Four new members have been appointed to VA’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises the secretary on issues and programs impacting women Veterans. Chartered in 1983, the committee conducts meetings and site visits in order to make policy recommendations as well as legislative changes. Previous minutes and reports are available online.
“As VA continues to work toward modernization, the committee’s guidance will assist the department in implementing informed transitions to meet the evolving needs of women Veterans,” VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin said in a statement announcing the new members. “The new appointees’ diverse perspectives are invaluable in anticipating these needs.”
The new members are:
Moses McIntosh of Hephzibah, Georgia is a retired chief warrant officer and a former national commander of the Disabled American Veterans, where he served as the official spokesman of the organization and provided leadership to its national executive committee.
Yareli Mendoza of Iowa City, Iowa is an Air Force Veteran currently pursuing a doctorate of philosophy degree in higher education and student affairs with a specialization in higher education administration and policy.
Keronica Richardson of Gaithersburg, Maryland is an Army Veteran with deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently serves as the assistant director for women and minority Veterans outreach at The American Legion.
Wanda Wright of Tempe, Arizona is a retired Air Force colonel, currently serving as the director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, where she is a state cabinet member and provides leadership and direction for administering benefits and services to Veterans and their dependents.
Current member Octavia Harris, a retired Navy command master chief petty officer, was appointed chair of the committee. Members Dr. Kailyn Bobb, and Air Force Veteran, and Navy Commander Janet West were each reappointed for an additional term.
I extend my very sincere gratitude to outgoing chair, retired Army Colonel Mary Westmoreland, as well as Army Veteran Keith Howard-Streicher, retired Army Colonel Edna Boyd Jones, and retired Army Captain Leslie Smith for completing their dedicated, selfless service on the committee.
The contributions of a variety of subject matter experts from a wide range of backgrounds on an array of federal advisory committees are a key component of VA’s overall strategy to achieve stakeholder and public engagement in its efforts and commitment to serve Veterans, their families, and survivors. I encourage those interested in serving in this capacity to visit the VA Advisory Committee Management Office website to learn more.
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Loved being called a liar by a staff member in place to help me. Just confirmed that that particular male individual see women as beneath him. I thought pain was subjective. Guess not if you’re argued with spoken down to and flat out told you’re a liar because there’s nothing wrong with you and maybe you should go back and see the dr(nonVA) you were seeing before me. (Well VA didnt have one of you at the time i spent my own damn money for help)Hmm. Will never darken his door again. That part. Oh and he’s still tbere-bless his heart. Don’t do disrespect. Taken or given. I grew up in the South in the 60s. I know it when I see it. Don’t worry about a response. I don’t expect one.
Hello
I am a female veteran who works at Greater Los Angeles VA. I would like to be involved with the Veteran Advisory Groyp. I support and advocate. For our female veterans , ensuring their needs are met, providing resources, housing,
What about the bill on Fort McClellan
what about fort Mcclellan we need help
I hope the VA will hold to this. The new Kernersville, N.C. VA Center doesn’t have a mammogram machine, even though there is room for it and all the other scanning machines are there. Where I see a huge problem is in Mental Health. Suicide rates for women veterans are escalating. Being in the MH system myself I can see where the problems lay. There’s not enough staff to thoroughly help the veterans, men or women. They can handle superficial issues, but can not provide the possibly weekly sessions some vets need. You can’t provide therapy on a 1-2 month basis. The mental health departments need help to take care of the veterans.
The Choice Plus, or VA Direct Payment, is not the veterans choice of providers. It’s who ever is signed up with the VA to provide services and this could be in another city instead of the local provider.
There should never be a male connected to women’s healthi don’t care how well educated he is or who he is. As far as women’s health card even in LaJolla there are not enough women providers especially psychiatrist
As a 100% disable veteran I should be able to chose what hospital or provider I want to see in any hospital or clinic and have the VA pay for it
I would like to know when they will hire more Doctors at the Women’s Clinic at the American Lake VA in Washington State. My Dr. retired and I was put in the Choice program and I do not like it. The Doctors that are chosen for me are too over loaded to give me good care or they have a bad personally. I want back into the women’s clinic at the VA in Washington State. I’m a Veteran I’m not service connected but I do get VA benefits. I’m very grateful for these I get all my medical and med’s I need. I also get mental health care. I have been with the VA here in Washington State since 1992. I just want the medical care I was getting when I was in the Woman’s Clinic.
I’m a Navy veteran I live in Michigan Haslett Michigan I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income I need Dental Care I can’t afford it out of pocket the VA tells me I had to be in Wartime in order to get my teeth worked on I have 6 teeth in the top of my mouth I can barely eat my food I have some more than starting to bother me they need to make Dental care equal for all of us I only get $884 a month I have to pay rent utilities and buy food I’ve tried everything with the VA as far as getting my teeth worked on please make a change in this area I’m only 66 years old and I just need serious Dental Care
There is a Dental program for Vets that are not Connected or on a low income like me. Its called VA Dental Insurance Program Through Delta Dental. Just type in VA Dental Insurance Program It should give you a link. I have it the cost is 26.06 a month you can choose what plan you can afford. I have had it for over a year now I have used it to get my teeth cleaned. Any thing else there is a deductible for me but you can choose a higher paid plan for no Deductible. I’m 64 and it gives me a little piece of mind knowing I can get dental work if I do need it. Hope this helps
I am not a veteran, but I am a chaplain at the VA-NY Harbor Healthcare System and came across this information online for low income or no income in living in Michigan. I hope this is helpful to you in some way in the meantime. Please check out this link below:
http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/michigan_free_dental_clinics_a.html
Or copy and paste the information listed below onto a Word document or even an email and print out.
Michigan free and low cost dental clinics.
Find how to get free or low priced dental care in Michigan. A large number of clinics, dental centers, non-profit and pro-bono organizations provide numerous services and programs to qualified families and individuals.
While many of the Michigan clinics focus their care on the low income, unemployed, working poor, uninsured, and people with limited health insurance, the fact is most people will not be turned away. So that means if you call or stop by a dental clinic for assistance, then the center will do what it can to meet your needs.
In addition to providing help, they can also direct people to other options, such as government insurance and medical programs.
Baldwin Family Health Care, Inc.
Baldwin, Michigan 49304
Phone number – (231)745-2736
Bay Mills Indian Community
Brimley, Michigan 49715
Phone – (906)248-5579
This is a full service dental clinic for the local community. Some of the programs and details of dental aid offered includes check ups, cleanings, sealants, root canals, crown and bridge work, extraction, jaw problems, and more.
Oakland Primary Health Services, Inc.
Pontiac, MI 48342
Phone number – 248.322.6747
Cherry Street Services
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Telephone – (616)235-7289
Access dental services that can help people prevent problems, and restore or address issues that may come up. Several locations offer basic and advanced dental cleanings and services.
Community Health & Social Services Center
Detroit, MI 48209
Telephone – (313)-849-3920
Numerous assistance programs are offered. Or get information on government resources such as Medicaid or uninsured health insurance options.
Center for Family Health, Inc.
Jackson, MI 49202
(517) 748-5500
Alcona Citizens for Health, Inc.
Michigan
(989)736-3020
Detroit Health Care for The Homeless
Detroit, MI 48223
(313)255-8665
The indigent, homeless, and very low income can receive dental care. This includes checkups, cleanings, fluoride, and other basic care. If you need more in depth help them referrals can be provided.
Covenant Community Care Inc.
Detroit, Michigan 48216
(313)554-1095
Various high quality, yet affordable, medical services are offered including dental care, Family Practice, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, OB/Gyn, and Pediatrics.
Detroit Community Health Connection
Detroit, MI 48215
(313)822-0900
All people can get help, regardless of income or health insurance status. Access quality dental and medical care. The services are offered for free and/or on a reduced rate or sliding fee scale.
Downriver Community Services, Inc.
Algonac, MI 48001
Dial (810) 794-4917
East Jordan Family Health Center
East Jordan, Michigan 49727
Clinic phone number – (231)536-2206
Family Health Center of Battle Creek
Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269)965-8866
Helps children that have medicaid. In addition, people over 60 with a limited income or no insurance may also qualify for reduced priced or free dental care. Access everything from cleaning to complex restorative procedures.
Family Health Center
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269)349-2641
Call the clinic for information or an appointment. Volunteer dentists, hygienists, and other professionals from the Michigan community do what they can to assist the less fortunate.
Family Medical Center of Michigan, Inc.
Temperance, Michigan 48182
(734)847-3802
A wide variety of low cost dental services and programs are offered.
Local Michigan dental clinics
Several other clinics and dental centers are located in counties and towns across the state. They offer free or low cost dental care for local patients. Find information below.
Genesee County
Kalamazoo County
Kent County
Macomb County
Oakland County
Wayne County
Hackley Community Care Center
Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)737-1335
This Michigan based dental center is committed to provided high quality dental and oral care.
Hamilton Community Health Network, Inc.
Flint, MI 48505
Dial – (810)785-0863
Access dental services include Pediatrics, General Dentistry, and extractions.
Health delivery, Inc.
Saginaw, MI 48602
Phone (89) 759-6400
Offers high quality health and dental care to families and individuals. A focus is on patients in Saginaw, Bay and other nearby counties in Michigan. Everyone can get help, whether they can pay their bills or not.
Community Health & Social Services Center
Detroit, MI 48209
Telephone – (313)849-3920
Programs include Restorative or Preventative care, referrals for oral surgery, extractions and more.
Ingham County Health Department
5303 S Cedar St Lansing, MI 48911
Dial (517) 887-4311 for an appointment.
Intercare Community Health Network
Bangor, Michigan 49013
(616) 399-0200
Lakeland Immediate Care Center
Cassopolis, MI 49031
Phone: (269) 445-3874
Detroit Health Care for The Homeless
Detroit, MI 48223
Call (313)255-8665 for hours
Free or inexpensive dental and medical care is offered for low income and homeless. Patients will not have any health insurance plans and they can still receive assistance from the dental clinic.
Hchn – Comm Mental Health
Flint, MI 48503-2445
810-762-5251
Permanent Medical, Mental, and Dental Clinic in the Flint Michigan area for people facing a hardship.
Hchn – Dental North
Flint, Michigan 48505-1536
810-785-0863
Dental Clinic. Offers reduced prices and more to patients.
New century adult day treatment program
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 422-5468
Saint Marys Health Care
200 Jefferson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Call (616) 685-5000 for details.
Cherry Street Health Services Dental Traveling School Program
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4262
616-776-2363
Students, supervised by professionals, offer care. The organization can assist people and families that have no dental insurance or limited coverage.
Ferguson Dental Health Center
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-4262
Call – 616-776-2340
Permanent Dental and Medical Clinic.
Mobile Dental Bus #1
Saginaw, Michigan 48607-1208
Community clinic phone for appointments – 989-759-6400
Mobile Van Clinic.
Ingham County Health Department
Lansing, MI 48911
(517) 887-4300
Sterling Area Health Center Dental
Alger, Michigan 48610-9327
989-873-5152
Contact this clinic to learn how to get health and dental assistance. Both doctors and dentists can help the low income as well as uninsured meet their medical and health care needs.
Michigan Primary Care Association
Lansing, MI 48917
Dial 517-381-8000
Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic
Lansing, MI 48910-3496
Permanent Clinic
(860) 623-2601
Children and students may receive assistance from the dental center.
Family Health and Dental Center
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Dial for dental care – (269)349-2641
Depending on the Michigan patient’s qualifications, receive fillings, cleanings, crowns, partials, bridges and maybe even dentures. Minimal costs and fees may be required.
Community Mental Health Clinic
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3334
Dial – 269-349-4257
Permanent Clinic.
Dr Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic
Pontiac, MI 48342
Provides free medical, dental, and health care to women, health care and dental services to low income, uninsured and underinsured families and individuals. Everyone is helped regardless of religion, race, or ability to pay.
Wadsworth Dental Center
Saginaw, Michigan 48601-1435
Telephone – 989-754-7771
Free dental clinic. Call for information.
CAC Dental Site
Saginaw, MI 48601-1505
989-759-6446
Health and dental care center. If your income is low enough then some free programs may be administered.
Hdi Mobile Dental Bus #2
Saginaw, Michigan 48607-1208
Call the dental center at 989-759-6400
Mobile Van Clinic. Visits local communities and uses volunteers to provide services.
Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc.
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone number – 231-947-1112
Sterling Area HC
Sterling, Michigan 48659
Dickinson-Iron Dental Center
Crystal Falls, Michigan 49920-1503
906-875-6133
An onsite clinic, dentists, and medical professionals can help those in need.
Downriver Community Services, Inc.
555 St Clair River Dr
Algonac, MI 48001
Telephone – (810) 794-4917
A sliding fee scale is in effect. Accepts some government and private health insurance plans. Screenings, basic check ups, X Rays, fillings, and similar services are administered.
I am a:
Single
Femalr
BRetired
Service Connectioned
Homeless lady who just moved Louisiana a few days ago and I desperately need help and support
Melinda- I am a homeless Veteran as well in the Grant Per diem program in Clearwater FL. Go to the closest VA and tell them you need to speak to a social worker that deals with homeless veterans. They should have one. They should be able to get you housing.
Be persistent, honest and respectful. There are many resources available!
Best of luck!!!
Gina Navy Veteran
Hud ash is a great place to start
Thank you for this information. I would live to be more involved. I was previously involved in Douth term CA before relocating to Frederick MD. Please let me know how and what I can be involved in..
Rhonda Beckwith
time to stop the special treatment and programs. In our post-racial/gender society, there should only be VETERANS without any qualifier added.
All veterans get the same treatment or none of them get it.
This I am more equal crap has gone on too long and needs to be stopped. The ones pushing it are actually bigots or gender nazis because they want to elevate there group to ma superior position
Learn to type, think or spell J Browning.
There is no post racial/gender era……as much as we had hoped. We are as we were.
If you have an issue, say so, but ranting won’t help.
There is no “special treatment” for any veteran, but you might do well to walk a mile in a teammate’s moccasins. Help, don’t hurt.
AMEN
Thank You for the Photographs of the new Members. I can see that the McIntosh is not the same person that I worked for at Ft. Carson, Colorado. I still wish it had been. But we seldon get what we hope for.
I hope everyone has a Great New Year.