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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
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Behavioral Health News
- A Community wide Homeless Veterans’ Stand Down, sponsored by the Jobs & Hope Organization, was held in Utica at the Salvation Army on 1/30/08. Twenty-three veterans and 39 community agency service providers participated offering numerous opportunities for homeless and other veterans as well as family members to access information about an array of services. Mark Nowakowski, LMSW, VA Homeless Outreach at the Rome CBOC, was the primary VA Homeless Team representative. He was joined by Frank Ernenwein, LMSW, HCHV Coordinator, and Adam Ormsby, LMSW, HCHV Outreach at Syracuse. Fred Bush, LMSW, VISN 2 OEF/OIF BVAC, also participated and shared much information about resources available for returning veterans. The Oneida County Executive and Chairman of the Oneida/Herkimer County Homeless Coalition expressed great satisfaction with the event , and planning will begin soon to host another expanded event prior to the end of the year.
- On January 16, 2008, the OEF/OIF Department conducted a Send-Off Dinner at the American Legion in Geneva, NY for 33 soldiers, and 140 family members. A total of 46 volunteers gave a helping hand. The dinner was a successful community collaboration of the OEF/OIF Program, American Legion (Geneva), Salvation Army (Canandaigua), Soldier’s Angels, Blue Star Mothers of America, Army National Guard soldiers and family members of Troop A, 2-101 Calvary. Dinner included speeches by distinguished guests of CPT. Raymond Williams, Commander of Troop A, 2-101; Ms. Mary Luckern, Town of Geneva Supervisor; Mr. Wayne Houseman, Vice-Chairman Board of Ontario County Supervisors; Mr. Craig S. Howard, VAMC Director; and The Honorable Brian Kolb, NYS Assemblyman. Commendation and appreciation awards were exchanged between VAMC, event coordinators and Troop A, 2-101. The Flint Creek country band also performed, and send-off gifts were distributed to the soldiers.
- Dr. Stephen A. Maisto, Acting Executive Director of VISN 2’s Center for Integrated Healthcare, is among the nation’s most-published psychologists, according to a new ranking by the Journal of Clinical Psychology. The rankings are based on the number of peer-reviewed articles and other material published by nearly 2,000 psychology professors across the country. Dr. Maisto, who tied for 13th on the list, also serves as Professor of Psychology at Syracuse University. He conducts research primarily in the area of substance use disorders.
- On December 1, 2007 the OEF/OIF Department conducted a Christmas party at the VAMC Canandaigua auditorium for 145 military family guests. The party was a successful community collaboration of the OEF/OIF Program, Salvation Army, Blue Star Mothers Association, and family members of Battalion # 680 (currently deployed overseas). The party included games, music, movies, arts and crafts, cookie decorating and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus aboard the VA fire truck.
- About 80 staff members at the VA Western New York Healthcare System and their families served Thanksgiving Dinner to homeless and other needy veterans and their families Sunday, November 18th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the VA Western New York Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Avenue. The staff effort was led for the seventh year by Judi Kaczmarek, Human Resources Specialist. About 150 veterans and their families were treated to a turkey and ham dinner and all the trimmings that were served by staff in the VA Food Court located in the hospital's lower level. Veteran Service Organizations and other community groups made donations for the event. Musical entertainment was provided during the meal.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: March 27, 2008 |
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