Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX (2022)

11/26/2021

Today is Native American Heritage Day. During WWII, Native Americans had the highest voluntary enlistment rate of any group — of 350,000 Native Americans in the U.S. at the time, 45,000 enlisted. In some tribes, 70 percent of the men signed up. We honor Native American Veterans who served, and continue to serve in our nation’s armed forces. To read more about the many remarkable contributions of Native Americans in the military, visit: https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/category/native-american-veterans/ #VHA75

11/25/2021

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge and give thanks to all who have served and continue to serve our nation. Happy Thanksgiving to all our Veterans and their families!

11/24/2021

VA wants to help you live well with diabetes. Read about managing your blood sugars, making healthy food choices, adding activity into your life, and more. The quizzes will test what you know. Take a look at VA’s new online workbook today.
https://veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/DiabetesWorkbook/

11/23/2021

Meet John Mustachia, Navy Veteran and a Registered Nurse at the Houston VA. Hear why he loves taking care of Veterans.

11/23/2021

Can I have traditional Thanksgiving foods to eat when managing diabetes? YES! Ask your VA dietitian for help in planning and enjoying these festive foods! https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/81949/fresh-focus-13-taste-holidays-meal-planning-diabetes/

11/23/2021

Veterans had a special Thanksgiving visit today! A group of volunteers from the Houston Texans visited Houston VA this afternoon. The group, which included Texans players, coaches, and execs, set up outside our main medical center entrance to visit with Veterans and provide meals and giveaways. We brought some of our inpatients out to greet the Texans.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Texans-execs-coaches-players-hand-out-200-meals-16642895.php

https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/coach-david-culley-houston-military-veterans-visit

11/22/2021

Staff and patients in our Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center are thrilled with a newly remodeled SCI Outpatient Clinic, located on the first floor of the medical center near the blue elevators. The new clinic location opened a few weeks ago and patients like Air Force Veteran Derrick Perkins (pictured center in the first photo with SCI Director Dr. Sally Holmes and SCI Nurse Jan Oliver-Aaron), are thrilled with the new space.

The newly remodeled clinic is larger than the former outpatient clinic and every room is equipped for well-woman exams. We are proud to provide world class care to our Veterans in this new clinic location.

11/22/2021

Veterans in our Community Living Center had a great time at their annual Thanksgiving holiday luncheon today! Some family members were able to join their Veteran for lunch and visit at this outdoor event.

Army Veteran and CLC patient Harvey Bingham said, “I am so happy to be outside in today’s beautiful weather. I came early to enjoy it.”

We are thankful for our Veteran patients!

11/19/2021

Preventing diabetes and prediabetes are the focus during National Diabetes Month. Taking small steps such as getting up and moving more, eating a diet rich in vegetables & fruits, and seeking support can have a huge impact on your health. Your VA Registered Dietitian can help you take charge of your health! https://www.nutrition.va.gov/docs/UpdatedPatientEd/ManagingPrediabetes-June2020.pdf

11/18/2021

Quit VET

Are you ready to quit smoking but unsure of where to start? VA has more treatment options to help Veterans quit smoking than ever before. Call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) to work with a counselor and get help during any phase of your quit journey. https://bit.ly/30Asmty #GreatAmericanSmokeout

11/17/2021

Veterans eligible for travel deals, airfare discounts - VAntage Point

Veterans are now eligible to shop for a wide selection of travel deals and discounted rates through American Forces Travel.

11/16/2021

Meet Dr. Lavannya Pandit, Pulmonary ICU Specialist at the Houston VA, and hear why she takes care of Veterans.

11/15/2021

Dr. Christy Chai, Houston VA Chief of General Surgery, has received a 2021 Break the Glass Ceiling Award from the Association of Women Surgeons. The AWS empowers women surgeons in practice to build their leadership skills. Congratulations Dr. Chai!
www.bcm.edu/news/dr-chai-receives-2021-aws-break-the-glass-ceiling-award

11/15/2021

The Houston VA Medical Center has been named a 2021 NDNQI Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality® winner by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare consumer and workforce engagement. Houston’s Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is one of six healthcare organizations to win the accolade, which recognizes the hospital as a top performing organization across 17 quality measures.

https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/news-releases/houston-va-receives-national-award-for-outstanding-nursing-quality/

11/15/2021

Quit VET

Are you ready to quit smoking but unsure of where to start? VA has more treatment options to help Veterans quit smoking than ever before. Call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) to work with a counselor and get help during any phase of your quit journey. https://bit.ly/3ce8DCH

11/12/2021

This week, we are celebrating Nurse Practitioners (NP) for the exceptional work they do every day in providing high-quality health care to our Veteran patients. NPs are highly skilled clinicians with advanced education and clinical training. VA Houston has over 90 NPs in different specialties. Join us in saying thanks to our Nurse Practitioners!

11/12/2021

Our Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic is having a Job Fair on Saturday, December 4, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for LVNs and Nursing Assistants. For more information, please contact Kim Landry at 713-791-1414, ext. 23185.

11/11/2021

Thanks to volunteers from AmRisc for the work they did at our Fisher House I! The crew of six pulled up shrubs, mulched, and laid sod. The work they did looks amazing and they’ll return soon to plant some shrubs and landscape at our two other Fisher Houses.

11/11/2021

Today, we pay tribute to more than 19 million of our citizens who at one time wore the uniform of the United States military to serve and protect our way of life and principles for which we stand. Happy #VeteransDay.

(Art courtesy Matt Tavares)

11/10/2021

Meet Michael Abraham, our Houston VA Domiciliary Program Manager. He is excited to provide these needed services to our Veterans.

11/10/2021

Veterans Day came a day early for Veterans visiting the Houston VA today. They received donuts, and 400 drawstring bags filled with caps, t-shirts, and toiletry kits from the Home of the Brave organization (includes Bristol Myers Squibb and Soldiers’ Angels). They also handed out Veterans Day cards made by local school age children.

The CKP group handed out McDonalds sandwiches to Veterans for breakfast and lunch.

A group of our dedicated OR nurses performed patriotic music in the lobby for Veterans as they came in for their appointments.

Thanks to all of these wonderful groups for thinking of our Veterans!

11/10/2021

Happy 246th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! Thank you to all those who have served!

11/09/2021

Thanks to the Houston Federation of Garden Clubs for donating a new Chinese Fringetree for our sensory garden near our Community Living Center entrance. In the spring, it will bloom with beautiful white, fragrant flowers. Jeremiah Jackson, Acting Associate Director and Barbra Bell, Voluntary Service Officer, accepted the donation.

11/09/2021

Thanks to The BamFam Foundation, T-Mobile, and Houston Texans player Javier Edwards for visiting and providing meals for Veterans and staff at our Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic!

11/08/2021

This Veterans Day, Musicians on Call is delivering hope and appreciation to Veterans and caregivers through the healing power of music. The Concert for Veterans features artists such as Darius Rucker, Wynonna, Peter Frampton, Sara Evans, and many more playing specifically for Veteran patients throughout the country. Scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/MOCVeterans21 (password veteran). The concert premieres November 8 at 3:00 p.m. and will be live through December 5 at 6:00 p.m.

11/08/2021

National Radiologic Technology Week® is celebrated annually to recognize the vital work of Radiologic Technologists across the nation. The celebration takes place during the week of November 8 to commemorate the discovery of the x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on this day in 1895. The celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. We are fortunate to have some of the finest imaging professionals supporting our Veteran patients.

Learn more about radiology services at VA Houston. https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/programs/diagnostic-and-therapeutic-care-line/

11/06/2021

Don't forget to "fall back" tonight! Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday at 2:00 a.m. Enjoy the extra hour!

11/03/2021

VA can help you achieve your health goals! Text VET (or VETesp for support in Spanish) to 47848 to sign up for daily messages, encouragement, and tips to help you quit. Learn more about available VA resources to help you quit smoking and live better. https://bit.ly/3k1BUF2

11/03/2021

VA proudly recognizes National Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) Week, November 1-5. More than half of all Veterans treated within VHA received prosthetics devices, items, or services last year. Thank you to our PSAS staff who remain dedicated to helping Veterans achieve their highest level of function and independence.

Find out more about Prosthetic services for Veterans at https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/programs/prosthetic-sensory-aids-service/.

11/02/2021

Meet Michael Fischer, Air Force Veteran and Houston VA Social Worker. Hear why he enjoys working with Veterans.

Caregivers have been overlooked by VA over the years, but those days are over, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Oct. 29...

11/01/2021

Caregivers have been overlooked, those days are over, VA secretary says - VAntage Point

Caregivers have been overlooked by VA over the years, but those days are over, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Oct. 29.
Speaking at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Sixth Annual National Convening, McDonough said one of VA’s most important jobs is to support caregivers.

Find out more about caregiver support services at VA Houston: https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/health-services/caregiver-support/

Caregivers have been overlooked by VA over the years, but those days are over, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Oct. 29.

10/31/2021

Eating more fruits and vegetables, moving your body daily, and maintaining a healthy weight are key components of cancer prevention. To learn more about nutrient-dense foods or lifestyle interventions that reduce your risk, speak to your VA dietitian today!

10/30/2021

VA provides patient centered care to Veterans through its Whole Health approach. “Discover What Matters,” a new video, depicts the stories of Veterans who take control of their care and #LiveWholeHealth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Rq1UcOPrT70

10/30/2021

VA Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants are health care professionals helping individuals maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and functioning, thereby enabling optimal performance and enhancing health, well-being, and quality of life. Physical Therapists are in many different settings within the VA. VA proudly recognizes 2,600 Physical Therapists and 500 physical Therapist Assistants working throughout the VA system. Many thanks to our awesome Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants! #NationalPhysicalTherapyMonth

Find out about physical medicine and rehabilitation services at the Houston VA: https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/programs/physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation/