Whole Health
Discover What Matters to You with Whole Health at the Birmingham VA Health Care System. Whole Health is a cutting-edge approach to care that supports your health and well-being. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means your healthcare team will get to know you as a person before working with you to develop a personalized health care plan based on your values, needs, and goals.
Discovering Your Mission, Aspiration, & Purpose (MAP)
- What really matters to you in your life?
- What do you want your health for?
- What brings you a sense of joy and happiness?
- What is your vision of your best possible health?
Introduction to Whole Health
During the Introduction to Whole Health class, Veterans learn more about the Whole Health approach to care, the concepts behind Whole Health living, and complete a Personal Health Inventory.
You can download the complete Personal Health Inventory before you even step into the classroom! Scroll to the bottom of this page to view and download the Personal Health Inventory document.
Taking Charge of My Life and Health
Participants in the Introduction to Whole Health session are encouraged to join a 9-week Taking Charge of My Life and Health group course. This multi-week session provides an opportunity for more self-exploration, self-care, and goal creation around what really matters to the Veteran. Through these Whole Health offerings, Veterans explore their new missions, delve into each aspect of the Whole Health circle, and begin to create an overarching personal health plan.
Whole Health Coaching Process
Health and Wellness Coaches work with Veterans one-on-one and in group settings to empower the Veteran to develop and achieve self-determined goals related to health and wellness. Health and Wellness Coaches support Veterans in a variety of ways including:
- Mobilizing internal strengths, external resources and developing self-management strategies for making sustainable, healthy lifestyle, behavior changes
- Achieving health and behavioral goals, while collaborating with the Veteran's healthcare team
- Using their insight, personal strengths and resources, goal setting, action steps, and accountability toward Whole Health changes
Coaching Process
Stage 1: Veteran and Health and Wellness Coach explore your Mission, Aspiration, & Purpose (MAP). They create vision and explore values and conflicts.
Stage 2: Veteran and Health and Wellness Coach reflect, assess and focus on what really matters in Veteran’s life. They will conduct PHI, define the Veteran's Health Focus, and assess Veteran’s readiness.
Stage 3: Veteran and Health and Wellness Coach make plan for action as part of a Personal Health Plan (PHP). They set goals and actions, explore barriers to achieving goals, and determine training, support, and accountability.
Stage 4: Veteran and Health and Wellness Coach execute plan and the Veteran takes action to achieve goals. Veteran learns lessons and works with Health and Wellness Coach to assess actions and replan.
The Veteran and Health and Wellness Coach will sign an agreement before starting the process, outlining the steps both will take to ensure the best chance of accomplishing the Veteran's Whole Health goals.
Well-Being Programs and Resources
Participating in fun and rewarding activities is one aspect of the Whole Health model, which encourages optimizing your well-being by capitalizing on your strengths and values. Learn more about Whole Health here.
MOVE Weight Management
The best way to manage your weight is to eat smart and be physically active. MOVE! is a national weight management program that helps Veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health. MOVE! is a comprehensive lifestyle intervention that focuses on health and wellness through nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change.
Contact Kimberly Chism, Weight Management Program Coordinator, to learn more.
Active Movement Classes
The Birmingham VA Health Care System offers several Whole Health related active in-person and virtual movement classes which provide many health benefits. Yoga, tai chi, strength and conditioning, and other exercise classes are available for Veterans.
Contact Kevin Vereen Tai Chi Instructor, to learn more.
Creative Arts
Research supports the effectiveness of creative arts therapies interventions in many areas, including overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement. Creative arts therapies further help patients to increase motivation to become engaged in treatment, provide emotional support for Veterans and their families, and create an outlet for expression of feelings.
Click here to view the Creative Arts therapy class schedule.
Contact Dr. Kroshona Tabb, Chief of Whole Health, to learn more.
Meet the Birmingham VA Whole Health Team
Scywanda Cole MSN, RN
Employee Whole Health Coordinator
VA Birmingham health care
Email: Scywanda.Cole@va.gov
