VA Delivering Care “Outside the Box”

“The American Veteran” Reports on High Tech and Stimulating Surf

WASHINGTON – Using the latest high tech devices as well as the energy of wind and waves, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is helping veterans make health care and health maintenance parts of their everyday routine — a story which is a highlight of the August edition of  “The American Veteran,” the Department’s monthly half-hour news magazine.

“VA brings together the best minds and hearts in many professions to help veterans reclaim their place in the world,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “These stories spotlight the deep reserve of healing within veterans and their desire to embrace life head on.”

The top story highlights VA’s home telehealth program, where over 30,000 veterans are able to check into their medical center daily without ever leaving home.  By entering information into a home monitoring system, data is transmitted instantly to their medical center using standard phone lines. 

A second feature takes viewers to the beaches of Malibu, where veterans experience sun and surf in a uniquely California form of physical and mental therapy — on a surfboard.  All of the participants in this surf workshop are disabled veterans.

There are still some things that can be done only in the hospital, but are being done more quickly and accurately than ever before.  In Loma Linda, Calif., a cardiologist is using the latest Cardiac CT scan technology to diagnose potential heart disease.  Using this sophisticated equipment, thousands of two-dimensional images are used to create an interactive 3-D model of the patient’s heart.

The series is designed to inform active-duty members, veterans, their families and communities about the services and benefits they have earned and to honor them.  VA’s Office of Public Affairs and the VA Learning University / Employee Education System (VALU/EES) produce the program and broadcast it to VA facilities around the world on The Pentagon Channel and to community cable outlets.

Aimed at veterans of all eras, VA also tells stories of heroism and sacrifice, and relives moments in history with those who were there, reminding veterans of the bond of service they share.

VA’s Office of Public Affairs offers the program to local broadcasters and cable outlets and makes it available for viewing on the VA Web site, www.va.gov.  Just click on the “American Veteran” icon at the bottom of the page.

“The American Veteran” schedule on The Pentagon Channel is available at  http://www.pentagonchannel.mil.  The Pentagon Channel has more than 1 million military viewers and is delivered domestically via DISH, EchoStar, T-Warner and Cox cable systems.  (Check for service in your area.)

Additional stories on the August edition of “The American Veteran” include:

*  The Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 is signed into law.  Ohio makes all GI Bill participants eligible for in-state tuition.   

*  Thirty nine communities are selected to receive new Vet Centers. 

*  Women Veteran Program Managers are hired at every VA medical center. 

*  Major League Baseball sponsors reduced price tickets for veterans.

*  The Tiger Woods AT&T National Golf event recognized the sacrifices of service members, both past and present, with 30,000 free tickets.  “The American Veteran” traveled to the tournament over the Fourth of July weekend to capture the sights and sounds of the opening ceremony.

For information about “The American Veteran” program and how to obtain it for local programming, contact VA at 202-461-7502.