“VA Photos of the Week” highlight the connections made between our employees and the Veterans they serve every day at VA medical centers, regional offices, and national cemeteries across the country.
This week, photographers from Dallas, Houston, the Battle Creek VAMC, and at the Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass shared their photos with us.
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What a catch! Look at one of our Veterans who schooled those fishes at the 33rd National Disabled Veteran Winter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass, Colorado.
The annual clinic, hosted by VA and DAV (Disabled American Veterans), serves as a world leader in adaptive winter sports instruction for injured Veterans and promotes sports therapy and rehabilitation through adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, sled hockey, scuba diving, and other adaptive sports and activities.
Douglas Maddox, Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery Director, pins a Vietnam War service pin on Roy Holloway, a U.S. Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient of his service in Vietnam.
More than 70 Vietnam War Veterans were recognized for their service by the leaders of VA North Texas and the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dr. Stephen Holt and Douglas Maddox, with a service pin, certificate of appreciation and a professional portrait to honor their service and sacrifice to the nation.
Photo by Jeffrey Clapper.
A Vietnam Veteran at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center looking at the Michigan Vietnam Traveling Wall during the National Vietnam War Veterans Day event on March 29, 2019.
The Michigan Vietnam Traveling Wall is a memorial to the men and women from Michigan who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. It is also a silent message of “We Will Never Forget and Always Remember.”
Photo by Patrick Gault.
During the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War program held in the Houston National Cemetery, Local Area Active Duty Navy unit who were requested to be in attendance remained in formation for the duration of the program.
Photo by Celethia D. Reed.
United States Navy Veteran Lynwood Barnes shares a little of his story with VA North Texas Health Care System staff and fellow Veterans on April 2, 2019. Barnes served aboard the USS Norfolk from 1966-1971 as a Ship’s Serviceman.
Originally from Buffalo, Texas, he has called Dallas home since the ’60s and has been receiving his health care at VA North Texas for several years. “I didn’t come to the VA before because I’d see other Veterans who needed service more than me,” says Barnes. But now, he says he’s grateful for everything the VA has done for him.
Thank you for your service, Sir. We are honored to be able to be here for you.
Photo by Michael Cole.
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Mr. Fuller,
If you feel your concerns are not being addressed by your treatment team, you may contact a VA Patient Advocate. A Patient Advocate is an employee who is specifically designated at each VHA facility to manage the feedback received from veterans, family members and friends. The Patient Advocate works directly with management and employees to facilitate resolutions. You may contact the Patient Advocate at your facility.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to make sure you get the best care possible. VA supports your right to present concerns, unmet needs, or complaints to us without fear of reprisal or having your access to care compromised. A Patient Advocacy Program is in place at each VA health care facility to ensure that your concerns are addressed in a convenient and timely manner.
Patient Advocates are highly trained professionals who help resolve your concerns about any aspect of your health care experience, particularly those concerns that cannot be resolved at the point of care. Each Patient Advocate is empowered to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to by law.
Patient Advocates act as VA representatives to listen to any questions, problems, or special needs you may have. They will refer your concerns to the appropriate Medical Center staff for resolution and act on your behalf to assist in explaining your point of view. Patient Advocates can be reached through the nursing or support staff in any clinical area.
It is bad when a Veterans group helps you fill out forms and request that it be placed in the 30 day program. I called after 45 days to see if there was a problem, or if more information was needed, and was rudely told that she (the VA person that answered) did not feel that it applied to me, and that the recommendation was being placed in with the regular requests, and that it would be an approximate wait of 458 days for it to be reviewed. I asked if there was a way to appeal this, she said NO and hung up. I was really wandering how she came up with 458 days, approximately. I thought you might wander also. It appears that the 30 day slots are given to the guys and gals who served in the Great Sandbox. There needs to be one place to call and report this kind of treatment.
Thank you for taking time to read this.