In celebration of National Women’s Health Week, May 12-18, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the country hosted events to support women Veterans and connect them with VA’s health care services.
VA Temple had a Fair and Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans and many other Organizations were asked to participate by setting up a table and distributing information.
Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans for this Event was lead by Mr Joe Hill, SGVHV Event Coordinator. The members participation was off the chart with over 20 members volunteering for this Event in support of Women Vets. SGVHV served our special “Root Beer Floats” and was a hot spot as far as visitors were concerned. A Special Thanks goes to Harker Heights Sams Club which donated the ice cream and root beer. Sams Club also set up a table to distribute information.
Several doors or prizes were given and SGVHV members Ms Anna McBean and Ms Karen Powell were winners
VA is serving nearly a half million women Veterans and we want to take care of even more,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Events like these get them through the doors, so they meet VA health providers and learn firsthand about the comprehensive services and quality care VA provides to women who have served.
Women are among the fastest growing Veteran demographics, accounting for more than 30% of the increase in Veterans who served between 2014 and 2018. The number of women using VA health services has tripled since 2000, growing from about 160,000 to nearly 500,000 today. VA offers a wide range of primary care and specialty services for women Veterans, such as health screenings, preconception counseling, maternity care, menopausal support and more.
VA Medical Centers with dedicated women’s health clinics will celebrate National Women’s Health Week by hosting either an open house or outreach events. Veterans attending these events can speak with health providers about the broad range of services offered at their medical centers and hear from experts on topics such as maternity care and child safe homes. Tours of the clinics and educational materials was available.
VA is seeking broad public participation and encourages Veteran Service Organization members to participate.
To learn about events at facilities in communities around the country, visit the local VAMC website or contact the public affairs officer directly.
VA encourages women Veterans not currently using VA health care services to enroll and use the benefits they have earned