Funeral homes and families seeking to schedule a burial at a VA national cemetery should...
Flooding in the St. Louis area is affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Scheduling and Eligibility Office due to road closures and limited staff.
Funeral homes and families seeking to schedule a burial, and are unable to reach someone at 1-800-535-1117, should call the local cemetery where the decedent is to be interred.
For a complete listing of all VA national cemeteries' contact information, visit the National Cemetery Administration web page.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery Listing
National Cemeteries
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 135 national cemeteries in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument sites. Please note that there is not a VA national cemetery in every state.
State Veterans Cemeteries
Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is similar to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries, but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states. We cannot answer your questions or comments about any of these veterans cemeteries. Please contact the specific cemetery for information.
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US Department of Veterans Affairs
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US Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
810 Vermont Avenue, NorthWest
Washington, D.C. 20420, United States
1-800-827-1000
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
UPDATE
Inside Veterans Health
AF Veteran Helping Veterans Out of Addiction
Air Force Veteran Willie DeWayne Raulerson had been drinking for 50 years. But when he finally decided to ask VA for help he found not only sobriety, but a purpose in life.Read the full story
Peer Support Specialist DeWayne Raulerson routinely shares his personal story of recovery with fellow Veterans at the Tucson VA. Photo by Clifford Baser
Peer Support Specialist DeWayne Raulerson routinely shares his personal story of recovery with fellow Veterans at the Tucson VA. Photo by Clifford Baser
“If she had let me leave that Friday afternoon I wouldn’t have come back,” he admitted. “I know it. I wouldn’t have come back.”
The Air Force Veteran said he’s also eternally grateful to someone else there at the Tucson VA: his addiction therapist.
“After 50 years of drinking it took this one man to flip the switch in my brain. He told me I did not ever have to drink again as long as I live. At first I thought he was an arrogant jerk. But he just struck me somehow, and I started listening to him…
“He’s a Veteran himself, with 16 years of recovery, so he didn’t play around. He told me, ‘If you want help, I’ll help you. If you don’t want help, if you’re not done drinking, go back out and finish.’
Tough words, but they struck home with Raulerson. “I said to myself, ‘This makes sense. I might ought to listen to this man.’
And so he listened.
A Different Ending
“I became teachable,” he said. “I was able to take my addiction out of my brain and move forward into a new life. I learned what gratitude is. My relationship with my wife, my children and my grandchildren changed from abandonment to trust and respect.”
He continued: “I realize that at my age I do not have enough time left to make up for the pain I have caused in the lives of the people I love and who love me. I’ve made my amends with that. I cannot rewrite the book of my life, but thanks to the VA I can change the ending.”
Raulerson is changing the ending by paying forward what VA has given him. He’s now one of seven full-time peer support specialists at the Tucson VA, helping other Veterans find their way out of addiction. He’s been at it, nearly every day, for six years.
“They’re actually paying me to do something I love to do,” he said. “I’ve found my purpose in life. And by the grace of God that’s how I stay clean and sober, listening to these Veterans who come here looking for help. I listen to their stories and I tell them my story. I’m here to navigate them through their recovery and let them know they are not alone.”
But success can be elusive, especially when it comes to beating addiction. Raulerson admitted that most Veterans seeking recovery don’t find it, at least not right away.
“Right now I’m teaching a class of 18 in-patients and numerous out-patients,” he said. “Three of them will make it if they’re lucky. But I don’t get discouraged. If I can help one person then I’ve done all I can do.”
Raulerson said he encourages anyone suffering with addiction to get the help they need now, not later. “Time is something you can never get back,” he said. “Ask for help now, because the definition of courage is ‘doing the next right thing even though you are afraid.’
“I was 65-years-old and drank for 50 years prior to coming to the VA for help,” he added. “I just want Vets to know that it’s never too late.”
Are you a Veteran suffering with alcohol or drug addiction or know a Veteran who is? VA can help. Visit https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substanceabuse.asp
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AF Veteran Helping Veterans Out of Addiction from Veterans Health in Washington, D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
UPDATE
Inside Veterans HealthAF Veteran Helping Veterans Out of Addiction
Air Force Veteran Willie DeWayne Raulerson had been drinking for 50 years. But when he finally decided to ask VA for help he found not only sobriety, but a purpose in life.Read the full story
Peer Support Specialist DeWayne Raulerson routinely shares his personal story of recovery with fellow Veterans at the Tucson VA. Photo by Clifford Baser
A little over six years ago Willie DeWayne Raulerson woke up beside a dumpster. The dumpster was conveniently located behind his favorite bar. A little over six years ago Willie DeWayne Raulerson woke up beside a dumpster. The dumpster was conveniently located behind his favorite bar.
“It was called ‘The Driftwood,’” he said. “I’d been drinking there for 25 years. Everybody I drank with loved me because I kept them entertained. I was a comedian; I made them laugh.”
But on some level Raulerson knew the laughter and good times could not continue forever. At some point the party was going to end. And one night it did, beside the dumpster.
“After 50 years of drinking it took this one man to flip the switch in my brain.”
“I always had a premonition about that dumpster,” he mused. “I told myself that if I ever woke up next to that dumpster, it would mean I’d finally hit bottom.”
He had hit the bottom. Raulerson’s dumpster premonition had become reality.
“I woke up that morning in my usual stupor,” said the 72-year-old Air Force Veteran. “I got on one knee and all I said was, ‘God help me.’ I called my wife of 48 years, Darleen, and asked her to give me a ride to the VA…
“That decision changed my life,” he added.
But not so fast. Raulerson's addiction still had one last trick up its sleeve.
One West
“I got here at the Tucson VA on a Friday afternoon,” he said. “But I was already planning my weekend. It was one of those three-day weekends, and I was pissed that I wouldn’t be able to drink. So my plan was to go out, get drunk and come back to the VA later.”
But it seems the in-take specialist there at the Tucson VA had a different plan for Raulerson.
“She had me sit in this wheelchair,” he said. “Then she and this policeman wheeled me down to a place they call ‘One West.’ Everybody knows what One West is.”
For those who don’t, ‘One West’ is the Tucson VA’s kinder, gentler version of the Drunk Tank –a safe place where alcoholics can dry out, rest up a bit and perhaps re-evaluate their lives.
“I was there for three days,” Raulerson said. “Then they took me to a place called ‘Stabilization.’ I was there two months.”
From there Raulerson checked himself into Tucson’s in-house Substance Abuse Treatment Program, where he began attending classes, AA meetings, group sessions and individual therapy sessions.
His road to recovery had begun.
But on some level Raulerson knew the laughter and good times could not continue forever. At some point the party was going to end. And one night it did, beside the dumpster.
“After 50 years of drinking it took this one man to flip the switch in my brain.”
“I always had a premonition about that dumpster,” he mused. “I told myself that if I ever woke up next to that dumpster, it would mean I’d finally hit bottom.”
He had hit the bottom. Raulerson’s dumpster premonition had become reality.
“I woke up that morning in my usual stupor,” said the 72-year-old Air Force Veteran. “I got on one knee and all I said was, ‘God help me.’ I called my wife of 48 years, Darleen, and asked her to give me a ride to the VA…
“That decision changed my life,” he added.
But not so fast. Raulerson's addiction still had one last trick up its sleeve.
One West
“I got here at the Tucson VA on a Friday afternoon,” he said. “But I was already planning my weekend. It was one of those three-day weekends, and I was pissed that I wouldn’t be able to drink. So my plan was to go out, get drunk and come back to the VA later.”
But it seems the in-take specialist there at the Tucson VA had a different plan for Raulerson.
“She had me sit in this wheelchair,” he said. “Then she and this policeman wheeled me down to a place they call ‘One West.’ Everybody knows what One West is.”
For those who don’t, ‘One West’ is the Tucson VA’s kinder, gentler version of the Drunk Tank –a safe place where alcoholics can dry out, rest up a bit and perhaps re-evaluate their lives.
“I was there for three days,” Raulerson said. “Then they took me to a place called ‘Stabilization.’ I was there two months.”
From there Raulerson checked himself into Tucson’s in-house Substance Abuse Treatment Program, where he began attending classes, AA meetings, group sessions and individual therapy sessions.
His road to recovery had begun.
Peer Support Specialist DeWayne Raulerson routinely shares his personal story of recovery with fellow Veterans at the Tucson VA. Photo by Clifford Baser
The Light Switch“
Raulerson said he’s still grateful to VA in-take specialist who ruined his plans for an alcohol-fueled three-day weekend spent at the Driftwood.“If she had let me leave that Friday afternoon I wouldn’t have come back,” he admitted. “I know it. I wouldn’t have come back.”
The Air Force Veteran said he’s also eternally grateful to someone else there at the Tucson VA: his addiction therapist.
“After 50 years of drinking it took this one man to flip the switch in my brain. He told me I did not ever have to drink again as long as I live. At first I thought he was an arrogant jerk. But he just struck me somehow, and I started listening to him…
“He’s a Veteran himself, with 16 years of recovery, so he didn’t play around. He told me, ‘If you want help, I’ll help you. If you don’t want help, if you’re not done drinking, go back out and finish.’
Tough words, but they struck home with Raulerson. “I said to myself, ‘This makes sense. I might ought to listen to this man.’
And so he listened.
A Different Ending
“I became teachable,” he said. “I was able to take my addiction out of my brain and move forward into a new life. I learned what gratitude is. My relationship with my wife, my children and my grandchildren changed from abandonment to trust and respect.”
He continued: “I realize that at my age I do not have enough time left to make up for the pain I have caused in the lives of the people I love and who love me. I’ve made my amends with that. I cannot rewrite the book of my life, but thanks to the VA I can change the ending.”
Raulerson is changing the ending by paying forward what VA has given him. He’s now one of seven full-time peer support specialists at the Tucson VA, helping other Veterans find their way out of addiction. He’s been at it, nearly every day, for six years.
“They’re actually paying me to do something I love to do,” he said. “I’ve found my purpose in life. And by the grace of God that’s how I stay clean and sober, listening to these Veterans who come here looking for help. I listen to their stories and I tell them my story. I’m here to navigate them through their recovery and let them know they are not alone.”
But success can be elusive, especially when it comes to beating addiction. Raulerson admitted that most Veterans seeking recovery don’t find it, at least not right away.
“Right now I’m teaching a class of 18 in-patients and numerous out-patients,” he said. “Three of them will make it if they’re lucky. But I don’t get discouraged. If I can help one person then I’ve done all I can do.”
Raulerson said he encourages anyone suffering with addiction to get the help they need now, not later. “Time is something you can never get back,” he said. “Ask for help now, because the definition of courage is ‘doing the next right thing even though you are afraid.’
“I was 65-years-old and drank for 50 years prior to coming to the VA for help,” he added. “I just want Vets to know that it’s never too late.”
Are you a Veteran suffering with alcohol or drug addiction or know a Veteran who is? VA can help. Visit https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substanceabuse.asp
Keep updated & let us know how we're doing.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
810 Vermont Avenue, NorthWest
Washington, D.C. 20420, United States
877-222-VETS (877-222-8387)
Healthcare Inspection – Community Nursing Home Program Safety Concerns, VA Northern California Healthcare System, Mather, California
At the request of Congressman John Garamendi, OIG conducted a healthcare inspection to assess allegations concerning patient safety in the Community Nursing Home (CNH) Program at the VA Northern California Health Care System (facility), Mather, CA. We substantiated that a patient was admitted to a locked CNH Alzheimer care center and told the complainant that he was being held against his will. However, we determined the patient’s placement was appropriate because a facility psychiatrist deemed the patient lacked decision-making capacity regarding his living situation and had demonstrated an inability to safely and independently live in the community. We also substantiated a delay in the patient receiving hearing aids with mitigating circumstances. We did not substantiate that a patient was given opioid medications against his wishes or that he was denied physical therapy. However, we identified a delay in the patient obtaining prosthesis care and confusion about the provision of his mental health care. We concluded that communication and collaboration between facility and CNH staff needed improvement. We did not substantiate that facility staff did not report an alleged financial abuse to Adult Protective Services; however the reporting was not completed timely. We substantiated Non-VA Care Coordination (NVCC) consult authorization delays for services. For the reviewed consults, the approval was timely; however, on average, NVCC staff took an additional 24 days before faxing the authorization approval to the CNH. We determined that program staff needed to monitor the NVCC process and that NVCC staff needed to timely fax authorizations to the CNH. We did not substantiate facility consult service delays. CNH patients generally received the requested services within 30 days. We substantiated that program registered nurses or social workers did not consistently comply with the required monthly or quarterly patient visits in CNH facilities. We determined that regular visits would have provided program staff opportunities to identify and resolve CNH patient-specific issues. We recommended that the Facility Director ensure (1) coordination of MH appointments between facility and CNH providers, (2) timely reporting of suspected elder abuse; (3) timely delivery of authorizations for consulted services to contracted CNH staff and coordination of NVCC appointments for CNH patients, and (4) visits by program registered nurses and social workers to CNHs are conducted as required.
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG)
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Healthcare Inspection – Community Nursing Home Program Safety Concerns, VA Northern California Healthcare System, Mather, California from Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Washington, D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017Healthcare Inspection – Community Nursing Home Program Safety Concerns, VA Northern California Healthcare System, Mather, California
At the request of Congressman John Garamendi, OIG conducted a healthcare inspection to assess allegations concerning patient safety in the Community Nursing Home (CNH) Program at the VA Northern California Health Care System (facility), Mather, CA. We substantiated that a patient was admitted to a locked CNH Alzheimer care center and told the complainant that he was being held against his will. However, we determined the patient’s placement was appropriate because a facility psychiatrist deemed the patient lacked decision-making capacity regarding his living situation and had demonstrated an inability to safely and independently live in the community. We also substantiated a delay in the patient receiving hearing aids with mitigating circumstances. We did not substantiate that a patient was given opioid medications against his wishes or that he was denied physical therapy. However, we identified a delay in the patient obtaining prosthesis care and confusion about the provision of his mental health care. We concluded that communication and collaboration between facility and CNH staff needed improvement. We did not substantiate that facility staff did not report an alleged financial abuse to Adult Protective Services; however the reporting was not completed timely. We substantiated Non-VA Care Coordination (NVCC) consult authorization delays for services. For the reviewed consults, the approval was timely; however, on average, NVCC staff took an additional 24 days before faxing the authorization approval to the CNH. We determined that program staff needed to monitor the NVCC process and that NVCC staff needed to timely fax authorizations to the CNH. We did not substantiate facility consult service delays. CNH patients generally received the requested services within 30 days. We substantiated that program registered nurses or social workers did not consistently comply with the required monthly or quarterly patient visits in CNH facilities. We determined that regular visits would have provided program staff opportunities to identify and resolve CNH patient-specific issues. We recommended that the Facility Director ensure (1) coordination of MH appointments between facility and CNH providers, (2) timely reporting of suspected elder abuse; (3) timely delivery of authorizations for consulted services to contracted CNH staff and coordination of NVCC appointments for CNH patients, and (4) visits by program registered nurses and social workers to CNHs are conducted as required.
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG)
801 I Street NorthWest
Washington, D.C. 20536, United States
800-827-1000
The Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) shares these events as they may be of interest to minority Veterans and to raise awareness. Access the full calendar of events on the CMV Events webpage. If you would like to notify us of a relevant event in your area for consideration, please email us at 00M@va.gov.
NAACP 2nd Saturday Meeting [June 10, 2017]
05/02/2017 07:00 AM EDT
Albuquerque, New Mexico — Come out to the New Mexico Veterans Memorial to participate and learn about what’s going in Albuquerque’s African-American community. Learn more »
Keep updated & let us know how we're doing.
VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of any external web site links. These sites are provided for informational purposes only.
If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call 1-800-273-8255 and (PRESS 1) or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at https://iris.custhelp.com.
Explore VA benefits at explore.va.gov
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NorthWest
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CMV - Events Update from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017The Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) shares these events as they may be of interest to minority Veterans and to raise awareness. Access the full calendar of events on the CMV Events webpage. If you would like to notify us of a relevant event in your area for consideration, please email us at 00M@va.gov.
NAACP 2nd Saturday Meeting [June 10, 2017]
05/02/2017 07:00 AM EDT
Albuquerque, New Mexico — Come out to the New Mexico Veterans Memorial to participate and learn about what’s going in Albuquerque’s African-American community. Learn more »
Keep updated & let us know how we're doing.
VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of any external web site links. These sites are provided for informational purposes only.
If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call 1-800-273-8255 and (PRESS 1) or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at https://iris.custhelp.com.
Explore VA benefits at explore.va.gov
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NorthWest
Washington, D.C., 20420, United States-------
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Veterans Disability Benefits from Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Washington. D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Veterans Disability Benefits
Woman sentenced to prison for stealing nearly $400,000 in VA disability benefits.PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Veronica Dale Hahn, 60, of Bonifay, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 9 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $394,800.85 in restitution, after pleading guilty to theft of government funds on the second day of her trial in January. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
During the first two days of trial, the government presented evidence that, between November 2001 and February 2016, Hahn received $394,800.85 from the Department of Veterans Affairs in disability payments for 100% service-connected blindness in both eyes. Over the course of a decade and a half, Hahn told various doctors within the Veterans Health Administration and in private practice that she was almost completely blind. However, within a year of receiving her disability benefits for loss of vision, she obtained driver’s licenses in New Mexico, Alabama, and Florida with no vision restrictions, after passing vision exams in each state with at least 20/40 vision. During this time, Hahn was also observed driving her personal automobile on numerous occasions. Further, she worked full time as a case manager and transition counselor at several state correctional facilities. All of these activities required normal eyesight to perform her duties.
United States Attorney Canova said: “Instead of providing benefits and assistance to worthy veterans who are justifiably in need, significant resources from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs were diverted to uncover an extensive and persistent fraud by Ms. Hahn, who repeatedly gave dishonest information and collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to which she was not entitled. This case sends the message that you cannot make false disability claims and just walk away from such a crime.”
Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General – Southeast Field Office, said that this sentencing was the result of a successful multi-year investigation. “VA Disability Compensation Benefits are intended to provide for veterans with injuries or diseases related to their military service. Because of the successful investigative and prosecutive efforts of the VA OIG and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Veronica Hahn’s greed and deception will not go unchecked.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher J. Thielemann and Michael J. Frank.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
amy.alexander@usdoj.gov
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Veterans Disability Benefits from Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Washington. D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Veterans Disability Benefits
Woman sentenced to prison for stealing nearly $400,000 in VA disability benefits.PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Veronica Dale Hahn, 60, of Bonifay, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 9 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $394,800.85 in restitution, after pleading guilty to theft of government funds on the second day of her trial in January. The sentence was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
During the first two days of trial, the government presented evidence that, between November 2001 and February 2016, Hahn received $394,800.85 from the Department of Veterans Affairs in disability payments for 100% service-connected blindness in both eyes. Over the course of a decade and a half, Hahn told various doctors within the Veterans Health Administration and in private practice that she was almost completely blind. However, within a year of receiving her disability benefits for loss of vision, she obtained driver’s licenses in New Mexico, Alabama, and Florida with no vision restrictions, after passing vision exams in each state with at least 20/40 vision. During this time, Hahn was also observed driving her personal automobile on numerous occasions. Further, she worked full time as a case manager and transition counselor at several state correctional facilities. All of these activities required normal eyesight to perform her duties.
United States Attorney Canova said: “Instead of providing benefits and assistance to worthy veterans who are justifiably in need, significant resources from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs were diverted to uncover an extensive and persistent fraud by Ms. Hahn, who repeatedly gave dishonest information and collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to which she was not entitled. This case sends the message that you cannot make false disability claims and just walk away from such a crime.”
Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General – Southeast Field Office, said that this sentencing was the result of a successful multi-year investigation. “VA Disability Compensation Benefits are intended to provide for veterans with injuries or diseases related to their military service. Because of the successful investigative and prosecutive efforts of the VA OIG and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Veronica Hahn’s greed and deception will not go unchecked.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher J. Thielemann and Michael J. Frank.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
amy.alexander@usdoj.gov
Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG)
801 I Street NorthWest
Washington, D.C. 20536, United States
800-827-1000-------
Museum volunteer shares memories of nursing career from Military Health System in Washington, D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Museum volunteer shares memories of nursing careerRoseann Flyte, a volunteer at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, talks about the proper materials for a first aid kit during the NMHM’s “Scout Day” on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart)Roseann Flyte, a former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, still has a necklace her roommate in a hospital pediatric unit gave her when she was six years old as she was recovering from a broken arm. That childhood experience inspired her life-long career as a nurse and educator, and her background informs her ongoing activities as a volunteer at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM). NMHM, a Department of Defense museum and an element of the Defense Health Agency, is spotlighting nurses in and out of the armed forces during National Nurses Week 2017, May 6-12.
“I always liked volunteering; I wanted to be a nurse,” she said, first volunteering in a nursing home when she was a middle-school student.
Flyte learned about the NICU specialty in nursing school and was immediately hooked. After graduating from the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing, she spent 15 years working in the Lehigh Valley Hospital NICU in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Nurses worked in 12-hour shifts, forming close bonds with the parents and becoming attached to their tiny patients. The bonds lasted for months or even years, past even when nurses are responsible for post-hospital home care. Flyte feels that her nursing work was fulfilling, in both the hospital and home settings.
“The NICU was my passion,” she said. “In the NICU, you always spend time teaching the mothers how to take care of their children. I enjoyed getting to meet the families, and of course taking care of the children. It was really rewarding to be with them.”
Flyte went on to teach at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, where she’d earned her B.S.N., and at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. She still loved nursing, but also wanted to share what she had learned over the years.
She continues to both teach and learn by volunteering at NMHM. Her docent experiences at the museum bring back fond memories of nursing, especially when educating young children about the human body. Flyte meets military service members and veterans and their families when she is guiding gallery tours; they share with her their experiences serving in the military.
“I’ve heard stories from older generations visiting here,” she said. “They’re passing knowledge on to me about their experiences, too. We can teach each other.”
Another museum docent, Carolyn Whittenburg, was drawn to volunteering at NMHM nearly twenty years ago due to her life’s work as a nurse. Whittenburg received a nursing degree from the College of Wooster, Ohio and Columbia University, New York and a master’s degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio. She spent many years working in public health at various institutions. One of her fondest memories was working at the Cleveland Clinic, particularly with Dr. Willem Kolff, the father of artificial organs.
Join NMHM on Sat., May 6 at 1:00 p.m. for a special, docent-led tour to honor military nurses from the Civil War to the war in Iraq as we highlight contributions of military nurses from all of the service branches. Reservations are recommended but not required; call (301) 319-3303 or email for more information.
Read More ...
Reducing stigma of mental health care supports overall wellness
Museum volunteer shares memories of nursing career from Military Health System in Washington, D.C., United States for Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Museum volunteer shares memories of nursing careerRoseann Flyte, a volunteer at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, talks about the proper materials for a first aid kit during the NMHM’s “Scout Day” on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart)Roseann Flyte, a former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, still has a necklace her roommate in a hospital pediatric unit gave her when she was six years old as she was recovering from a broken arm. That childhood experience inspired her life-long career as a nurse and educator, and her background informs her ongoing activities as a volunteer at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM). NMHM, a Department of Defense museum and an element of the Defense Health Agency, is spotlighting nurses in and out of the armed forces during National Nurses Week 2017, May 6-12.
“I always liked volunteering; I wanted to be a nurse,” she said, first volunteering in a nursing home when she was a middle-school student.
Flyte learned about the NICU specialty in nursing school and was immediately hooked. After graduating from the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing, she spent 15 years working in the Lehigh Valley Hospital NICU in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Nurses worked in 12-hour shifts, forming close bonds with the parents and becoming attached to their tiny patients. The bonds lasted for months or even years, past even when nurses are responsible for post-hospital home care. Flyte feels that her nursing work was fulfilling, in both the hospital and home settings.
“The NICU was my passion,” she said. “In the NICU, you always spend time teaching the mothers how to take care of their children. I enjoyed getting to meet the families, and of course taking care of the children. It was really rewarding to be with them.”
Flyte went on to teach at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, where she’d earned her B.S.N., and at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. She still loved nursing, but also wanted to share what she had learned over the years.
She continues to both teach and learn by volunteering at NMHM. Her docent experiences at the museum bring back fond memories of nursing, especially when educating young children about the human body. Flyte meets military service members and veterans and their families when she is guiding gallery tours; they share with her their experiences serving in the military.
“I’ve heard stories from older generations visiting here,” she said. “They’re passing knowledge on to me about their experiences, too. We can teach each other.”
Another museum docent, Carolyn Whittenburg, was drawn to volunteering at NMHM nearly twenty years ago due to her life’s work as a nurse. Whittenburg received a nursing degree from the College of Wooster, Ohio and Columbia University, New York and a master’s degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio. She spent many years working in public health at various institutions. One of her fondest memories was working at the Cleveland Clinic, particularly with Dr. Willem Kolff, the father of artificial organs.
Join NMHM on Sat., May 6 at 1:00 p.m. for a special, docent-led tour to honor military nurses from the Civil War to the war in Iraq as we highlight contributions of military nurses from all of the service branches. Reservations are recommended but not required; call (301) 319-3303 or email for more information.
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Reducing stigma of mental health care supports overall wellness
USPHS Capt. Robert DeMartino, director of Mental Health Policy for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, shares insight on the importance of raising awareness for mental health and the need for ongoing, open conversations on the topic.
If you broke your arm, came down with pneumonia, or your child had a severe earache, you wouldn’t think twice about going to the doctor and getting treatment. Maintaining our health and receiving effective treatment for ourselves and our loved ones is a duty and responsibility. But what if the injury isn’t accompanied by physical pain, an x-ray finding, or an abnormal lab test? What is our duty and responsibility when it comes to good mental health?
Too often, service members, retirees, and their family members suffer the pain of stress, sadness, and worry without considering seeking care. And while some pains, like a simple headache, can be easily cared for at home, others require the attention of caregivers who can guide you toward relief and recovery. During Mental Health Awareness Month, leaders and health care providers in the Military Health System are stressing that mental health is as important as physical health. This year’s theme, “Let’s talk about it,” encourages a conversation about mental health to reduce the stigma and encourage seeing care.
Mental health is not a luxury. It affects our quality of life and our ability to accomplish the mission at hand. Our culture stigmatizes mental health conditions and seeking treatment, but we can chip away at this stigma by examining our own beliefs about mental health and challenging ourselves to consider what health is without mental health.
In the MHS, we actively promote available resources, and encourage everyone to get the help they need. The DoD’s commitment to health care is evident through mental health assessments, counseling, family support services, and treatment. The MHS shows its commitment to mental health care through unparalleled support and quality of care, and also by the way we allocate care. We encourage service members to ask for help, train our providers to provide the best care possible, and ensure crucial resources are available.
A critical element of ensuring the mental health of our service members, retirees, and their families is making it easy to find and receive care and support. The MHS provides individual, marriage, and family therapy, as well as intensive outpatient and inpatient care, available both in and outside our military treatment facilities. These avenues are only part of the available support, which also includes chaplain support in all the services, Army and Marine Corps community services, Fleet and Family Support Centers, military family life counselors, crisis lines, hotlines, Military OneSource, and a dozen other support programs that can directly provide assistance or get you to the right place to receive care.
We’ve updated our policies so they’re in line with the needs of our service members, retirees, and their families, including an update to the TRICARE policy to ensure beneficiaries gain better access to mental health care at lower costs. The policy update removed limits on the length of stay for beneficiaries in inpatient mental health treatment and residential treatment care for adolescents and children. It also took away limits on the number of annual visits beneficiaries are allowed for various mental health services, also reducing copayments and cost-shares.
In the MHS, we hold ourselves accountable in the mental health field by keeping track of our progress. When beneficiaries ask how well we provide care, our goal is to communicate thorough and honest information. We use short questionnaires, either self-administered or given by the provider, to determine how well our beneficiaries do with the care provided and what we need to do to improve that care.
We work hard to make sure the members of the military and their families have access to support and mental health services. Taking care of our psychological well-being is a personal responsibility because mental health is a critical part of our overall health. Help raise awareness and keep the conversation going – not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but every day of the year.
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Questions for MHS?
Contact Us
STAY CONNECTED:
Military Health System
If you broke your arm, came down with pneumonia, or your child had a severe earache, you wouldn’t think twice about going to the doctor and getting treatment. Maintaining our health and receiving effective treatment for ourselves and our loved ones is a duty and responsibility. But what if the injury isn’t accompanied by physical pain, an x-ray finding, or an abnormal lab test? What is our duty and responsibility when it comes to good mental health?
Too often, service members, retirees, and their family members suffer the pain of stress, sadness, and worry without considering seeking care. And while some pains, like a simple headache, can be easily cared for at home, others require the attention of caregivers who can guide you toward relief and recovery. During Mental Health Awareness Month, leaders and health care providers in the Military Health System are stressing that mental health is as important as physical health. This year’s theme, “Let’s talk about it,” encourages a conversation about mental health to reduce the stigma and encourage seeing care.
Mental health is not a luxury. It affects our quality of life and our ability to accomplish the mission at hand. Our culture stigmatizes mental health conditions and seeking treatment, but we can chip away at this stigma by examining our own beliefs about mental health and challenging ourselves to consider what health is without mental health.
In the MHS, we actively promote available resources, and encourage everyone to get the help they need. The DoD’s commitment to health care is evident through mental health assessments, counseling, family support services, and treatment. The MHS shows its commitment to mental health care through unparalleled support and quality of care, and also by the way we allocate care. We encourage service members to ask for help, train our providers to provide the best care possible, and ensure crucial resources are available.
A critical element of ensuring the mental health of our service members, retirees, and their families is making it easy to find and receive care and support. The MHS provides individual, marriage, and family therapy, as well as intensive outpatient and inpatient care, available both in and outside our military treatment facilities. These avenues are only part of the available support, which also includes chaplain support in all the services, Army and Marine Corps community services, Fleet and Family Support Centers, military family life counselors, crisis lines, hotlines, Military OneSource, and a dozen other support programs that can directly provide assistance or get you to the right place to receive care.
We’ve updated our policies so they’re in line with the needs of our service members, retirees, and their families, including an update to the TRICARE policy to ensure beneficiaries gain better access to mental health care at lower costs. The policy update removed limits on the length of stay for beneficiaries in inpatient mental health treatment and residential treatment care for adolescents and children. It also took away limits on the number of annual visits beneficiaries are allowed for various mental health services, also reducing copayments and cost-shares.
In the MHS, we hold ourselves accountable in the mental health field by keeping track of our progress. When beneficiaries ask how well we provide care, our goal is to communicate thorough and honest information. We use short questionnaires, either self-administered or given by the provider, to determine how well our beneficiaries do with the care provided and what we need to do to improve that care.
We work hard to make sure the members of the military and their families have access to support and mental health services. Taking care of our psychological well-being is a personal responsibility because mental health is a critical part of our overall health. Help raise awareness and keep the conversation going – not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but every day of the year.
Read More ...
Questions for MHS? Contact Us
STAY CONNECTED:
Military Health System
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301, United States
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