OVAHCS

Today, we come together to honor our Vietnam Veterans! The Orlando VA Healthcare System invites you to our Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Orlando VA Medical Center Amphitheatre. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can still be part of this special tribute. We’ll be streaming the ceremony live on YouTube so you can watch from anywhere. 🎥 Watch live here: youtube.com/live/5eD6KAi6K… Join us in honoring the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans—whether in person or online.

Discover the Power of Nutrition! The Orlando VA Healthcare System celebrated National Nutrition Month with an “Ask the Registered Dietitian (RD)” Nutrition Fair, featuring cooking demos, expert tips, and resources to support healthier living. Our Registered Dietitians connected with Veterans and staff, highlighting how nutrition supports whole health and empowers better choices every day.

HAPPENING TOMORROW ! The Orlando VA Health Care System (OVAHCS) will host a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Orlando VA Medical Center Amphitheatre. The event is open to the public and will honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War Veterans. The ceremony will bring together Veterans, community leaders, and supporters to recognize those who served during the Vietnam War and to thank them for their dedication to the nation. “We are proud to honor the courage and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans,” said Timothy J. Cooke, director and CEO of the Orlando VA Healthcare System. “This ceremony is an opportunity for our community to come together, reflect on their service, and ensure that the men and women who served during the Vietnam War receive the recognition and gratitude they deserve.” The event is held in collaboration with the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council, the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, and the Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation. During the ceremony, Jerry L. Demings, mayor of Orange County, Florida, will present a proclamation honoring Vietnam Veterans. The keynote address will be delivered by Col. DeLoyd “De” Voorhees. A U.S. Army retiree and president of the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Voorhees has been a strong advocate for honoring and preserving the legacy of Veterans throughout Central Florida and remains an important voice within the local Veteran community. Parking will be available in the east and west parking garages and in the south parking lot near the emergency room. Attendees are asked to refrain from parking in the Community Living Center and Domiciliary parking lots. Golf cart shuttles will be available to assist guests to and from the ground floor of the parking garages. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here: ow.ly/LU6v50Yz8sq Directions to the event: ow.ly/w0gG50Yz8so

HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY: Clothing Giveaway for Veterans! Join us at the Daytona Beach VA Clinic for a special Dinontas Clothing Giveaway, supporting our Veterans with free clothing items. From everyday essentials to seasonal wear, this is a great opportunity for Veterans to pick up items at no cost. All Veterans are welcome, come out, connect, and take advantage of this great resource! A big thank you to Dinontas for giving back to those who served. #Veterans #DaytonaBeachVA #CommunitySupport #ServingThoseWhoServed

This Friday, we are hosting a special ceremony to honor those who served! The Orlando VA Healthcare System invites you to learn more about our Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony taking place Friday at 10 a.m. at the Orlando VA Medical Center amphitheatre. Read the full press release and find event details here: va.gov/orlando-health… We hope you’ll join us as we come together to honor our Vietnam Veterans.

The Orlando VA Hospice and Palliative Team has been named a 2026 Circle of Life Award winner by the American Hospital Association recognizing the organization’s exceptional commitment to compassionate, Veteran-centered care of those facing serious illness. The award honors innovative programs that demonstrate excellence in caring for patients with serious illness and supporting their families. The Orlando VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Hospice and Palliative Medicine Team was recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, integration of palliative care across the continuum of care, and dedication to ensuring Veterans receive compassionate support throughout their healthcare journey. Since its inception in 2009 with just one staff member, the Orlando VA’s Hospice and Palliative Medicine program has grown into a robust interdisciplinary team including physicians, ARPNs, nurses, social workers, and chaplains who work together to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Veterans and their loved ones. They offer both disease-directed treatment as well as symptom management. Read more : va.gov/orlando-health…

Make time to get screened for colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers among Veterans, so talk with your VA care provider about the screening options that are right for you. youtube.com/watch?v=05X-VN…

VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, Ph.D., participated in more than 20 broadcast interviews during a nationwide satellite media tour to share updates on the deployment of the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR). Dr. Lawrence shared the following messages: •VA is on track to implement the Federal EHR at four Michigan sites in April, with a total of 13 sites going live in 2026. •The Federal EHR will deliver a single health record providing a comprehensive view of Veteran’s health history from military care to VA care •This modernization will allow providers more time to listen and care for our Veterans with standardized workflows and technology. The satellite media tour ensures Veterans, caregivers, and communities understand how the Federal EHR will transform care as deployments begin in 2026 and beyond. Read more at Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence Highlights the Federal EHR in over 20 Broadcasted Interviews, and look for Dr. Lawrence’s interviews on his LinkedIn! linkedin.com/posts/drpaulla…

Army Veterans Luther Stinson and Gregory Baugh faced the same diagnosis, prostate cancer, but at different moments in their journeys. Thanks to advanced care at the Orlando VA Healthcare System, both found a treatment option that required just five targeted radiation sessions. From early detection to ringing the bell at the end of treatment, their stories highlight how precision medicine and a dedicated care team are helping Veterans move forward with confidence. Read how this innovative treatment is changing lives for Veterans: va.gov/orlando-health…

Eating wisely is important at every stage of life. Learn how to build healthy eating habits to boost your health now and for years to come.

Today, Veterans received free, trusted tax assistance during the recent AARP Tax-Aide event at the Orlando VA Medical Center. We are grateful to our dedicated AARP volunteers who helped ensure Veterans could file accurately, maximize eligible credits, and feel confident heading into tax season. Thank you to the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and everyone who participated and helped make this event a success in support of those who served. The Orlando VA Medical Center will be hosting one more AARP Tax-Aide event on April 6, which already reached registration capacity. If you are a Veteran interested in AARP Tax-Aide services, you can find a site near you at aarp.org/money/taxes/aa… or call 1-888-227-7669 for more information.

The phone lines at the Lake Baldwin VA Outpatient Clinic are down intermittently. We are currently working to resolve this issue. If you are having issues reaching the clinic, please call the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center toll-free at 1-877-741-3400 or the Orlando VAHCS main phone number at: 407-631-1000. The VISN 8 CCC includes pharmacy, connection with a scheduler, nurse triage, and virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone or VA Video Connect. Employees may also reach out to Lake Baldwin staff members via Teams for assistance. Note: The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center should not be used for emergency situations. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please dial 10911 from an inside phone line at the clinic or dial 911 from an outside or personal line. You may also choose to visit your closest emergency room. Thank you.

Did you know there’s a dialysis treatment that can be done at home while you sleep? The Orlando VA Healthcare System recently treated its first inpatient peritoneal dialysis Veteran, expanding kidney care options and preventing Veterans from needing to transfer to outside hospitals. Just in time for World Kidney Day, learn how this innovative treatment is improving quality of life for Veterans like Marine Corps Veteran Mario Melendez. Read the story to learn more about this milestone and kidney health tips. ow.ly/C3yo50YpECV

Veterans receiving care at the Orlando VA Medical Center now have access to robotic bronchoscopy, an advanced procedure that helps clinicians reach and biopsy hard-to-access lung nodules with greater precision. “Robotic bronchoscopy is the new addition to our regular bronchoscopies,” said Dr. Nazia Sultana, Section Chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care. “Bronchoscopy is a procedure where we go down with a camera into the windpipe, go to the area of concern, and attempt to biopsy from there.” Using the ION robotic bronchoscopy platform, Orlando VA’s highly trained pulmonary team plans the procedure using CT imaging and software that creates a navigation map through the airways. “It’s basically a GPS system,” Sultana said. “We have an abnormal CT that shows a lung nodule. We make a CD of that, put it into the software, and the software maps out the path. It literally tells us which windpipes to go to reach this location.” Read full article here: ow.ly/Yqyi50YogGb

Earlier this month, Cupid made a special visit to the 1A Dialysis Unit on Valentine’s Day, bringing smiles to our Veterans. Organized by our dedicated dialysis team, the visit included flowers and sweet treats for those receiving care. Many of our dialysis Veterans undergo treatment three times a week for several hours at a time and are often homebound. This thoughtful gesture provided a welcome moment of joy and connection that was truly appreciated by all.

Recently we proudly celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Tavares VA Clinic! For a decade, this clinic has provided high-quality, compassionate care to the Veterans of Lake County and surrounding communities. What started as a commitment to expand access has grown into a trusted medical home for thousands of Veterans. Over the past 10 years, our dedicated team of providers and staff have delivered exceptional primary care, specialty services, and always putting Veterans first. Thank you to the employees, community partners, and, most importantly, the Veterans who make our mission possible every day. Here’s to continuing to serve those who served for many more years to come. #VA #Veterans #ServingThoseWhoServed #OrlandoVA #TavaresVA