VA Photos of the Week: October 11, 2019

Chronic pain is a serious problem for combat Veterans. West Texas VA staff participated in Battlefield Acupuncture Training on Oct. 9 as a way of offering more options to Veterans dealing with pain. This is an emerging method for easing discomfort, and a non-pharmacological intervention. Photo via VA West Texas staff.

James Dudley, Jr., Associate Director, or better known as Batman, swooped into the emergency room at Richmond #VAMC to recognize some of the heroes among us on Oct. 10 in honor of
Emergency Nurses Week. Angel Reyes Hernandez (left) is now known as Super Man. Loved by Veterans and staff alike, Reyes came to Richmond from the Puerto Rico VA. Christina Moreno (right) is now Wonder Woman. She received this award because of her constant pursuit of excellence. Known as the “quiet storm,” she inspires everyone to be better. Thank you Angel and Christina for being the heroes our Veterans need! Photo via Richmond VA staff.

Oktoberfest at Stratton VA’s ADHC (Adult Day Health Care) with Squeeze Play! Squeeze Play is an accordion band that plays a variety of traditional German music. The outstanding performance was enjoyed by Veterans, along with hot soft pretzels and root beer. Photo via Stratton VA staff.

Shoals and Guntersville VA Clinic staff members participated in Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 7 at the Birmingham VA. They also displayed a pink firetruck named “Melissa,” where Veterans, visitors and staff were encouraged to write kind words that support those affected by breast cancer. Photo via Birmingham VA staff.

South Texas VA Physician’s Assistant, Anisa Garcia, holds up her famous “tar in a jar” during the South Texas VA Smoke Free Celebration and Education event. The unsightly gunk is a popular attraction in her occupational health office. She says the sample is representative of the amount of tar that passes through a smoker’s lungs each year from smoking 10 cigarettes per day. The VA Health Care System recently went smoke free on Oct. 1 and the event was designed to assist Veterans and staff with making a better transition. Photo via Steven Goetsch, public affairs specialist at the South Texas VA.