William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

10/02/2026

📸 THEN & NOW 📸

This week in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was established and is one of many local organizations that continue to support Veterans...even dating back to the days of donating vacuums (see photo)!

We remain grateful to the posts that serve our catchment area in Wisconsin and Illinois. 🇺🇸🫡

(In celebration of our 75th Anniversary, we'll be posting a weekly "Then & Now" honoring our history and highlighting the staff and resources we have today. If you know names of folks in photos, feel free to tell us and we'll update our archives. Have something to share related to the topic? Feel free to post.)

10/01/2026

Calling all interior designers....join our awesome team and help us serve the best Veterans anywhere!

This position is located within the Environmental Services Division of the William S. Middleton, VA Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin. The primary purpose of the position is responsible for providing administrative and management related support by analyzing, evaluating, advising on, and /or coordi...

09/30/2026

Last call! We have a few more spots open for this self-defense class on Saturday if you're a woman Veteran. 👊🏻 Act now!

09/29/2026

Big changes are coming to Madison VA Hospital and Clinics! 🐄

In January 2027, we will switch to a new system called the Federal Electronic Health Record.

A few simple steps now can make the transition smooo-ther for you and your care team.

Here is how you can prepare:

📅 Schedule appointments early. Fewer slots may be open right before and after our January launch. Rest assured, we'll get you the care you need if it's time sensitive, but please be patient during the transition.

💊 Refill and renew prescriptions early to avoid pharmacy delays.

💻 Update your contact info. Sign in to your VA profile at VA.gov using your Login.gov or ID.me account to check your name, email, phone number and address. If your legal name has changed and you receive pay from the Department of Defense, confirm it's updated in DEERS.

📬 Use secure messaging through VA.gov for non-urgent, non-emergency questions for your care team.

You have earned the best care possible, and this new medical record will help VA deliver it. If you have questions along the way, I am here to help!

Moo-ving forward together,
EHRMA

09/28/2026

09/28/2026

There is nothing more important to VA than preventing Veteran su***de — it’s our top clinical priority.

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

Subscribe for Ad Council’s latest PSAs: http://bit.ly/SubscribeAdCo...

09/25/2026

📸THEN & NOW 📸

In celebration of our 75th Anniversary, we'll be posting a weekly "Then & Now" honoring our history and highlighting the staff and resources we have today.

Today, we pay homage to our senior leaders. According to our records, the first hospital leader was Dr. Morgan Thomas, who was hired in 1949, two years prior to opening our doors. Today, our Executive Director Christine Kleckner leads our team of five. They were joined last week by some past senior leaders during our 75th Anniversary Ceremony.

If you know names of folks in photos, feel free to tell us and we'll update our archives. Have something to share related to the topic? Feel free to share.

09/24/2026

Are you a woman Veteran looking to build confidence and learn self-defense skills? VA Police will host a free full-day training just for you!

📅 Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
🕗 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 Madison Vet Center
1291 North Sherman Avenue
Madison, WI

You'll learn how to spot threats before they happen, reduce your risk in everyday situations and defend yourself using hands-on techniques designed for all fitness levels. No experience needed and lunch is provided. The class is taught by two women Veteran Madison VA police officers. Space is very limited so RSVP today.

📞 RSVP to 608-256-1901, ext. 18422 or email [email protected]

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
R.A.D. is a nationally recognized, empowerment based self-defense program for women.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN
Risk Awareness, risk reduction and avoidance strategies • Practical physical defense skills through hands-on training • Techniques suitable for all fitness levels •

INSTRUCTORS
Chief Kelly Backhaus, female U.S. Army Veteran, and Officer Stacy Niles, female U.S. Army Veteran and current member of the Army National Guard, bring real-world experience, trauma-informed training and a commitment to empowering Women Veterans with practical, effective self-defense skills.

WHAT TO BRING
• Comfortable athletic clothing
• Water bottle
• Positive attitude and readiness to learn
• Lunch will be provided

09/24/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Employee of the Month David Rhoads!🏆

During a heat advisory, a discharged Veteran's car wouldn't start. When jumper cables failed, David left the unit and spent over an hour in extreme heat until the car ran. The impact of his actions ensured a Veteran’s ability to return home and it freed an inpatient bed amid tight capacity, sparing another Veteran a costly community placement.

David's actions are a living demonstration of our ICARE values:

Integrity - he acted without being asked.
Commitment - he stayed until done.
Advocacy - he ensured the Veteran got home with dignity.
Respect - he gave full effort off-tour.
Excellence - he solved what others couldn't, delivering an outcome that benefited the Veteran, the unit and the organization.

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