Milwaukee VA Medical Center

There is a marvelous spirit of giving at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. Presents were wheeled out to children and Veterans alike, thanks to employees and a couple of great outreach programs.

AF Veteran considers Thanksgiving Day a calendar celebration of a 365-day scorecard of appreciation. He is thankful for the kindness and compassion VA staff demonstrate in caring for our Veterans.

It is a tough, labor-of-love, kind of job. VA partners with family member caregivers to help provide critical round-the-clock support of their Veterans.

Jim Jacobi has had a lot thrown at him -- war, Agent Orange, triple bypass surgery and losing both legs. But this Vietnam Vet keeps it all positive.

Dr. Mike McBride was providing telehealth when telehealth wasn’t cool. The Milwaukee VA psychiatrist, who is also an Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran, was the first provider here to use mental health telehealth in someone’s home about three years ago. McBride was treating a Veteran with severe post-traumatic stress who couldn’t leave the house because of other medical issues.

Even though he can’t drive, Marine Veteran Kenneth Schmitt receives VA primary care through home-based primary care, which allows Veterans to remain at home as they face aging and chronic disease.

Instead of driving 300 miles to visit a cardiologist at a VA medical center, Veteran Jerry Roberts drives 30 miles to a nearby VA clinic to be examined remotely over computer via telecardiology.

When Veteran Jim Borelli was unable to drive his power wheelchair with a round joystick, a Milwaukee VA Medical Center physical therapist put him back in control with a square 3D-printed replacement.

Three Milwaukee VA police jumped into action after a man riding the city bus overdosed on heroin. The police and a VA doctor saved his life.

Veteran Tom Zurhellen is walking 22 miles a day from Oregon to New York to raise awareness about Veteran suicide and homelessness. He says 22 is the number of Veterans who commit suicide each day.

Army Veteran “Doc” Dentice planned on a one-and-done holiday party for Veterans at the Milwaukee VA back in 1988. This year, assisted by 85 volunteers, he did it again…party number 31!

All Hands Boatworks was founded in 2013 by Bill Nimke, whose background was teaching, although not shop class. He was familiar with other youth boat-building organizations around the country and saw the possibilities provided by Milwaukee’s myriad of waterways.