WELCOME TO DEPT. OF TEXAS VFW STATE SURGEON’S
COMRADES!
Duringthepastquarter,theState SurgeonProgramhascontinued expandinghealthcareeducation, partnerships,andoutreachthroughout Texas.
Aswecontinueourmissionofpromoting veteranhealthandwellnessacross Texas,eachmonthprovidesan opportunitytoeducateourveterans, families,andcommunitiesonimportant healthconcerns.WeencouragePosts andDistrictstousetheseawareness topicsasopportunitiesforoutreach, education,andengagement. GREETINGS
TEXAS SUMMERS BRING EXTREME HEAT, INCREASED SUN EXPOSURE, AND GREATER RISK FOR HEAT-REL ATED ILLNESSES. VETERANS, ESPECIALLY OLDER ADULTS AND THOSE WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS, MAY BE MORE VULNERABLE DURING PERIODS OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES.
KEY PREVENTION TIPS:
APPLY SUNSCREEN WITH SPF 30 OR HIGHER
WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, SUNGL ASSES, AND HATS
STAY HYDRATED AND AVOID EXCESSIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
DURING PEAK HEAT HOURS
NEVER LEAVE PEOPLE OR PETS UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES
CHECK ON ELDERLY VETERANS, NEIGHBORS, AND THOSE LIVING ALONE
RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE
WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS INCLUDING:
DIZZINESS OR CONFUSION
HEAVY SWEATING OR HOT, DRY SKIN
RAPID HEARTBEAT
WEAKNESS OR FAINTING
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
TAKING SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS CAN HELP KEEP OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY SAFE DURING THE TEXAS SUMMER MONTHS.
HEALTH
AUGUST PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL WELLNESS AS VETERANS AND FAMILIES PREPARE FOR THE TRANSITION INTO FALL.
ENCOURAGE VETERANS TO:
SCHEDULE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS
REVIEW RECOMMENDED VACCINES WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER
STAY CURRENT ON FLU, SHINGLES, PNEUMONIA, AND OTHER RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS
IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS
VACCINES REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY FOR VETERANS WHO MAY HAVE INCREASED HEALTH RISKS DUE TO AGE, DEPLOYMENT HISTORY, OR CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTHCARE. VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW THAT SUPPORT IS AVAIL ABLE.
ENCOURAGE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT:
PTSD AND TRAUMA RECOVERY
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
SUICIDE PREVENTION
SUBSTANCE USE CONCERNS
CAREGIVER STRESS AND BURNOUT
ENCOURAGE FELLOW VETERANS TO:
STAY CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACH OUT TO LOCAL VA MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
ATTEND PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
UTILIZE VET CENTERS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CHECK IN ON ONE ANOTHER
HEALTHY AGING
SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, MAKING IT A CRITICAL TIME TO STRENGTHEN AWARENESS, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORT FOR VETERANS.
THE TEXAS VFW REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENSURING VETERANS KNOW THEY ARE NEVER ALONE AND THAT HELP IS AVAIL ABLE.
WAYS POSTS CAN SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS:
CONDUCT VETERAN WELLNESS CHECKS
SHARE CRISIS RESOURCES
ENCOURAGE OPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
CONNECT VETERANS WITH VA AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES BUILD STRONG PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS
VETERANS IN CRISIS OR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT A FELLOW VETERAN CAN CONTACT: VETERANS CRISIS LINE
DIAL 988, THEN PRESS 1
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SEPTEMBER ALSO RECOGNIZES PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE MALE VETERANS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR HEALTHCARE.
VETERANS SHOULD:
DISCUSS PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
KNOW THEIR FAMILY HISTORY
ATTEND ROUTINE HEALTHCARE APPOINTMENTS
REPORT CHANGES OR CONCERNS EARLY
EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTIVE CARE CAN SAVE LIVES.
CAREGIVER CORNER
MANY VETERANS RELY ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS EVERY DAY. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK ON CAREGIVERS AS WELL. THEY OFTEN
EXPERIENCE BURNOUT WHILE CARING FOR LOVED ONES. RESOURCES ARE AVAIL ABLE THROUGH THE VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, RESPITE SERVICES, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
CONTINUE SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL VA MEDICAL CENTERS THROUGH:
VOLUNTEER SERVICES
VETERAN VISITATION
COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIRS
STAND DOWN EVENTS
HOSPITAL APPRECIATION ACTIVITIES
LOCAL VFW SERVICE PROJECTS
EVERY HOUR VOLUNTEERED STRENGTHENS OUR MISSION.
NATIONAL VFW UPDATES
THE VFW RECENTLY CELEBRATED ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING DAY OF SERVICE, WITH NEARLY 2,700 SERVICE PROJECTS COMPLETED WORLDWIDE BY VFW AND AUXILIARY MEMBERS. THESE PROJECTS DEMONSTRATE THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT OF VETERANS SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES LONG AFTER THEIR MILITARY SERVICE. AS AMERICA COMMEMORATES 250 YEARS OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, THE VFW CONTINUES ADVOCATING FOR VETERANS WHILE HONORING THE SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO DEFENDED OUR NATION.
LOOKING AHEAD
AS WE MOVE INTO THE FALL, LET'S CONTINUE EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS, AND ENSURING EVERY VETERAN KNOWS THE TEXAS VFW IS HERE TO SERVE THEM. TOGETHER, WE CONTINUE PROVING THAT NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
SOUTH TEXAS VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM GROWTH
THE SOUTH TEXAS VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONTINUES EXPANDING SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ONE OF THE NATION'S FASTEST-GROWING VETERAN POPULATIONS. DURING A RECENT VISIT TO SAN ANTONIO, VA LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR A FUTURE VA HOSPITAL TO SUPPORT INCREASING DEMAND FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN THE REGION.
WEST
TEXAS VA MEDICAL CENTER MODERNIZATION
THE GEORGE H. O'BRIEN JR. VA MEDICAL CENTER IN BIG SPRING IS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING A NEW BOILER PLANT, UTILITY UPGRADES, REHABILITATION OF HOSPITAL SPACE, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS TO SUPPORT FUTURE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD MODERNIZATION. THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BENEFIT VETERANS RECEIVING CARE THROUGHOUT WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO.
BEAUMONT VA CLINIC CONTINUES CARE FOLLOWING STORM DAMAGE
AFTER SEVERE STORMS CAUSED THE ROOF TO COLLAPSE AT THE BEAUMONT VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC, STAFF QUICKLY TRANSITIONED SERVICES TO TEMPORARY MOBILE UNITS AND EXPANDED TELEHEALTH OPERATIONS. NO VETERANS OR EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW, LARGER BEAUMONT VA CLINIC CONTINUES, WHICH WILL NEARLY DOUBLE THE FACILITY'S SIZE AND EXPAND SERVICES FOR SOUTHEAST TEXAS VETERANS.
MAJOR REORGANIZATION OF THE VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION
THE VA HAS LAUNCHED THE RESTRUCTURE FOR IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORT (RISE), THE MOST SIGNIFICANT REORGANIZATION OF THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS. THE INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS, REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE LAYERS, STANDARDIZE CARE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND GIVE LOCAL VA MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTORS GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO MEET VETERANS' NEEDS.
TEXAS VFW CONTINUES WORKING ALONGSIDE VA MEDICAL CENTERS, COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS, VETERAN AFFAIRS VOLUNTEER SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO CONNECT VETERANS WITH HEALTHCARE, BENEFITS, CAREGIVER RESOURCES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. TOGETHER, THESE PARTNERSHIPS HELP ENSURE VETERANS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE THROUGHOUT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.
STAY CONNECTED
WE ENCOURAGE EVERY POST AND DISTRICT TO MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOCAL VA MEDICAL CENTER AND COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC. WHETHER THROUGH VOLUNTEERING, SHARING INFORMATION, OR CONNECTING VETERANS TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES, YOUR INVOLVEMENT CONTINUES TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE. TOGETHER, WE CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.
UPCOMING VETERAN HEALTH OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
AS WE MOVE INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, POSTS AND DISTRICTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTHCAREFOCUSED OUTREACH
OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING:
VETERAN RESOURCE FAIRS
VA FACILITY APPRECIATION EVENTS
HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS ACTIVITIES
CAREGIVER SUPPORT OUTREACH
PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENINGS
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EVENTS
FALL IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO COORDINATE WITH LOCAL VA FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
A REMINDER TO CHECK ON OUR VETERANS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS WE CAN DO IS SIMPLY STAY CONNECTED.
REACH OUT TO:
A FELLOW VETERAN WHO MAY BE ISOLATED AN AGING VETERAN NEEDING ASSISTANCE
A CAREGIVER WHO MAY NEED SUPPORT
A NEW VETERAN TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE
SOMEONE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING SILENTLY
A PHONE CALL, VISIT, OR CONVERSATION MAY BE THE CONNECTION THAT CHANGES SOMEONE'S DAY—OR THEIR LIFE.
CONTINUING THE MISSION
THANK YOU TO EVERY POST SURGEON, DISTRICT SURGEON, VOLUNTEER, AND VFW MEMBER WHO CONTINUES SERVING OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
TOGETHER, WE ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHCARE, PROMOTE WELLNESS, STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS, AND ENSURE VETERANS KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE.
