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Coming Together in Crisis: Augusta VA Team Transforms a Veteran’s Darkest Day

Two people stand outside a building, one in a red jacket and the other in a blue blazer.
Julie Cole, Infectious Disease Nurse, left, made first contact with a Veteran in need and reached out to her husband and VA Ambassador Edward Cole, to help coordinate care at the Uptown campus within the VA Augusta Health Care System.

What began as a chance encounter became an all-hands-on-deck effort to help a Veteran facing overwhelming hardship.

While walking the halls of VA Augusta Health Care System’s Uptown campus on April 17, 2026, Julie Cole, a VA infection control nurse, noticed a man standing with two friends, their expressions a mix of confusion and strain. When she asked if they needed help, the tragic story unfolded: Just the day prior, the Veteran had lost his home and all his belongings in a fire. To make matters worse, a family member had been taking money from him without his approval. Blind, and two hours from home, the Veteran was unsure where to go next.

Julie didn’t hesitate. She called her husband, Edward Cole, Sr., an Army Veteran and volunteer VA Ambassador. After Ed joined the effort, the network of care spiraled out, pulling in staff from Occupational Therapy, the Veterans Experience Office, Pharmacy, Blind Rehabilitation Center, Patient Advocates, Prosthetics, and the Homeless Veteran HUD-VASH team, each helping restore the Veteran’s safety, dignity, and stability. 

The HUD-VASH team ensured the Veteran wouldn’t leave the VA without a plan for safe and stable housing, wrapping him in resources for the days ahead. And the Blind Rehab team replaced all his adaptive equipment. 

“When Julie and Ed Cole came to Blind Rehab, our team felt moved to step forward and support this Veteran during such a difficult time,” said Kim Hitt, who leads VA Augusta’s Blind Rehab team. “My outpatient team will be replacing his low-vision devices, a computer for accessibility, a video magnifier, a talking watch, just to name a few.”

Within hours, a man who had arrived with nothing left found himself surrounded by care, solutions, and support from every angle. 

“I’ve been a nurse for 28 years, and I have never been so touched by a team,” said Julie. “This is why I work at the VA, because when a Veteran is in need, we come together and make a difference.”

 

*Special thanks to: Alvin Hamilton (Prosthetics), Rebecca Aguayo (OT Therapist), Dr. Garrett Matthews Pharmacist, Dr. Sean Singletary (Pharmacist), Chris Walters (Patient volunteers experience), Colleen Myrie LSW (Homeless program), Michael Carey, John Steed (VEO), Jennifer Blanchard (Pharmacy), Stephanie Baer (Infection Control), Kimberly Hitt (BRC), Melissa Armstrong (Prosthetics).