VA Bedford Healthcare System 🩺

VA is here to help, no matter how big or small the problem. We have resources to address the unique stressors and experiences that Veterans may face—and we’re just a click, call, text, or chat away: Mentalhealth.va.gov/get-help/index…

For 250 years Veterans have fought and defended our nation and answered the call to protect our freedom. We honor their courage, sacrifice and devotion every day and @deptvetaffairs looks forward to continuing to serve our heroes for the next 250 years. God bless America. @WhiteHouse , @Freedom250

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of Veterans entering their final stages of life? Consider volunteering for the No Veteran Dies Alone Program. Our next training session is April 21 and 22 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. All Training and volunteer opportunities occur on the VA Bedford campus located at 200 Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730. For more information contact VHABEDCDCE@va.gov | 781-687-3076 OR Jessica.Podkulski@va.gov | 781-226-8500 Any updates for training will be posted on the Facebook Event Page: facebook.com/share/1CKkHaLr… #NoVeteranDiesAlone #VeteranAndFamilySupport

VA Health Chat makes it easy for Veterans to stay connected to care from anywhere. You can get support for non-life-threatening health concerns, refill VA prescriptions, and manage VA appointments! Want to learn more? Download the app today: mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-…

There’s still time to join our blood drive on Tuesday, March 31st, to help support the blood supply across the nation. Roll up your sleeve and sign up to make a difference for Veterans and your community. To make an appointment please visit: redcrossblood.org/give.html/driv… or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Can't make this one?! Check out blood drives in the surrounding area or join us when @RedCrossMA returns on June 2nd. #RollUpYourSleeveVA #DonateBlood #SaveALife

Today, we recognize National Medal of Honor Day and honor the extraordinary courage of those who have received our nation’s highest award for valor. Since its establishment in 1861, more than 3,500 service members have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Each recipient represents a legacy of sacrifice, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to others. We honor these heroes and remain grateful for the example they set for all who serve.

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death in people younger than 50. While difficult to treat when caught late, staying on top of your screening can make all the difference in the world. If you are younger than 45, or think you might have some other risk factors, talk to your provider to see if screening is right for you. news.va.gov/138947/colorec…

Something new is coming for Women Veterans at VA Bedford—more privacy, more services, more support. Stay tuned!

Infertility Support -- monthly virtual drop-in group for women Veterans who receive care within VISN 1 (New England). The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 5-6 pm. To register, contact Jessica Hickey at 781-824-0104.

VA is speeding up community care scheduling for eligible Veterans. The new External Provider Scheduling is live at every VA facility, allowing staff to see providers’ calendars and book appointments faster. VA can use that information to book appointments that fit a Veterans’ schedule. The tool can boost scheduling from just a handful of appointments a day to as many as 25. 27,000 providers in 78 specialties are already part of the program, with more expected to join this year. To learn more, visit news.va.gov and search: “press room.” #Veterans #VA #VABenefits #Healthcare

🌟 Yesterday we celebrate Certified Nurses Day! 🌟 We celebrated the dedication and expertise of our nurses and nursing assistants who continually strive for excellence through national board certification. Their unwavering commitment inspires us all, and we are deeply grateful for the outstanding patient care they deliver each day. This meaningful occasion also honored Dr. Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, whose visionary work in nurse credentialing has shaped the profession around the world. At VA Bedford, we came together to recognize our certified staff with heartfelt remarks, valuable resources for specialty certification, and tokens of appreciation. The festivities were filled with joy, pride, and gratitude! Thank you to all our certified nurses and nursing assistants for your incredible dedication! 💙 #CertifiedNursesDay #NursesWeek #NursingExcellence

🔎Seeking Junior Project Manager🔎 CHOIR Boston VA Health Systems Research Center of Innovation is seeking a full-time Junior Project Manager to perform a variety of research and administrative functions to support Principal Investigators and project teams to meet research project objectives. The Center for Health Optimization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), jointly located in the Bedford and Boston, MA VA healthcare systems, seeks to advance coordinated, patient-centered health care for all Veterans through research and quality improvement. This is a GS-9 term position with an initial salary of approximately $69,905/year. Term positions last for 3 years and are typically renewed at the end of each term contingent upon performance and availability of funding. If you are interested, please email Ryann Engle (Ryann.Engle@va.gov) with a copy of your resume/CV and a cover letter. Learn more about CHOIR here: choir.research.va.gov

Navy Veteran Dr. Clifford is analyzing audiograms from VA's Million Veteran Program to predict hearing loss risk and develop customized hearing protection and care. Learn more about MVP and how you can contribute to research: mvp.va.gov

Sometimes the signs that someone is having thoughts of suicide aren’t obvious. Changes in behavior, mood, or routines can signal a #Veteran needs support. Learn more: VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis.

A change to VA education benefits. Veterans no longer need to request a review to learn whether they’re affected, and VA will automatically review the files of more than one million previously identified Veterans

If you see signs of crisis and aren’t sure what to do next, the #VeteransCrisisLine can help and get you connected to local support: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

VA’s disability claims backlog is now below 100,000 for the first time since 2020, benefits access is getting faster for surviving family members, and VA is moving to restore Second Amendment rights for affected Veterans in its Fiduciary Program. See more VA improvements here: department.va.gov/veteransfirst/ #Veterans #VA #VABenefits #HealthCare

VA S.A.V.E. Training teaches you how to recognize warning signs of #Veteran suicide and respond before a situation becomes critical. Take the free online training online now: learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save.

Our Research Teams do some pretty amazing work! Lots of hard work, dedication, research and collaboration goes into creating programs and services that improve Veterans' quality of life. This virtual reality program is no different. Congratulations to @VABedfordHCS New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and Hospice & Palliative Care Teams for their amazing work. Read the full publication by visiting pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41661112/

@VAResearch Congratulation to the hard work and dedication from the amazing staff at @VABedfordHCS that made this happen for our aging Veterans!

#VAResearchNewsBrief: VA researchers in Bedford, Massachusetts, found using virtual reality can improve the well-being of Veterans receiving end-of-life hospice care. #VAResearch research.va.gov/news_briefs/ne…