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VA New England Healthcare System

 

Veterans' Healthy Living, Fall 2013

VHL Fall 2013 cover
Print | Web

Michael F. Mayo-SmithDear Veterans

A Message from the Network Director

Michael F. Mayo-Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
Network Director

 

This edition of Veterans' Healthy Living is filled with a wide range of topics that includes information on current research, caregiver support programs, a salute to our Veterans, and how you can nominate an employee or volunteer for a Network Director I CARE Award.

On page 3, you will find the heartwarming article Operation Thank You Salutes Our Veterans. Operation Thank You is an organization started in 2009 by Bob Page and Irene Finneral but has since expanded to include a large group of dedicated individuals who go out and visit with Veterans at nursing homes or Veterans’ homes.

What is Gulf War Illness? Read Working to Solve the Mystery of Gulf War Illness on page 4 to see if you can help VA answer the question and solve the mystery.

For years, Patti Crimmin-Greenan, Palliative Care Coordinator at White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont, noted that numerous Veterans had little or no family or caregiver support available at the end of life, and many died alone. Read page 5 to find out what she did to ensure that no Veteran dies alone.

“How sweet it is to get recognition for the work I love, employees I love, and Veterans I love,” said Laurel Holland, recipient of the Network Director I CARE Award. Read page 6 to see how you can nominate an employee or volunteer who you feel has gone above or beyond demonstrating the I CARE Core Values.

On page 7, you will find the article Women’s Health Sciences Division Meets Changing Needs. With the drastic changes in military service in recent years, VA is meeting the changing needs with interesting and informative research for our women Veterans. Also on page 7 is the VA Supports Caregivers article. VA recognizes the struggles that caregivers face, and we are here for you every step of the way!

We at the VA New England Healthcare System want you to know that it is truly a privilege assisting you with your health care needs. Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you!


Michael F. Mayo-Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
Network Director

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