Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

From The VA
In this centennial year of her death, nurses around the world recognize Florence nightingale as the founder of modern nursing and as a visionary who emphasized that nursing practice should be measured by outcomes through evidence-based practice and that nurses should be “educated,” not “trained.” During National Nurses Week, VA recognizes the core role its 77,000 nursing staff members play in providing Veterans quality care by enhancing safety and efficiency through their professional practice and interdisciplinary team approach to patient-driven care for our Veterans. VA’s Nursing Service has a notable history of 80 years of leadership, innovation, and dedication in the nursing profession. Working in the world’s largest integrated health care system, VA nursing personnel face unique challenges and opportunities. Caring for men and women spanning the generations calls for new approaches and innovation. VA nursing is developing creative solutions to enhance retention and recruitment of a quality nurse corps in a very competitive market. VA nurses are dedicated to the VA mission and will continue to advance nursing practice in a rapidly changing health care. Learn more about VA nursing programs on line here.

Top Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1. Semmes man named Disabled Veteran of Year; he’s a quadruple amputee Mobile Alabama (AP) — An Alabama man has been honored as the nation’s Disabled Veteran of the Year for 2010. Disabled American Veterans will present the award to Dave Riley of Semmes at the group’s annual convention this summer in Atlanta. Riley is a quadruple amputee.
2. Veterans return from Middle East with multi-symptom pain disorders Washington, DC – Continual exposure to recurring blasts, cognitive issues, deep emotional impacts, and acute and chronic pain have made life painful for veterans, both men and women, who return from Afghanistan, say researchers. The finding was discussed at the American Pain Society’s annual scientific meeting.
3. Iowa gov candidates focus on soldiers, veterans Des Moines, Iowa (AP) – Veterans and people serving in the military make up less than 10 percent of Iowa’s population, but they’re drawing lots of attention from the candidates for governor. Democratic Gov. Chet Culver says issues surrounding veterans and military families are among his top priorities. Republican Terry Branstad formed a Veterans for Branstad committee and says he’s the only candidate who served in the military.
4. Vets advised to check on health care benefits Honolulu, Hawaii – With average home-care services in Hawaii costing $51,480 annually, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka reminds war veterans they might qualify for additional pension benefits to help with health care.
5. Desensitization found to help those dealing with trauma Evansville, Indiana – The little girl was so upset she hadn’t slept in a week. The little boy tended to flee — sometimes dashing into traffic — when a bad memory surfaced. The young trauma survivors improved when a local therapist treated them with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
6. A son’s need, a mother’s love: 7 years of sacrifice after a bullet in Baghdad shatters lives Manassas Park, Virginia (AP) – There are mothers who will spend today missing sons and daughters fighting overseas. There are women who have lost children in those wars, for whom Mother’s Day will never be the same. And then there is Eva Briseno. Joseph Briseno Jr., Eva’s 27-year-old son, is one of the most severely wounded soldiers ever to survive. A bullet to the back of his head in a Baghdad marketplace in 2003 left him paralyzed, brain-damaged and blind, but awake and aware of his condition.
7. VA Funds Aided Richland scientist in work on medical ultrasound Richland, Washington – When Jerry Posakony of Richland asked for a copy of the results of a recent ultrasound of his kidney, the medical workers smiled and indulged him. What he didn’t tell them was that he was instrumental in developing the imaging technology they were using.
8. Livermore, California – Lawrence Livermore research showing how blasts injure brains may improve soldiers’ helmets In the spring of 2007, Willy Moss was having breakfast with his wife one Sunday morning. She was reading a newspaper article that said that the effect of blasts on soldiers’ brains was unknown. As a brain scientist, she was intrigued. She turned to her physicist husband and said, “You can simulate that, can’t you?” Two years later, Moss had done just that.
9. State affirms Lebanon veterans home Lebanon, Oregon – The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs will proceed with plans to build a 100- to 150-bed home in Lebanon, despite protests from two other counties that had applied to house the facility. Officials in Jackson and Klamath counties have been informed of the decision, project manager John Osborn said Friday.
10. 2010 Military Spouse of the Year Anchorage, Alaska – Mrs. Lori Bell was awarded the 2010 Military Spouse of the Year award in recognition of her commitment to the military community, including her active duty Air Force husband Kenyon and their two young children, Amira and Kenyon II — and her ongoing volunteer work and community contributions.