Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Pictured: Pat Olaker displays a frame promoting volunteerism at the Chillicothe VAMC. Submitted photo

CHILLICOTHE, OH —The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will mark Feb. 14-20 as National Salute to Veteran Patients in effort to honor hospitalized Veterans.

VA will honor Veteran patients by encouraging communities seek opportunities to volunteer at their local VA facilities.

“VA values the contributions of our volunteers, donors and partners in helping us keep the promise to America’s Veterans,” said VA Acting Secretary Dat P. Tran. “These community resources demonstrate that we are a nation that cares and remembers their sacrifices every day.”

Last year, schools, community groups and youth organizations nationwide sent more than 109,000 valentines to VA medical centers, which were distributed to Veteran patients at facilities across the country. Additionally, more than 2,900 volunteers and 521 community organizations contributed to events and activities recognizing hospitalized Veterans.

Nationwide, over 46,000 volunteers provide more than 4.4 million volunteer hours serving Veterans. Volunteers are a priceless asset to the nation’s Veterans and to the department.

Locally the Chillicothe VA Medical Center uses volunteer drivers to transport Veterans to their health care appointments. These volunteers drove 9,000 hours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chillicothe VA volunteers can also be found bringing in donations to support our VA Food Pantry to fight food insecurities among Veterans. Volunteers are addressing the serious and significant issue affecting many Veterans when financial resources are exhausted.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to join the mission to honor the sacrifice and service of America’s Veterans during the National Salute or any time of year, visit the nearest VA facility or contact Voluntary Service online at www.volunteer.va.gov or locally at www.chillicothe.va.gov/giving/index.asp. For more information about the Chillicothe VA, visit their webpage (www.va.gov/chillicothe), follow them on facebook (facebook.com/ChillicotheVAMC) and twitter (@chillicothevamc).

Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Chillicothe, OH — This year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) commemorates 75 years of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 

Originally established in 1946 as the Department of Medicine & Surgery to care for Veterans returning from World War II, VHA has evolved to meet the unique challenges and care needs of Veterans from every era and at every stage of their lives.

“As we celebrate this historic milestone, we are presented with an opportunity to look back on the Chillicothe VA’s contributions to Veteran health care as part of VHA’s 75-year history,” said Dr. Kathy Berger, Medical Center Director.  “It is also a fitting occasion to recognize the extraordinary efforts of Chillicothe VA staff and volunteers, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, a testament to our providing Veterans with efficient, quality health care.” 

Since opening in 1924, the Chillicothe VA has made vast and wide-reaching contributions as part of VHA’s rich 75-year history to improve the health of Veterans and the entire nation by providing services and technologies that have changed the way health care providers across the country practice medicine. 

Some of the Chillicothe VA’s most notable local contributions include: 

• The Chillicothe VA was the first VA Medical Center to use green technology as a primary energy source for fueling facility power with the construction of a Biomass Energy Plant in 2011. 
• 2,040 health care providers have received medical training at this facility since 2013, including 36 graduates of the Professional Psychology Internship program. The skills and knowledge these health care providers learn from VHA are implemented in hospitals and clinics across the country. 
• VHA leads the nation in telehealth services with over 6,900 Veterans using these services at the Chillicothe VA and increasing telehealth by 51% during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Chillicothe VA leads the region with 80% of the providers trained in telehealth services.
• An active partnership is maintained with the Wright-Patterson AFB Medical Center (WPMC) to provide inpatient, outpatient and surgical procedures for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members.  WPMC provided 28 different inpatient and outpatient specialty services for an average of 3,000 Veterans per year, utilizing excess capacity and shared staffing, realizing over a million dollars in cost savings.  This successful collaboration has resulted in increased access and timely appointments, high patient satisfaction, and efficient stewardship of federal funding.

For more information about VHA’s 75th anniversary, visit https://www.va.gov/vha-history/. 

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO – In order to maximize resources in response to the COVID 19 pandemic across the South Central Ohio market within VISN 10, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center will close the acute medical beds, including the COVID care unit.  Urgent Care will remain open.  For Veterans who need admission for acute medical care or COVID, care will be coordinated with the VA facilities in Dayton, Cincinnati and Wright Patterson Air Force Base, as well as community hospitals.  

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can contact your healthcare provider through MyHealtheVet secure messaging or call 740-773-1141, extension 5575. 

While this adjustment to inpatient procedures is effective immediately, Veterans’ needs will be continuously reassessed and adjusted as needed.

The VA continues to be committed to providing Veterans quality healthcare and meeting their healthcare needs with minimized risk to this virus.  A variety of at-home resources and virtual care options are available.  For more information about VA’s Connected Care technologies, visit connectedcare.va.gov. 

Veterans not enrolled in the VA healthcare system are encouraged to visit www.chillicothe.va.gov/enrollment.asp to register or call 740-772-7170 with questions.

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO – During the month of December, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center reminds community members, businesses and organizations about the benefits of supporting local hospitalized Veterans on GivingTuesdays.  Created in 2012, GivingTuesday is a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity before the holidays, and enables participants to turn good intentions into action.

Each year, hundreds of Veterans spend the holidays in the Chillicothe VA Community Living Centers (CLCs).  Many of these hospitalized Veterans may not have an opportunity to see family members and friends during the holiday season.  On GivingTuesday and throughout the year, community members, corporate donors and other organizations can support Veteran inpatients by making a donation to the Chillicothe VA’s Holiday Gift Program, which provides gift packages for each hospitalized Veteran on the CLCs during the holiday season.

“The holidays can be a very lonely and challenging time of the year for many people, but this is even more evident for Veterans who are hospitalized and far from their loved ones,” says Heather Murphy, Chief, Voluntary Services.  “GivingTuesday is a wonderful opportunity to support the needs of our hospitalized Veterans this holiday season and to remind them that their service in the armed forces has not been forgotten.”

To make a donation, visit www.chillicothe.va.gov and click on “Volunteer or Donate” on the left side of the page, or call 740-773-1141, extension 7420.

Veterans not enrolled in the VA healthcare system are encouraged to visit chillicothe.va.gov/enrollment.asp to register or call 740-772-7170 with questions.

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

CHILLICOTHE – In an effort to protect the health of Veterans and visitors at the Chillicothe VA and Community Clinics, those accessing the VA will be screened for Coronavirus prior to admission onto campus.  

The North Entrance at the Chillicothe VA will be closed effective Monday, November 16 at Noon.  All incoming and outgoing traffic will use the South or West Gates.  Please allow yourself a few extra minutes for possible delays.

Screening questions include: 

• Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea?
• Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes) with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or with anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?
• Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?

Individuals are encouraged to take every day preventative actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Please contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the above COVID-like symptoms.

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO – With the COVID-19 still present, getting your flu vaccine is extremely important this year.  Help protect yourself and others by getting your flu vaccination.

Symptoms associated with seasonal flu include:

1. fever
2. chills
3. body or muscle aches
4. headache
5. feeling tired and weak
6. cough
7. sneezing
8. runny or stuffy nose
9. sore throat
10. chest discomfort.  

If you have these symptoms, it is important to stay away from others and rest.  Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and take a fever reducer as advised by your healthcare provider.  Make sure to notify your healthcare provider within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.  Antivirals can be prescribed within the first 48 hours to help lessen your symptoms.  You can reduce your risk of contracting the flu by doing these simple things:

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. Get adequate sleep.
6. WASH YOUR HANDS frequently!

To minimize unnecessary exposure to the seasonal flu or to COVID-19, the Chillicothe VA and VA Community Clinics are administering vaccinations while Veterans remain in their vehicle.  Veterans can also request a flu shot during a regularly scheduled appointment.

When utilizing one of the following drive-thru flu clinics, Veterans need to wear a mask and have clothing that will allow upper arm to be bare for the injection.  

Chillicothe VA Drive-Thru Flu Clinic (Building 9)

Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10a – 6p through November 19

Athens VA Clinic Walk-Up Flu Clinic

Tuesdays 8a – Noon; Thursdays 1p – 4p 

Cambridge VA Clinic Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

October 6, 10a – 6p; Walk Up Flu Clinic, Thursdays 4:30p – 6p by appointment, call 740-432-1963

Lancaster VA Clinic Walk-Up Flu Clinic

Thursdays 8a – 4p through October 29

Saturday Flu Clinic, October 3, 10a – 2p

Evening Flu Clinic, October 8, 4p – 8p

Outreach Flu Clinic at Amvets, 700 S. Maple Street, October 6, 10a – 2p

Marietta VA Clinic Walk-Up Flu Clinic

VA Mobile Unit, October 29, 10a – 6p

Outreach Flu Clinic at American Legion Post 64, 9 Wooster Street, September 19, 10a – 6p; October 9, 10a – 6p

Outreach Flu Clinic at Marietta Times Parking Lot, 700 Channel Lane

VA Mobile Unit, September 26, 8:30a – 3:30p

Portsmouth VA Clinic Walk-Up Flu Clinic

Thursdays 8a – 4p, through October 29

Saturday Flu Clinic, October 3, 10a – 2p

Evening Flu Clinic, October 8, 4p – 8p

Outreach Flu Clinic at American Legion, 705 S. Court Street, October 6, 10a – 2p

Wilmington VA Clinic Drive-Up/Walk-Up Flu Clinic

Monday/Wednesday/Fridays 12:30p – 4:30p, through October 30

Saturday Flu Clinic, October 17, 10a – 2p

Evening Flu Clinic, September 23, 4p – 8p, October 14, 4p – 8p

With questions regarding the flu clinics, Veterans can call 773-1141, ext. 5575, or your local VA Clinic.  

Athens VA Clinic: 740-592-7220

Cambridge VA Clinic: 740-432-1963

Lancaster VA Clinic: 740-653-6145

Marietta VA Clinic: 740-568-0412

Portsmouth VA Clinic: 740-353-3236

Wilmington VA Clinic: 937-382-3949

If you are not enrolled in the VA healthcare system, visit chillicothe.va.gov/enrollment.asp to register or call 740-772-7170 with questions.