VA Expands Care Access, Suicide Prevention to National Guard

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ new electronic health record system is expected to go “live” at the first sites in Washington State in just a couple of months?  On Tuesday, January 21st, John H. Windom, executive director of VA’s Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization (OEHRM), will host a VSO Town Hall to provide updates on this nationwide effort and answer any questions you may have. Why:  VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) will affect Veterans across the country and improve their overall healthcare experience.  Learn more about EHRM, its expected impact, and how to stay engaged with OEHRM in order to effectively communicate with Veterans on the upcoming changes. What :  This Quarterly Town Hall will provide EHRM updates to VSOs and discuss topics such as new Veteran resources, and how their records are captured and stored. Who :  John H. Windom, executive director of OEHRM, will be presenting to VSO leaders. When :  1-2 p.m. EST, Jan. 21, 2020 Where :  Join via Webex to follow the presentation and via phone for audio. To join the Webex meeting: https://bahmeet.webex.com/bahmeet/j.php?MTID=m9ebf18d9b92cf1a21a8d2105faae8f62 Meeting number: 646 725 566 Password: OEHRM0120 If you do not have the desktop app, you can go to the option at the bottom of your browser that indicates, “Having trouble opening the desktop app?  Join from your browser.” To join by phone: (540) 443-6236 (800) 300-3070 (toll free) Access code: 646 725 566 Please reach out to OEHRMCommunications@va.gov if you have any questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 6, 2019 Registration opens for 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games 40th anniversary of sports and rehabilitative event July 3-8 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) announced Jan. 6, registration is open for the 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Eligible Veterans may register through April 1 for the sports and rehabilitative event which runs July 3-8 in Portland, Oregon. “The National Veterans Wheelchair Games serves as a premier adaptive sports medicine model demonstrating the unwavering pledge Veterans make to show nothing is impossible,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The last four decades, this life-changing competition has provided thousands of Veterans with disabilities, a national stage to celebrate their strength and willpower and open new doors with each challenge.” The National Veterans Wheelchair Games debuted with seven events and 77 athletes. This year will feature more than 20 events and more than 650 athletes. The games are designed for Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or other neurological conditions. Each year Veterans travel from around the country to compete in the world’s largest annual multi-sport wheelchair competition. “For this landmark 40th year we’re offering new and exciting opportunities for Veterans with disabilities, including adaptive e-sports, adaptive fitness competition and disc golf,” said David Zurfluh, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America and an Air Force Veteran who will compete at the event. “These novel sports, in addition to our annual adaptive sports competitions, will provide athletes with a great opportunity to gain skills, confidence and experience to take on challenges in their daily lives.” Competitive events include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field games, hand cycling, nine-ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting. Veterans compete against other former service members with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age. For event updates, follow VA Adaptive Sports4Vets on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and through PVA on PVA Facebook , PVA Twitter and PVA Instagram .

1) As you may have read in news reports last Friday,  Mr. Jimmy Stewart, who is Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, plans to retire (again) at the end of December.   Late last week, Secretary of Defense Esper accepted his resignation and released the following statement, which also announces that Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew P. Donovan will be Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness following Mr. Stewart's departure. ********** Statement by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper: "Today, I accepted the resignation of Jimmy Stewart, who has been performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Jimmy, who was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in October 2018, has been filling the Under Secretary role since then, a role that is critical to the National Defense Strategy, in support of our families and readiness.  I note that Jimmy came out of retirement, after having served 37 years in the Air Force, to serve his country again.  It's people like Jimmy, the selfless individuals who put service before self, who are the backbone of this country.  I thank Jimmy and his family for their service to the department and the Nation, and wish him the best in his retirement. Matthew P. Donovan will be Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.  He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, having served as the Under Secretary of the Air Force." ********** 2)  You also may have seen in news reports in early November and again following last weekend's Army/Navy game, that there is a policy change regarding Military Academy graduates wishing to participate in professional sports.   This policy change has now been formally published as Directive-type Memorandum (DTM)-019-011, which may be found online at this link: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dtm/XDTM%20P19-X01 1.PDF?ver=2019-12-13-150830-960 Note that this DTM serves to implement the President's direction on this policy, which was ordered via the June 26, 2019, Presidential Memorandum found at this link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/memorandum-policy-military-s ervice-academy-reserve-officers-training-corps-graduates-seeking-participate -professional-sports/ Many thanks to all, and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  All my best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season. David David L. Nokes Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs/Community Engagement The Pentagon