tomake sure these dedicated individ-uals care for their own physicaland emotional needs, too.

Our Home-Based Primary Care(HBPC) Program team—whichhelps veterans receive healthcareservices in the comfort of theirhomes—created the Home RespiteProgram in response to feedbackfrom patients, caregivers and otherhealthcare providers. After train-ing VA volunteers, the Home


Retired and looking for something rewarding to do?

Consider becoming a volunteer driver with

the Disabled AmericanVeterans (DAV) Transpor-tation Program at NorthportVAMC. Volunteer drivers use DAV vans to transportoutpatients who have difficultygetting to and from medicalappointments. Your supportwill make a positive differ-ence in your fellow veterans’lives. To get involved, call(631) 261-4400, ext. 7183.

Care forthe caregiver—volunteer!

You have the best chance ofsurviving stroke and suf-fering the least amount of

disability from it when you getimmediate medical care. That’sbecause doctors need to beginsome treatments within threehours of the time you suffered the stroke. But to act promptly,you’ve got to know the followingsigns of stroke:1 sudden numbness or weakness

of the face, arms or legs, espe-cially on one side of the body

2 sudden confusion, troublespeaking or understanding

3 sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

4 sudden trouble walking, dizzi-ness or loss of coordination

5 sudden, severe headache with no known causeIt’s also possible for you

to experience a mini-stroke,

• a previous stroke or TIA• a family history of stroke

or TIA• smoking• excess alcohol consumption• overweight or obesity• high blood sugar• high blood pressure • undesirable cholesterol levels • cardiovascular diseaseBeing informed and prepared

can make a critical difference inhow you survive a stroke. It paysto educate your loved ones so theycan make the right decisions, too. ■


Dear veteran,

Thank you for fighting for our

country. Because you fought in the

war, my life is now a good and

happy one. I do not have to get

food from shelters. I have a lot of

freedom and I can basically do

anything I want because you took

the time to fight for our country.

Thank you for your abilities

that helped save our country.

Sincerely,

Brianna

Dear veteran,

Hi. My name is Nicole. I am 13years old and in the 8th grade. Ijust wanted to take a minute tothank you for everything youhave done for our country. I

really appreciate it. Withoutyou, our country would

not be what it is today. Thank you for tak-

ing time to read thisletter.

Nicole

Dear veteran,Our world is constantly changing.

We, the citizens of America, havesomething special. We have freedom.We thank all the brave men andwomen who risk their lives for us.

I want to thank you all for your contributions to our country.

Thank you for keeping AmericaFREE!

Sincerely,Eric B.

Kids talk to Northport VA vets

5 signs you need to knowor a transient ischemicattack (TIA), whichproduces similarsymptoms. While itssymptoms may lastfor only a few min-utes, a TIA can be apredictor of severestroke and needs to betreated immediately.

Stroke is the third-leadingcause of death in the UnitedStates. Anyone at any age canhave a stroke, but you can fight it by being aware of your riskfactors, which include:

• age (75 percent of strokesstrike adults over 55)

• gender (more men than womensuffer stroke until their risks evenout at age 55)

• race (African-Americans face a greater risk of stroke than otherethnic groups)

Recognizing stroke

Are you aware of the many vol-unteer opportunities avail-

able in your local commu-nity? The Department of VeteransAffairs New Jersey Health CareSystem’s Lyons and East OrangeCampuses offer several rewardingprograms aimed at helping patientsand nonpatients.

Ken Mizrach, Director of theVANJHCS, said, “I have witnessedfirsthand the commitment and com-passion that our volunteers demon-strate. And although people todaydevote less time to community serv-ice, our health care system contin-ues to attract those who give theirtime and talents generously.”

Mary Beth Hynoski, LyonsVoluntary Service ProgramManager, added, “The success of our program is shown by themany volunteers who remain withus. Some have lent their supportfor more than 20 years. We’re

As a new volunteer, you’ll receivean orientation before you beginyour first assignment, plus a com-plimentary lunch for every day youdonate at least four hours. If you’rea regularly scheduled volunteer atthe Lyons Campus, you may be eli-gible to join its golf course.

Learn moreFor more information about

the Lyons volunteer program,call Mary Beth Hynoski at (908)604-5814. To learn more aboutthe East Orange volunteer pro-gram, call Tyrone Steed,Voluntary Service ProgramManager, at (973) 676-1000, ext. 1597. n

fortunate so manyvolunteers from localcommunities help,and we’re alwayssearching for more.”

Something foreveryone

Not sure where todirect your talents?Choose from any ofthese support programs:

• Escort: Escorts offer comfortand companionship by attendingmedical appointments with veterans.

• Ambassador: Volunteers in thisprogram greet veterans and visitorswho come to the campuses andanswer any questions they have.

• Recreation: Recreational vol-unteers socialize and play tablegames with veterans. They alsoassist with large-scale programs.

• Driver: Drivers transport veter-ans to the campuses for appoint-ments using government vehicles.

• Clerical: These volunteersassist with data entry, filing, photocopying, mailings and otheradministrative tasks.

http://www.va.gov/visns/visn034 • W I N T E R 2 0 0 5V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E

The new Paterson Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

(CBOC) at 275 Getty Avenue inPaterson, N.J., opened with a cele-bratory ribbon-cutting ceremonyon August 12. Congressman BillPascrell Jr. of the 8th District,N.J., gave the keynote address.

The CBOC offers primary care,social work, dietary and mentalhealth services to eligible veterans.

Primary care includes physicalexaminations, preventive healthscreenings and health educationfor acute and chronic medicalconditions. The staff coordinatescare for veterans who need rehabili-tation and diagnostic, specialty,inpatient and long-term support.

The Paterson CBOC is openMonday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To learn more

or to make an appointment, call(973) 247-1666. n

Paterson CBOC opens

From left: Timothy P. Barr, Vice President for Development, St. Joseph’s Hospital andMedical Center; Arthur Joseph Serratelli,Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.;James J. Farsetta, Network Director, VISN 3;Kenneth H. Mizrach, Director, VANJHCS; andBill Pascrell Jr., Congressman, 8th District,N.J., celebrate the Paterson CBOC’s opening.

The gift of giving

If you’re one of the 18.2 millionAmericans currently living withdiabetes, rest assured the right

care is close to home. The VA New Jersey Health Care System’sDiabetes Self-Management Educa-tion Program received continuedrecognition from the AmericanDiabetes Association (ADA). Wewere the first VA medical center in the nation to earn such an honorin 1988. The ADA’s voluntaryreview assures that approved educa-tion programs meet the NationalStandards for Diabetes Self-Management Programs.

Self-management educationteaches you skills to control yourcondition. With a health care

team’s support, you can liveactively and decrease your risk for chronic complications.

Our self-management programoffers individual and group instruc-tion at the East Orange and LyonsCampuses as well as the James J.Howard, Trenton and HackensackCommunity-Based OutpatientClinics. To learn more, contact anyof our program’s staff members:

• Carmen Lou, M.S.N., N.P.-C., C.D.E. (908) 647-0180, ext. 4987

• Joyce Lovas, M.S.N., A.P.R.N.,B.C., C.D.E.(973) 676-1000, ext. 2141

• Susan Strahs, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.(908) 647-0180, ext. 4719 n


Mark Zimering, M.D., Chief of the EndocrinologySection and Assistant Chief of Medical Service at the

VA New Jersey Health Care System, received the prestigious2003 Arthur S. Flemming Award. The award honors profes-

sionals who have three to 15 years public service experience for extraordinaryfederal government contributions in three categories: Scientific, Administrativeand Applied Science. Dr. Zimering was one of four employees chosen in theScientific category.

Dr. Zimering discovered how a protein in the body called basic fibroblastgrowth factor (bFGF) contributes to pituitary tumors, diabetes mellitus andbone disease. He also linked elevated prolactin, a pituitary hormone that stim-ulates and maintains milk secretions, to antibodies mimicking the growtheffects of bFGF in patients with pituitary tumors and breast cancer. n

A medical pioneer

Five staff members from the VANew Jersey Health Care System

were named 2004 Employees of theYear by the Federal ExecutiveBoard of Metropolitan NorthernNew Jersey on October 7. Congrat-ulations to these employees for jobswell done!

Equal EmploymentOpportunityEmployee of the YearManuel F. Espique,

Asian American/Pacific IslanderSpecial Emphasis ProgramManager, EnvironmentalManagement Service

Secretary of the YearYvonne Fowler,Dental Service

Professional of the YearChae Im, M.D., Physical Medicineand Rehabilitation Service(no photo available)

Administrative/Clerical of the YearMary T. Middleton,Fiscal Service

Craftsman/Tradesman of the YearMichael Mungiello, Facilities

Management Service

Our awarded self-management program shows you how

Meet 5 topemployees

Take charge of diabetes

At the Montrose NursingHome, age doesn’t mat-

ter, say veteran resi-dents and volunteer studentsfrom the nearby WestchesterMiddle School who partici-pate in the nursing home’sIntergenerational Program.The program offers a chancefor children and veterans tocome together to socialize,share experiences and learnfrom each other.

A win-win programThe program eases loneliness

for many veterans whose familiesaren’t actively involved in theirlives or who are ill, have limitedmobility or live far away. It alsoprovides a rewarding chance forveterans to serve as teachers asthey draw on their acquiredknowledge to offer valuable lifelessons to children.

In turn, the program benefitsmany children who may have lit-tle or no experience visiting nurs-ing homes. By volunteering theirtime, children learn about andbecome more comfortable withthe psychiatric and medical con-ditions that bring people to nurs-ing home settings. The childrenvisit the home once every other

draw. Veterans who prefergardening enjoy the out-doors with the children as they pot plants and grow vegetables.

Staff members remainnearby to lend support dur-ing the activities. They alsoguide veterans and childreninto the program, offeringan orientation to the nursinghome followed by regularmeetings with the nursinghome’s social worker andnurse manager as well as the school’s social worker.During the meetings, stu-dents get to share theirexperiences and ask ques-tions such as, Why do some of the residents behave

the way they do? Howshould I respond?What’s dementia? Thisongoing education and

support help ensure theprogram’s success.

Feedback from the veterans,children and staff members hasbeen positive, with everyone not-ing the rewards gained by all. n

week during most ofthe school year and sev-eral days a week duringthe summer. Many stayinvolved in the program through-out their middle-school years.

Fun for allDuring visits, veterans and

children take part in a variety ofactivities together such as check-ers, card games, drawing andgardening. The program encour-ages veterans to share their inter-ests with children. One veteranwho enjoys solitaire, for exam-ple, plays card games with theyoung volunteers. Another veter-an, formerly a cartoonist, spendshis afternoons helping children


The Montrose

Nursing Home

bridges the

generation gap

Students from the Westchester Middle Schooljoin Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kullberg for a day of fun.

Getting to know you

Last Veterans’ Day, comput-ers across the country con-nected to My HealtheVet,

the Veteran HealthAdministration’s (VHA’s)newest Web-based appli-cation. My HealtheVetis a Web site designedfor you, your familyand your healthcareprovider to help youbetter understand andmanage your health.

The site offers three important benefits:

• a single source of objective,clinically sound health educationinformation

Service Organizations and StateVeterans Affairs Offices. You can also access CongressionalSubcommittees on Veteran AffairsWeb pages and read about thelatest topics that affect veterans.

And that’s not all. Soon, duringthe next phase of My HealtheVet,you’ll be able to refill prescriptionsonline and view co-pay balancesand pending appointments. You’llalso be able to enter personalhealth data such as blood pressurereadings, daily weight or bloodsugar readings. It’s a good way foryou to keep track of and monitoryour health conditions and shareany questions or concerns you mayhave with your healthcare provider.

Register todayIf you register now for My

HealtheVet, in 2005 you’ll gainaccess to portions of your med-ical record, which you can securein your own “eVault.” You’ll beable to review instructions frompast appointments or follow-upinformation, which you can sharewith your non-VA physician or aveterans service officer if youneed help processing compensa-tion and pension claims. You’llalso be able to designate a surro-gate. By doing so, you’ll give anadvocate, a close friend or a fam-ily member full or limited accessto your medical information con-tained in your eVault.

You can access My HealtheVetfrom any computer that offersInternet services. If you don’t havea computer at home or in yourlocal library, head to your nearestVA medical center. Every VA med-ical center across the country hasa computer designated to help youget to this valuable site. n

• one-stop shopping for bene-fits, special programs and healthinformation and services

• a chance for you to part-ner with your healthcare

provider by sharingimportant health

information

Up to speed on careAt the click of a

mouse, you can visitnumerous Web sites provid-

ing health and services informa-tion for veterans or view infor-mation from other VHA-

approved sites. You can locateVHA medical centers, Veterans


Better health atyour fingertips

Visit www.

myhealthevet.va.gov

for a wealth of online

health benefits and

services.

4 • W I N T E R 2 0 0 5V E T E R A N S ’ A D V A N T A G E

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immunosuppression, regardlessof age; pregnant women; nursinghome patients; spinal cord injuryresidents; and employees whohave direct patient contact.

As a registered nurse, I cantell you that all of you—whetheror not you get a flu shot—cantake these practical steps toavoid or help prevent the flu’s spread:

• Avoid close contact withpeople who are sick. Influenzaviruses are spread through respi-ratory droplets when you coughand sneeze.

• Keep your hands away fromyour eyes, nose and mouth. Germsare often spread when a persontouches something contaminatedwith germs and then touches hisor her eyes, nose or mouth.

• When you are sick, keepyour distance from others toprotect them from getting sick,too. Cover your nose and mouthwith a tissue when you cough orsneeze and then throw out thetissue and wash your hands. Ifyou don’t have a tissue, cough orsneeze into your sleeve.

Onceagain,like a

bad penny, theflu season isupon us. Eachyear, about114,000 peopleare hospitalized

for flu-related complications and36,000 Americans die.

Recently, a great deal of newshas been focused on the flu vac-cine shortage. I want our BronxVA community to know where we stand: First, there is no need to panic.

The VA has received the entireamount ordered—about 2 mil-lion doses. We expect a greaterdemand than last year for thevaccine by veterans enrolled inthe VA system and VA employ-ees. The Bronx VA (as well asothers in our Network) will tar-get our vaccination program gen-erally to the following groups:enrolled veterans who havechronic conditions such as dia-betes, heart disease, lung disease,kidney disease, cancer or

Maryann MusumeciDirector, the BronxVAMC

Greetings from the director, the Bronx VAMC

It’s tough to provide properdental care to patients withspinal cord injuries (SCIs),

particularly to those who userespirators or are on complextherapies. Just getting thesepatients to a dental clinic canbe extremely difficult, requir-ing a team of specialists—nurs-es and respiratory and physicaltherapists. At the same time,bringing dental care to an SCIpatient’s bedside poses its ownset of challenges, such as mov-ing the X-ray machine, aircompressor and other special-ized equipment.

At the Bronx VA MedicalCenter, staff from the dentalunit and the SCI ward decid-ed enough was enough. “Wefelt it was imperative that weimprove this process,” saysDentist Daniel MacDonald,M.D. Their solution was toopen a dental clinic right inthe SCI ward to provideemergency and routine care tothe 60 veteran patients wholive there.

SCI patients have many special needs. But providersshouldn’t overlook the impor-tance of proper dental hygiene,advises Lynda Olender, R.N.,the Bronx VAMC’s ChiefNurse Executive. “Proper dental care goes hand in handwith good nutrition and gener-al health,” she says.

The new clinic offers a full range of dental services,mobile equipment, high-intensity lighting, an X-raymachine and vacuum suction. Iteven has its own respirator forventilator-dependent patients.

The clinic is a welcomeaddition for patients andstaff. “This has really made adifference for our patientsand has added a new, positivedimension to our depart-ment,” says Vivienne Barton,R.N., Clinical Manager of thedental unit. n


• If you get the flu, stay homefrom work or school so otherswon’t catch your illness.

• Clean your hands frequentlywith alcohol-based hand rubs orsoap and water.

If you develop the flu despitetaking these precautions, getplenty of rest, drink lots of liq-uids and avoid using alcohol andtobacco. Consider taking med-ication to help relieve symptoms.You can also call our 24-hour,seven-days-a-week, NurseHelpline at 1 (800) 877-6976.

If your flu symptoms areunusually severe (for example, ifyou are having trouble breath-ing) or if you are at special riskfor complications from flu, con-sult your primary care providerhere at the Bronx VA MedicalCenter or at one of our easilyaccessible community-based outpatient clinics.

Warmest wishes for a safe andhappy holiday season.

Sincerely,Maryann MusumeciDirector, the Bronx VAMC

Glen Marrow, a quadriplegic ventilator-dependent patient, receives care in thenew SCI dental clinic by Brian Jeon, M.D.,Resident (left), and John Piro, M.D.,Prosthodontist.

The first SCIdental clinic opens

A New York HarborHealthcare System staff

have been working for morethan a year to reach military per-sonnel returning from Iraq andAfghanistan. Our goal is to helpthem make seamless transitionsfrom active duty to civilian life,from soldier to citizen—particularlyin the healthcare area.

When servicemen and womenare discharged or transferred frommilitary hospitals like Walter Reedand Bethesda and enter the VAhealthcare system, we want toensure them of continuous ambula-tory and inpatient care. To do this,VA has been making special out-reach efforts to contact them, suchas sending letters and makingphone calls. In addition, publicservice announcements run on everyepisode of “VA Insights,” VA’saward-winning cable-access TV


program that airs week-ly on 20 cable-accesssystems throughoutLong Island, New YorkCity, metropolitan andcoastal New Jersey, theHudson Valley andWestchester County.

A Veterans Infor-mation Day forreturned Iraqi andAfghanistan servicemembers, held at theNew York Campus on

July 24, provided these combatveterans and their families valu-able information about VA bene-fits and healthcare, employmentand job-seeking assistance. Morethan 75 veterans and their fami-lies attended, and many enrolledfor healthcare at VANYHHS.

VANYHHS and the New YorkVA Regional Office staff are

visiting local military reserve andguard units to provide importantinformation about accessing health-care under VA Tri Care or as veter-ans, and to present an overview ofbenefits and entitlements offeredthrough the New York VA Regional Office. VA staff also distribute information from the U.S.Department of Labor VeteransEmployment and Training Serviceabout employment and reemploy-ment rights and provide contactinformation for other agencies thathelp veterans reenter civilian life.

This information is new to the “citizen soldier” and even toreservists and guard members whowere on active duty before this mostrecent call-up. Readjusting to civilianlife can be stressful, but timely infor-mation and professional guidanceand support can relieve the normalstresses of postwar adjustment. n

0

20

40

60

80

100

Oct Dec Feb Apr June Aug

90

10

30

50

70

Number of enrolled combat vets by month

Total number of combat veterans enrolled: 657

VANYHHS welcomes home new vets

10/03–9/04

V

Do you suffer from hearingloss, a speech impedimentor a swallowing difficulty?

Rest assured that, as a veteranenrolled at VA New YorkHarbor HealthcareSystem, you’ll receivethe most advanceddiagnostic andrehabilitative carefrom ourAudiology andSpeech PathologyService.

Our service featureshighly trained, dedicatedprofessionals sensitive toveterans’ communicationneeds, with departments onthe New York, Brooklynand St. Albans campuses.

A speech pathologist will workclosely with you if a stroke, ahead injury, surgery for larynxcancer or another debilitating con-dition has affected your ability tospeak. He or she will also help

you improve your swallowingfunction so you can regain yourquality of life—and enjoy a home-cooked meal again.

VA is the nation’s leader inproviding hearing aids

and assistive devices toveterans eligible forassistance. Veteransare at particularrisk for hearingloss, often becauseof long-term noise

exposure producedby weapons and loud

machinery. Because thedegree and type of hearingloss vary from patient topatient, our audiologistwill provide a thoroughexamination to ensure you

receive the right treatment plan.If you’re experiencing any of

these communication challenges,ask your primary care provider fora referral so you can start receiv-ing specialized care. n


Type 2 diabetes research study

If you have type 2 diabetes, youmay be eligible to participate in a

National Institutes of Health studyseeking ways to reduce risk of heartattack, stroke and other seriousblood vessel problems. People withtype 2 diabetes have twice the riskof these events, compared to peo-ple without diabetes. If you partici-pate in the study called ACCORD(Action to Control CardiovascularRisk in Diabetes), you may helpimprove diabetes care for yourselfand future generations.

If eligible, you will receive: • free blood sugar, blood pressure

or cholesterol medications • free blood sugar testing supplies • free regular medical follow up• free counseling for healthy

lifestyle choicesTo be considered for this impor-

tant study, you must have type 2diabetes and be either:• age 55 or older• age 40 or older with previous

heart attack, stroke or seriousblood vessel problems

For information about theACCORD study, contact ElizabethRichardson at (212) 951-5957.

Janine D. Henrickson,Au.D. (right), performsa middle-ear exambefore completing an audiological assessment.

VANYHHS’s leading Audiology and SpeechPathology Service helps you communicate

Vladimir Santos, M.D.,Chief E.N.T.; Warren A.Sweeney, M.S.; andMilena Ippolito-Micek,M.S. (standing fromleft to right), tell apatient the results ofhis swallow study.

aeterans winter 2005 - veterans affairs

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