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June 2008
Message from the Acting Network Director
We have all just observed Memorial Day, a solemn time to honor the memory of those who made extraordinary sacrifices in the defense of our country. Each Memorial Day serves as a reminder of these sacrifices, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are very fortunate as VA employees to work in an organization with a mission to provide the best care to a most deserving group of citizens – our nation’s veterans. That mission confirms everything we do as VA employees and demands the highest standards of performance from each of us.
I want to thank all of you for your participation in the recent VHA All Employee Survey. Across VA New England, we had a 77% response rate. Soon, we will receive the specific results for our network and develop action plans as appropriate. It is my goal to ensure that we continue to improve and make VA New England an "employer of choice."
In this issue of New England Connections, you will read about the recent conference held on May 15 on the topic of Traumatic Brain Injury and Polytrauma. This was a wonderful learning opportunity and attended by over 150 VA New England and Department of Defense staff who continue to find ways to improve their clinical skills and ensure that we are meeting the needs of those seriously injured veterans as they progress in their treatment and move closer to their homes throughout New England.
As we enter the Summer season, my sincere thanks and appreciation go out to all of the staff who make VA New England a great health care system to receive compassionate and safe quality care – every day of the year.
Sincerely,
Tammy A. Follensbee
Acting Network Director
CARES Decision:
VA Retains Facilities at Four Boston Campuses
After a detailed three-year Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) study, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided it will continue to provide services at its four Boston-area campuses -- Bedford, Brockton, Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury.
"The potential benefits to be gained from any consolidation do not justify the disruption to veterans or to our first-class health care system in Boston," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "For the future, VA is prepared to provide health care for Boston veterans at its current four campuses."
In announcing his decision, the VA secretary said there may be opportunities at the existing campuses for reuse of vacant land and buildings to provide benefits to veterans. VA will continue to strategically plan for the needs of veterans in the Boston area, taking into account veteran population trends, enrollment projections and changes in demographics of veteran health care needs and utilization.
For more information on the CARES study, visit www.va.gov/cares.
National Center on PTSD Receives Additional Funding
 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake has allocated an additional $2 million to the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), headquartered at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction. The National Center for PTSD is a center of excellence with seven divisions extending from New England to Hawaii. This funding will go toward expanding the staffing, research, and educational capability of the center which is the nation’s leader in PTSD research.
According to a recent RAND study, nearly one in five Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans - 300,000 total - report symptoms of PTSD or major depression.
VISN 1 Awarded HealthierUS Veterans Mini Grants
 The VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) has awarded VA New England three HealthierUS Veterans mini grants. The grants are for use with veterans programs that promote NCP program goals for the initiative "Be active, Eat healthy, Get fit for life".
Congratulations to award recipients:
Amy Bachand, psychology intern, VA Boston HCS - Step Up to Your Health: Promoting Stair Use in Veterans at a VAMC
Marie Purser, RN, primary care, Togus VAMC (Saco CBOC) - Exercise While you Wait: It’s Easy and Fun
Seth Maas, dietitian, and Anne-Marie Sheerman, secretary to the associate director, Northampton VAMC - Freedom Trail West
A total of 40 awards were available for competition and 160 applications were submitted by VISNs nation-wide. Proposals were evaluated on potential impact of the project, positive reflection on NCP goals, community partnerships, and evidence-based projects.
Each grant awarded has a value of $2,500.
Clergy Workshop Reaches Out to Returning Combat Veterans
As part of the White House "Faith-Based Community Initiatives" mandate, members of the VA Boston Healthcare System along with key community members presented an all day clergy workshop. The program was held at the Rocky Hill Soldiers Home in Rocky Hill, Conn., on May 8, 2008. Over 60 local pastors from the State of Connecticut, including 2 chaplains of the Connecticut National Guard and 10 Yale Divinity School students of Pastoral Theology in New Haven, Conn., participated in the workshop.
The workshop provided an overall briefing on various concerns confronting returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and what signs and symptoms to look for while they readjust to civilian life, family life and community life. The secondary purpose was to familiarize local clergy with resources available through VA and how to refer veterans seeking services.
Speakers for the program were invited by Commissioner Linda Spoonster-Schwartz, Veteran Services for the State of Connecticut, and Reverend Doctor Steven Sidorak, Jr., executive director, Connecticut Christian Conference. Father Phil Salois, MS, chief of chaplain service, VA Boston HCS, and VISN 1 chaplain program manager, gave a presentation on "Post-Traumatic Spiritual Disorder" and helped local pastors on methods to make their congregations a welcoming community experience for veterans and military families. Mel Tapper, PhD, LICSW, Returning Combat Veterans Program manager, VA Boston HCS, gave a presentation on traumatic brain injury. Meredith Powers-Lupo, LICSW, lead suicide prevention coordinator, VA Boston HCS, gave a presentation on "Suicide Prevention – Signs and Symptoms".
Alma Hart, a Gold Star Mother of PFC John Hart who was killed in Iraq on October 18, 2003, spoke about what Gold Star families go through from the "knock on the door" through the media blitz and the aftermath of grieving. Brian Barkman, a returned veteran of Iraq along with his wife, presented what it is like to move from citizen-soldier to warrior and back to civilian, and how this affects the veteran and the family.
Dr. Kristen Leslie, associate professor, Pastoral Theology, Yale Divinity School, closed the workshop with a theological presentation, "A Pastoral Response to War and Returning Veterans."
 Pictured left to right: Alma Hart, Gold Star Mother; Linda Spoonster-Schwartz, RN, PhD, commissioner, Veteran Services for the State of Connecticut; Reverend Dr. Steve Sidorak, president, Christian Conference of Connecticut; Fr. Phil Salois, VA Boston HCS; and Sarah and Brian Barkman. Mr. Barkman is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran of the Connecticut National Guard who spoke about issues returning to civilian life.
VISN 1 Holds TBI /Polytrauma Conference
On May 15, 2008, the VA New England Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Service Line held a program titled "Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)/ Polytrauma Conference", in the auditorium at Bedford VAMC. The purpose of the program was to provide participants with current information relative to the Polytrauma System of Care and the care and treatment of its patients.
The keynote speaker for the program was Sharon Benedict, PhD, from the Richmond VAMC Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Benedict is the 2007 winner of the Olin E. Teague National Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation. She provided an overview of the Polytrauma System of Care and in-depth presentation on the Family Education manual developed by her team at Richmond VAMC.
Penny Schuckers, director, VISN 1 Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Service Line, introduced a video presentation of a patient who recounted his experiences following his injuries in Iraq and treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Richmond VAMC and the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center at VA Connecticut Healthcare System.
Additional presentations featured at the program included:
- Screening for TBI/Polytrauma Patients - Carlos Tun, MD, VA Boston HCS
- Definitions and Complexity of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Jeffrey Knight, PhD, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston HCS
- Visual Consequences for the TBI/Polytrauma Patient - Kara Gagnon, OD, VA Connecticut HCS
- Prosthetic Programs and Services to assist TBI/Polytrauma Patients (including a view of the CAD/CAM limb system) - Dustin Thompson, VISN 1 Prosthetics manager; and Luke Richards, CPO, prosthetist/orthotist, VA Boston HCS
"Rolling Thunder" Visits Providence VAMC
On May 20, 2008, motorcycle enthusiasts and participants in the National Veterans Awareness Ride visited Providence VA Medical Center. Participants made a 10-day ride from Wisconsin to Washington D.C. through the scenic Heartland of America. Initiated in 2005, it was started as a way to honor and respect veterans; call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action and emphasize the importance that in wartime no one is left behind; remember those killed in action who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom; and to educate all generations that "Freedom is not Free."
Approximately 36 motorcycles, including six motorcycle policemen, rolled into Providence VAMC to visit with hospitalized veterans.
MIRECC Research
Computer Treatment Can Help Addicts Stop Drug Use
VISN 1 MIRECC researchers have shown that a computer-delivered coping skills training program boosts treatment success when added to a traditional outpatient treatment program. Seventy-seven drug abusing patients entering treatment were given either standard care or standard care with the addition of a multimedia computer program based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT uses the learning process to train individuals how to change addictive behaviors. When used for drug abuse treatment, CBT helps patients recognize situations in which they are most likely to use drugs, avoid these situations when appropriate and cope more effectively with a range of drug-related problems.
In this eight week treatment study, patients who used the computer-based program had fewer drug-positive urine specimens and had longer periods of abstinence during treatment compared to patients who only met with a counselor. This is the first time that a computer-based treatment has been shown work with drug abusers in treatment programs.
Counseling is a key component of drug abuse treatment. Up to this point, the only concept of individual drug abuse counseling was for patients to be face-to-face with a therapist. Barriers to treatment delivery include limited availability of skilled therapists, need for coordination of schedules and need for transportation to treatment.
This research represents a breakthrough because it delivers a proven behavioral therapy in a user-friendly online format that can be administered at any time and anywhere there is a computer, including the patient’s home.
MIRECC researcher Kathleen Carroll led this research team that included MIRECC Director Bruce Rounsaville and Yale researchers Samuel Ball, Steve Martino, Charla Nich, Theresa Babuscio, Kathryn Nuro, Melissa Gordon and Galina Portnoy.
News Around the Network
Bedford VAMC - Bedford VAMC selected Cathy St. Pierre, Ph.D. and Lynn Caesar, Ph.D., recipients of the Samueli Institute Scholarship, to attend the sixth annual Business and Leadership Strategies for Integrative Healthcare conference held May. The Samueli Institute is one of an elite group of organizations in the nation with a track record in complementary and integrative medicine, healing relationships and military medical research.
VA Boston HCS - A System-wide Organizational Assessment and Review Strategy (SOARS) team will conduct a site visit at VA Boston HCS from June 3-6. The team will assess the systems and processes in place to address the needs and requirements of internal, external, oversight and accreditation customers, partners and agencies.
VA Connecticut HCS - VHA Office of Research and Development conducted a Research Infrastructure Evaluation and Improvement Project survey on May 6-8 at the VA Connecticut HCS West Haven campus. In other news...The Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Conn., will begin offering free screenings to veterans for symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. The hospital will send out mailings to veterans’ groups, physicians, colleges and churches to encourage service members who were exposed to roadside blasts or other head traumas to get a TBI screening. Veterans with symptoms will be referred to VA Connecticut HCS for follow-up.
Manchester VAMC - On May 5, Dr. Marc F. Levenson, director, Manchester VAMC, met with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and New Hampshire Medical Society Executive Vice President Palmer Jones. Discussion took place on improving the care of veterans who use private sector providers and improved collaboration between providers and VA health care.
Northampton VAMC - The triennial System-wide Organizational Assessment and Review Strategy (SOARS) site visit at Northampton VAMC was conducted May 5-9. In other news...National AMVETS Auxiliary Commander Heidi Dineen visited Northampton VAMC on May 10. Ms. Dineen visited patients and received a tour of the facility.
Providence VAMC - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hosted a VA Employee Appreciation Day on May 1 at Providence VAMC. VFW members served food throughout the day and evening to express their thanks to VA employees and volunteers for their commitment to caring for our Nation's veterans. In other news... On May 12, Providence VAMC hosted a meeting to discuss the emerging needs of community
residential care. The keynote speaker was Senator Jack Reed. The meeting included an overview of community residential care and a review of the Community Residential Care Provider's Guide.
Togus VAMC - On May 17, Togus VAMC hosted a local American Legion initiative to celebrate Memorial Day. American Legion members, volunteers and Togus staff placed more than 400 flags in front of the main hospital and 2100 flags on veteran graves in the Togus National Cemetery. The flags remained in place through Memorial Day.
White River Junction VAMC - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James Peake has accepted an invitation from Senator Bernie Sanders to visit Vermont on June 23. In other news...On May 14, the Vermont Council for Quality recognized White River Junction VAMC with a "2007 Commitment Level" award which recognizes organizational commitment to adopting and applying principles of performance improvement through the self-assessment process.
Congratulations
Betty Acheson, CAVS, chief of voluntary service, White River Junction VAMC, was sworn in as the president of the New England Association Directors of Healthcare Volunteers Services 2008-2009 at the Annual Spring Conference held in Simsbury, Conn., on May 19 - 22.
Khaja N. Ahmed, MD, FACHE, staff physician, Primary Care, Providence VAMC, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation's leading professional society for healthcare leaders.
Kitty Cogley, VISN 1 DSS Site manager at Togus VAMC, was recently recognized by VA Central Office for her dedication and professionalism in direct support of the VA National Provider Identifier project. The group developed a design for implementation of multiple active provider taxonomy codes through the use DSS Identifiers (stop codes).
Miriam Daley, volunteer, Bedford VAMC, is the recipient of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) George Seal Memorial Award for 2008. The award will be presented at the DAV National Convention in August 2008. Ms. Daley will be recognized for her extraordinary volunteer dedication to the needs of disabled veterans through the VA Voluntary Service Program.
Nancy Freeman, MD, chief of hematology/ oncology, Providence VAMC and clinical associate professor of medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, is the recipient of a prestigious Beckwith Family Teaching Award from the school’s Department of Medicine.
Lorna J. Hatch, voluntary service specialist, Togus VAMC, was selected as the National Veterans of Foreign Wars 2008 Outstanding VA Health Care Employee of the Year.
Gary Kaplan, MD, chief of mental health, VA Boston HCS, has been conferred the designation of Distinguished Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Dr. Kaplan received this honor on May 5 at the APA annual meeting in Washington D.C.
Jeff A. Nechanicky, FACHE, financial manager, Northampton VAMC, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development.
Erin Clare Sears, LICSW, social worker, Providence VAMC, was selected 2008 Social Worker of the Year in Health/Mental Health by the National Association of Social Workers, Rhode Island Chapter.
Brian Stiller, director, Togus VAMC, was honored by the Maine Department of the Disabled American Veterans as the "Outstanding VHA Member of the Year" in Maine.
Michael Vezeridis, MD, FACS, chief of surgical service, Providence VAMC and Rhode Island State chair, was honored for his outstanding leadership and extensive collaboration with the American Cancer Society (ACS). Dr. Vezeridis is a member of the ACS International Affairs Advisory Committee to address issues of access to care. He served on the ACS New England Division Board for eight years and as chief medical officer for two years. In addition to serving as an ACS Celebration on the Hill Ambassador - advocating positive state and local legislation in support of cancer research, prevention and treatment - he is a member of the Rhode Island Advisory Committee on Policy and Advocacy and a member of the Rhode Island Grassroots Advocacy Board.
Amy E. Wallace, MD, MPH, National Center for Patient Safety & Quality, White River Junction VAMC, had a paper titled, "The U.S. military as a natural experiment: changes in drinking age, military environment, and later alcohol treatment episodes among veterans," accepted for publication in Military Medicine.
Excellence in Government Awards
- Karen-Acerra Williams, health system specialist, Director’s Office - Professional/Administrative Employee of the Year
- Debbie Deegan, LCSW, Errera Community Care Center - Distinguished Federal Supervisor
- Carl "Mick" Dillon, MSN, specialty care - Distinguished Federal Manager
- Errera Community Care Center Peer Specialist Team - Outstanding Diversity Contribution Award
- Errera Community Care Center Staff - Award for Creativity and Innovation
- Douglas Fernandez, facilities management service - Award for Administrative Excellence
- Lynda Rubano, MSN, nursing service - Professional Employee of the Year (Administrative)
- Margaret Veazey, MSN, nurse executive - Distinguished Federal Executive
- Primary Care CBOC Somersworth - Outstanding Customer Service Award for a group or team
- Kathleen Soucy - administrative support assistant - Outstanding Customer Service Award for an individual
- Maura Flynn, RNP, Medical Service - Professional Category.
- Craig Polucha, chief, Human Resources - Administrative Category
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