August 2018 McGuire VA Medical Center

THIS ISSUE

Mammograms

Fisher House

Suicide Prevention

UPCOMING

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Suicide Prevention Fair

Labor Day

EDITORIAL STAFF

Darlene Edwards · David Hodge · Patrick Gordon Yanitz Irizarry · Mary Beatty-Brooks · Jason Miller Brandon Davis · Chenell Malcolm

All content within McGuire Monthly was written and compiled by the editorial staff unless otherwise noted.

Women's Health ClinicIn 2017, McGuire VA served approximately 60,000 patients, and women account for approximately 13 percent. Here at the medical center, we have a clinic dedicated to serving the brave women who served our country. The women’s health team is made up of one doctor, three nurses, one nurse practitioner and one advanced medical support assistant.

The women’s health clinic is part of the primary care clinics, whose focus is gynecology. Women’s health is a personal, intimate field that takes a special level of care and discretion. Inside the clinic are warm colors and friendly staff; the team wants women to feel embraced the moment they walk inside.

The women’s health clinic would like to thank Joan Knox, who served as a nurse practitioner for 20 years in the clinic and recently retired from the medical center. Drawing inspiration from Maya Angelou, Knox and the team stood on the principle that “people will forget what you said, and what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Plans to construct a new standalone women’s health center are underway and will expand access to care for our female Veterans.

Clockwise from back left: Nicole Barnette RN, Regina Gilliam LPN, Angela Verse RN, Debra McClenny AMSA, Shaquita Alexander NP, and Dr. Joseph H. Ellen.

Cover photo: Navy Veteran Leslie Ray Oliver travels from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, for treatment at McGuire VAMC. Pictured with Oliver is his grandaughter Kazlyn.

Back photo: Alva Rose, nurse manager, Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

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The radiology department at McGuire VA Medical Center recently began a

new initiative to include same day, walk-in services for mammograms. This new program allows some Veterans to self-schedule their appointments without seeing their women’s health or primary care provider first – something they could not do previously.

Now, Veterans can walk in to the radiology department to be seen or call to schedule an appointment.

“We are excited about this initiative and its potential to expand breast health care for our Veterans,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ellison, director of breast imaging at McGuire.

Though they can experience wait times, radiology supervisor Jessica Batten said her team’s scheduling allows for natural breaks, so walk-ins are accommodated as quickly as possible. Many patients, she said, prefer to have multiple appointments taken care of in the same day. The walk-in and self-requested scheduling service allows that to happen.

“Before, the scheduler had to call the patient, and first-time appointments could take a couple months,” Batten said. “This gives the patients more control.”

All women Veterans who are established patients at McGuire and meet qualifications for routine mammograms – meaning they are 40 or older, experience no symptoms and have not had a mammogram within the last year – are eligible to walk in or self-schedule. A Veteran who is experiencing related symptoms will still be seen, but they should schedule appointments through their primary care doctor.

Batten said the improved scheduling and appointment system comes at the perfect time because women Veterans continue to increase both in number and in age. Because the program is new, there are some kinks to work through as radiology employees adjust to the new processes, but Batten said she is grateful for the open lines of communication she and her team share.

“There’s a lot of collaboration,” she said. “We have a lot of support from women’s health, from primary care … everyone we work with.”

The initiative kicked off in Richmond Aug. 1 after being piloted by VA medical centers in San Diego, Washington and Birmingham, Alabama.

McGUIRE RADIOLOGY IMPROVES MAMMOGRAM ACCESS By Deanna Davison

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Richmond VA Medical Center offers same-day mammogram services to women aged 40 or older who haven't had a mammogram within the past year. This new service is designed to improve access to care for women Veterans.

McGUIRE MONTHLY AUGUST 2018

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Suicide is a tragic yet prominent issue in society, impacting both Veterans and civilians alike. For

a variety of reasons, Veterans face a higher risk of suicide than the general population.

According to a VA report released in 2017, approximately 20 Veterans die by suicide every day. Of these, about 14 were not receiving care through VA.

Employees at McGuire VA Medical Center are working to prevent suicides within this population.

Stephanie Nicholas, suicide prevention coordinator for McGuire’s four community-based outpatient clinics, devotes her career to helping suicidal Veterans find the resources they need.

Nicholas actively promotes the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 for support and guidance. They can also text 838255 or utilize the crisis chat feature at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

If Veterans need local support, they can provide their name and information over the phone. Professionals from the closest VA medical center will respond. Veterans have the option to keep the conversation confidential. The help line is available 24/7.

“We need to meet Vets where they are, [with] what they need,” Nicholas said. She explained the helpline gives Veterans the chance to reach out and find the support they require.

Laura Pond, suicide prevention coordinator, encourages others to follow Operation S.A.V.E. if they believe a peer is experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The acronym S.A.V.E. instructs people to notice symptoms, ask the right questions, validate their peers’ experiences, and expedite help.

Asking the right questions requires bringing the subject into the conversation in a way that keeps a potentially suicidal person at ease and willing to share their feelings.

As for symptoms, there are many warning signs, some of which require immediate medical attention. Take warning signs seriously and be prepared to provide help for the person exhibiting

these signs.

The #BeThere movement encourages people to show compassion and kindness towards at-risk Veterans. From having honest conversations to spending quality time, something as simple as getting a cup of coffee together can make the difference.

McGUIRE TEAM GEARS UP FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Suicide Prevention Team from left: Laura Pond, Kareta Bertrand, Gary Ford, Dona Davis, Rebeca Chace, Stephanie Nicholas, and Dr. Milo Wilson.

By Sydney Dudley

“We all have a role to play in suicide prevention,” Pond explained. “It is important to know how powerful being there can be.”

Suicide Prevention Month is recognized each September. On Sept. 13, McGuire will host its annual resource fair and feature speakers from the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition. The program will highlight how to “Raise Your Voice” to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts. The resource fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the mall area, and the Raise Your Voice presentation will take place immediately after, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

McGuire has also accepted the Mayor’s Challenge, an initiative in the city of Richmond working to prevent suicide among Veterans, service members and families. The challenge involves helping Veterans access resources and providing support before, during and after a crisis.

Suicide prevention is a top priority in VA health care. VA employees work daily to reach at-risk Veterans and distribute information about how to help the community.

For more information about Veterans’ suicide prevention, contact Stephanie Nicholas at 804-675-5000, ext. 1042 or Laura Pond at 804-675-5000, ext. 4554. •

• Often appearing sad or depressed• Hopelessness• Anxiety• Agitation• Excessive guilt• Withdrawal from family and friends• Losing interest in activities• Increasing alcohol or drug use• Anger/irritability• Feels like a burden or no sense of purpose

• Thinking about hurting/killing themselves• Looking for suicide methods• Talking about death and suicide• Self destructive behavior (i.e. drug abuse and/or self harm)

Many Veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves before doing so, but some actions can be a sign a person needs help. Veterans in crisis may show behaviors that indicate a risk of self-harm. The following can all be warning signs:

The following signs require immediate attention:

McGUIRE MONTHLY AUGUST 2018

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SECOND FISHER HOUSE TO BREAK GROUND ON FOUNDER’S BIRTHDAYSince 2008, Richmond Fisher House has

provided housing for more than 7,000 families of Veterans receiving treatment at McGuire VA Medical Center. Although the house in Richmond is only 10 years old, the Fisher House Foundation has provided housing for military families for nearly 30 years.

Construction worker Zachary Fisher was an avid supporter of the military, yet was unable to serve in combat during World War II due to an injury. Determined to give back to his nation despite his ailment, Fisher and his wife, Elizabeth, established the Fisher House Foundation in 1990. The nonprofit has grown tremendously, creating more than 76 Fisher Houses, 32 of which are located on VA hospital grounds.

Ten years ago, the Fisher House Foundation funded a house at McGuire. Wayne Walker, manager of the Richmond Fisher House, enthusiastically described how it has evolved since its construction.

“When the house was first built, we had 80 percent occupancy,” Walker said. “Now, we

are almost always at capacity and there is sometimes a waiting list.”

Demand for lodging at Richmond Fisher House has increased so much that groundbreaking for a second facility will occur Sept. 26, the 108th birthday of the late Zachary Fisher. Walker, who served for 25 years in the Army, advocated for this date to serve as a symbol of how the Fishers’ legacy continues to provide places of comfort and compassion for Veterans’ families.

A second Fisher House will increase total accommodations to between 100 and 120 families per month, doubling the current capacity. Walker said he looks forward to the creation of additional housing and that he is always trying to provide the best customer service to our Veterans and their families.

The Richmond Fisher House Foundation provides invaluable services for the families of Veterans. For more information about this house and its mission, visit richmondfisherhouse.org. •

By Sydney Dudley

On Aug. 8, McGuire VA Medical Center hosted a skills fair for doctors and nurses in the emergency department. Displays at the event addressed important topics like women’s health and stroke medications, and demonstrations allowed employees to practice operating new equipment. The skills fair served as an opportunity for medical professionals to unite to improve and modernize Veterans’ healthcare. Pictured are some of the skills fair attendees.

CLC PURPLE HEART RECOGNITIONFour CLC residents were honorarily inducted into Chapter 1965 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart on Friday, Aug. 10.

804-675-5000 · 1201 BROAD ROCK BOULEVARD, RICHMOND, VA 23249 · WWW.RICHMOND.VA.GOV