William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

08/15/2026

Thank you to the women Veterans who joined us for our recent R.A.D. self-defense class at Madison VA Hospital!

Chief Kelly Backhaus, a U.S. Army Veteran, and Officer Stacy Niles, a U.S. Army Veteran and current Army National Guard member, led the class. Both are Madison VA police officers who brought real-world experience, trauma-informed training and a commitment to helping women Veterans build practical self-defense skills.

Participants learned how to spot threats early, lower their risk in everyday situations and defend themselves with hands-on techniques made for all fitness levels. R.A.D. is a nationally recognized, empowerment-based self-defense program for women.

Stay tuned for future offerings, but if you'd like us to put you on a waiting list, send us a private message with your email address.

08/13/2026

Info from the mothership....📣

From Aug. 13 - Sept. 11, "big" VA is mailing official “Choose VA” postcards to approximately 3.8 million Veterans who are not enrolled in VA healthcare. If you receive one, don’t throw it away. It’s a legitimate VA communication designed to help Veterans learn about their healthcare eligibility and how to enroll.

Tell your friends and neighbors - help connect them to the care and benefits they've earned.

Link to VA story in comments 👇

08/11/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Employee of the Month Stephanie Nault!🏆

As a registered nurse, educator and fill‑in Bar Code Medication Administration coordinator, she consistently goes above and beyond. After a Veteran was discharged and accidentally left their dentures behind, Stephanie recognized their importance to the Veteran’s comfort and dignity. Rather than wait for mail delivery or ask the family to return, she personally drove to the hospice facility after her Friday shift to deliver them. Her extraordinary commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence shine through in everything she does.

Join us in congratulating our newest Employee of the Month! 🙌

08/10/2026

In case you missed it....it's coming! January 2027 will be here before you know it. 🐄🤠

08/07/2026

🇺🇸 Congratulations to our Purple Heart Hall of Honor Class of '26, who were inducted today. Ceremony video and information about our Hall of Honor are posted in the comments below 👇

💜 Spc. Calvin Gilbertson (U.S. Army, 1963-1966)

While his reinforcement company was moving by foot between loading zones, U.S. Army Spc. Calvin Gilbertson was wounded during an ambush in the Ia Drang Valley of South Vietnam on November 17, 1965. A mortar round detonated just feet behind him, causing multiple wounds and taking the life of his assistant radio transmitter operator. He's a life member of the Oregon/Brooklyn Memorial VFW Post 10272.

💜 Sgt. Lawrence Horkan (U.S. Army, 1968-1970)

In August 1969, while serving as a section chief of a 105mm howitzer near Chu Lai, Vietnam, U.S. Army Sgt. Lawrence Horkan suffered severe facial wounds from an explosion. He went on to become a prominent businessman in the machine tool industry until his health forced him to retire. He had a double lung transplant at Madison VA Hospital in December 2009 and passed away a few months later.

💜 Lance Cpl. Dennis Mensching (U.S. Marine Corps, 1968-1969)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dennis Mensching was wounded in 1968 while serving in Operations Mameluke Thrust and Henderson Hill in the Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. After taking shrapnel to his leg, it took multiple days before being evacuated due to weather. By the time he arrived in the hospital, he’d developed a severe infection and required extended hospitalization. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was also awarded the Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal with valor.

💜 Spc. William Rettenmund (U.S. Army, 1965-1967)

In June 1966, U.S. Army Spc. William Rettenmund was serving as crew chief with the 162nd Assault Helicopter Company near Lai Khe, Vietnam. While preparing for a large-scale helicopter assault, they came under mortar fire when he was wounded in the right leg by shrapnel. In addition to the Purple Heart, he received 23 Air Medals – two with valor, and four unit commendations. He's a 60-year member of the Black Earth American Legion Post 313.

💜 Spc. Richard Shafel (U.S. Army, 1970-1972)

U.S. Army Spc. Richard Shafel served during the Vietnam War while assigned to Troop A, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. In June 1971, his armored personnel carrier struck a land mine in the D**g Ha area for which he received a Purple Heart. A year earlier, he received a Bronze Star for actions during ground operations against hostile forces.

Oregon-Brooklyn VFW Post #10272

08/07/2026

Shout out to all Purple Heart recipients on Purple Heart Day. Stop by today at 11 a.m. in the hospital auditorium as we induct our Class of '26 into our Purple Heart Hall of Honor. We'll be taking a photo afterwards of ALL PH recipients who attend so don't sneak out. Stop on by!💜 🇺🇸

Please join us on Purple Heart Day — Friday, August 7, 2026 — at 11 a.m. in the hospital auditorium for our 2026Purple Heart Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony.

This year's inductees are:

💜 Spc. Calvin Gilbertson (U.S. Army, 1963 to 1966)
💜 Sgt. Lawrence Horkan (U.S. Army, 1968 to 1970)
💜 Lance Cpl. Dennis Mensching (U.S. Marine Corps, 1968 to 1969)
💜 Spc. William Rettenmund (U.S. Army, 1965 to 1967)
💜 Spc. Richard Shafel (U.S. Army, 1970 to 1972)

For more information on the Purple Heart Hall of Honor, visit: www.va.gov/madison-health-care/programs/purple-heart-hall-of-honor/

Purple Heart Riders - WI Chapter | Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA

08/04/2026

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08/03/2026

Have you received a survey from the Veterans Affairs (VA) and did not know if you should complete it and return? The answer to that question is YES!

VA looks for ways to improve your experience and increase overall satisfaction with your healthcare. One way to help is to fill out and return surveys VA sends you.

Survey of Hospital Experiences of Patients (SHEP) is sent to Veterans who had care in the inpatient or outpatient settings. SHEP gathers information about many parts of your care and experience. We use your feedback to find common topics for improvement.

If you have never filled out a survey, please consider doing so. Your voice matters, your experience matters, and we welcome your valuable feedback.

For any questions or concerns please contact the Patient Advocate Office (608)372-3971 extension 66353.

08/03/2026

🐄Meet our newest employee, EHRMA the Cow (pronounced ERM-ah), who will help you get ready for the new federal electronic health records (EHR).

You may have "herd" the news - Madison VA Hospital and Clinics go live with the new system in January 2027. While the impact you'll see is expected to be minimal, there are things you can do to make this transition easier.

Here is what the new system means for you:

✅ Easier transition from military to VA care — your records come with you
✅ More time talking with your provider, less time repeating your history
✅ Fewer repeat tests, imaging and exams
✅ Improved prevention and treatment options
✅ One patient portal no matter which VA you visit
✅ The same high-quality care at every VA

We are COWmitted to making this as easy on you as possible. And, yes, we will "milk" the puns as often as possible. I mean, is there any "udder" way?

EHRMA will pop into your feed with updates, but if you haven't signed up for emails, we suggest doing that here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVHA_153

Want to dig in right now? Visit digital.va.gov/ehr-modernization for more information.