Chicago VA Medical Center

10/21/2021

Jesse Brown VA Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Town Hall

Please join us for a special Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Town Hall.

10/20/2021

Memorial Service for Raymond Williams

10/20/2021

10/19/2021

October is Dental Hygiene Month. The foods you eat can impact the health of your teeth and gums. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin C optimize oral health. Speak to your VA dietitian on how a nutrient rich diet supports mouth care and overall health! #VANutrition

https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/healthy-nutrition-for-healthy-teeth

October is Dental Hygiene Month. The foods you eat can impact the health of your teeth and gums. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin C optimize oral health. Speak to your VA dietitian on how a nutrient rich diet supports mouth care and overall health! #VANutrition

https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/healthy-nutrition-for-healthy-teeth

10/18/2021

Gen. Colin Powell remembers Desert Storm

https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs/videos/589022702417924

10/15/2021

10/15/2021

Here is Allyson Vaulx , the VP Development and Communications with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, talk about food insecurity and resources available for Veterans.

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is scheduled to give about 50lbs of groceries, fresh produce, protein and more in a drive-through giveaway to Veterans.

Nov 8 at the Old Fairgrounds Park, 704 McCord Rd. (North Lot), Valparaiso from 2-4 pm.

Nov. 9 at the Adam Benjamin Jr. VA Outpatient Clinic, 9301 Madison St. Crown Point from 2-4 pm.

Please do not line up until 1:30 pm.

Text "market" to 219-500-6464 for updates.

Would you believe that veterans and active-duty service members struggle to feed their families? In iHeartRadio episode 186, Allyson Vaulx of Food Bank of Northwest Indiana speaks to us on the food insecurity that faces our military families as well as our country as a whole. Tune in and listen https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-americas-heroes-group-73778173/episode/ep-186-securing-financial-resources-87900330/.

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is hosting two Veteran's Mobile Market Distributions on November 8th and 9th. If you need assistance or wish to volunteer your services, contact them at foodbanknwi.org or 219.980.1777.

Watch and listen to America’s Heroes Group Roundtable every Saturday from 4-6 pm and like and share our page. Follow us on Twitter @AmerHeroesGrp and Instagram @AmericasHeroesGroup

#AmericasHeroesGroupRoundtable #iHeartRadio #FoodBankNWI

10/14/2021

Healthy Teaching Kitchen live

10/13/2021

Timeline Photos

10/13/2021

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose is now available!
**Please read below for more information to see if you qualify**

Vaccine Locations:
• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Vaccine Clinic – 820 S. Damen, Chicago, IL 60612
• Adam Benjamin, Jr. VA Outpatient Clinic - 9301 Madison Street, Crown Point,
IN 46307

Schedule an Appointment by:
• Calling the COVID Vaccine Hotline M-F 8:00am – 3:30pm 312-569-5801
• Scheduling an Appointment During your Next VA Visit
• Contacting your Primary Care Team 888-569-5282

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE CARD WITH YOU DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR BOOSTER DOSE**

Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose? Did you receive your COVID-19 vaccine outside the VA? Alert your VA Primary Care Team at 888-569-5282

• Veterans who SHOULD get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose:

o Veterans 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

o Veterans 50 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

• Veterans who MAY decide to get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose, based on their individual benefits and risks, including:

o Veterans 18 to 49 years old with underlying medical conditions who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

o Veterans 18 to 64 years old who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional setting who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

Underlying medical conditions per CDC include (People with Certain Medical Conditions | CDC):
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD, asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
• Substance use disorders

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE CARD WITH YOU DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR BOOSTER DOSE**

**There is no current information on Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine boosters at this time. We will keep you updated**

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose is now available!
**Please read below for more information to see if you qualify**

Vaccine Locations:
• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Vaccine Clinic – 820 S. Damen, Chicago, IL 60612
• Adam Benjamin, Jr. VA Outpatient Clinic - 9301 Madison Street, Crown Point,
IN 46307

Schedule an Appointment by:
• Calling the COVID Vaccine Hotline M-F 8:00am – 3:30pm 312-569-5801
• Scheduling an Appointment During your Next VA Visit
• Contacting your Primary Care Team 888-569-5282

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE CARD WITH YOU DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR BOOSTER DOSE**

Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose? Did you receive your COVID-19 vaccine outside the VA? Alert your VA Primary Care Team at 888-569-5282

• Veterans who SHOULD get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose:

o Veterans 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

o Veterans 50 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

• Veterans who MAY decide to get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose, based on their individual benefits and risks, including:

o Veterans 18 to 49 years old with underlying medical conditions who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

o Veterans 18 to 64 years old who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional setting who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary vaccine series at least six months ago

Underlying medical conditions per CDC include (People with Certain Medical Conditions | CDC):
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD, asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
• Substance use disorders

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE CARD WITH YOU DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR BOOSTER DOSE**

**There is no current information on Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine boosters at this time. We will keep you updated**

10/05/2021

Saturday September 11, 2021

Check out our very own Dr. Eric Proescher - PsyD, MPH Jesse Brown VA Mental Health-SERV Psychologist Program Manager for the Veteran's Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) and Veteran Ryan Stierwalt - US Marine Veteran Officer deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 2005 - 2014 talk about the VA Healthcare and Su***de Prevention on the America's Heroes Group radio show on Sept. 11, 2021.

09/30/2021

Jesse Brown Tele-Town Hall

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center is holding it's quarterly tele-town hall now. Please join us and have a one-on-one conversation with us.

09/28/2021

09/27/2021

Tele-Town Hall

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center hosts tele-town hall for all four of it's community-based outpatient clinics.

09/27/2021

VA stands ready to offer COVID-19 booster vaccines

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has started administering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters under Emergency Use Authorization.

This decision follows the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.

• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.

• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risk.

• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

“These booster doses are an important step forward in the fight against COVID-19,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “With the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech booster for eligible individuals, VA can provide Veterans an opportunity to maximize their protection, continuing our work to keep people safe and save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The safety and care of Veterans is VA’s top priority, as well as ensuring the health and welfare of its workforce. VAs doors are open for walk-ins today during hours when vaccine clinics are operational, with full opening on Monday where Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccines are available. Vaccines will be offered to Veterans receiving care at VA and employees, prioritizing those persons who are 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and people 50-64 years with underlying conditions. As supply and capacity permits, VA will offer booster doses to all other Veterans, spouses, caregivers and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act (SLA), which was signed into law in March 2021. The law expanded VA’s authority to offer vaccine to include Veterans not traditionally eligible for VHA care, and others including spouses and caregivers of Veterans.

Veterans who receive care in VA and are due for booster shots will be contacted and advised of the recommended booster shots, which may be offered by appointment or on a walk-in basis.

Veterans who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside of VA, and persons who received a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in VA for whom we don’t have records of their high-risk condition, will need to contact their local VA facility for information about how they can receive their booster shot.

CDC advises that people can get both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time. Veterans receiving care at VA who wish to get a booster shot can get both shots together during the same visit.

Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorized as a booster shot. FDA and CDC continue to review data to determine whether and when a booster might be recommended for recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine(s). VA will plan to offer boosters of these vaccines if authorized and recommended.

VA is also continuing to reach out to Veterans who have not yet been vaccinated. Even without a booster, COVID-19 vaccination offers excellent protection and makes it 10 times less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. Monitoring Incidence of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, by Vaccination Status — 13 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4–July 17, 2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov).

Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team. Visit VA’s Questions webpage for questions and answers regarding COVID-19 vaccine.

09/27/2021

We hope you can join us for a tele-town hall today!!

09/23/2021

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

09/22/2021

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

09/21/2021

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

09/20/2021

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

Virtual Veteran Karaoke/Sing-a-long

09/20/2021

Exciting employment opportunities!!

The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center is hiring registered nurses & respiratory therapists (see detailed information for each position below)

Interested candidates should send a cover letter indicating position of interest and a resume which includes your email address and cell phone number to Lenne Robles, Nurse Recruiter at [email protected]. If you have any questions, please call (312)569-8176.

Available Positions
ICU: fast-paced critical care environment. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: caring for patients with multiple complex surgical and medical conditions, mechanical ventilation, intra-aortic balloon pump, continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD), etc.
Medical-Oncology Unit: caring for patients with various medical problems including patients requiring chemotherapy. Oncology Certification preferred.

Hemodialysis Unit: responsible for maintaining a primary patient load of patients for hemodialysis. Other responsibilities include: monitoring and assessment of patients during dialysis; providing hemodialysis to a group of patients; administration of medications during hemodialysis procedures; oversight to dialysis technicians; functioning as charge nurse; provides coverage in both the inpatient and outpatient clinical areas.

GU/Same Day Surgery: functions as an integral member of the Ambulatory Care team with reporting structure to the Operating Room Section. Responsibilities include: initial and ongoing physical and psychosocial assessment; performing scrub and circulating operating room duties for minor urological procedures; synthesis of data from various assessments, monitoring devices, clinical alarms, laboratory reports and imaging reports; problem identification; care planning; monitoring and evaluation of patient progress; discharge planning; patient advocacy; collaboration with other providers, etc.

Operating Room: utilizes the nursing process to coordinate, facilitate and provide direct patient care to patients undergoing surgical procedures in the Operating Room (OR). Responsibilities include but are not limited to: performing scrub and circulating OR duties for general surgery, plastics, ENT, urology, peripheral vascular, GYN, orthopedic, ophthalmology, thoracic, robotics, and podiatry; educating patients and family members; provides assistance as needed in all areas of the Surgical Suite, including the pre-operative preparation of patients for surgery and the post-operative recovery of patients after surgery; provides after hour on-call support for emergency surgical cases.

Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program & Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program: Responsibilities include but are not limited to: supervision of up to 20 veterans; admission and orientation of new patients; assessment/monitoring and evaluation of patients mental and physical health; patient education and documentation of pertinent information, etc.

Registered Respiratory Therapists: This position is organizationally aligned to the Respiratory Care Department/ Patient Care Services, at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center - a level 1b Complexity VHA Facility. Able to work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatients and/or outpatient settings. Knowledgeable to use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. Able to consult with physicians and other health care professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. Must have valid State License and RRT certification.

The VA offers exceptional benefits including:
• 10 paid holidays
• Receive double time on holidays worked
• Receive 26 vacation days & 13 sick days annually
• Receive shift differential
• Numerous healthcare coverage plans
• Federal Retirement and TSP (similar to 401k)
• Combination of 12-hour and 8-hour shifts available
• All Shifts available
• Certain RN positions (to include the Operating Room and Hemodialysis Unit) are eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDPR), a student loan reimbursement program. If selected for this position, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office.

The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center consists of a 200+ bed facility and four community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Jesse Brown VAMC provides care to approximately 62,000 enrolled veterans who reside in the City of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, and in four counties in northwestern Indiana.