Skip to Content

Stories

Read about what's happening in our VA Charleston health care community.

On Jan. 1, 2020, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center will join the rest of the Veterans Health Administration and implement a tobacco-free campus at its medical center, its community clinics and off-site locations.

James Robinson and Wilton Bowles attend a smoking cessation class at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC led by instruction Jamie Baker, NP. Photo by Michael Romeo.

Last week, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Director and CEO Scott Isaacks received the inaugural South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) Drive to Zero Harm Leadership Award.

Charleston VAMC Director and CEO Scott Isaacks (left) presents an ICARE award to Tamika Blount-Currie (center) along with Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Simon Scalia (right) at the monthly employee awards ceremony, one of the new initiatives at Charleston VAMC to recognize staff for going above and beyond to serve Veterans. Photo by James Arrowood.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10 bright, yellow, smiley face balloons lined the halls of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center leading to the hospital’s Main Auditorium for the first annual Cancer Expo and Celebration, a special event to honor Veteran cancer survivors.

Veterans enjoyed a putting competition sponsored by PGA Hope at the Cancer Expo and Celebration on Sept. 10. Photo by James Arrowood.

September is Suicide Prevention Month and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is holding several events to outreach to Veterans who may be struggling while also encouraging members of the community to check in on and be there for the Veterans in their lives.

A Veteran receives a free gun lock from a VA Police Officer during a Suicide Prevention Awareness event at Charleston VAMC on Sept. 9, 2019. Photo by Erin Curran.

Each year, generally in the months leading into the harsher winter season, VAs across the country hold dedicated Stand Down Against Veteran Homelessness events to outreach to Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and connect them with programs that can help.

A VA employee assists a Veteran with applying for housing benefits during a past Stand Down event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo by Meredith Hagen.

It’s hard to believe that we’re already well into what’s often the most volatile time of the year for many Southerners – the Atlantic hurricane season – which runs from June 1 through November 30.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Now is the time to be prepared and make an emergency plan.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Chief of Cardiology Michael Zile received VA’s highest award for research, the William S. Middleton Award.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Chief of Cardiology Michael Zile (left) received VA’s highest award for research, the William S. Middleton Award, earlier this month for outstanding contributions to biomedical research in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). (Photo by James Arrowood)

There are currently close to 600 community members who volunteer their time to help the more than 80,000 Veterans served by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, its six outlying clinics, three Veteran centers and the Beaufort National Cemetery.

As part of the annual Christmas in July program, The American Legion Post 166 Riders donated clothing, personal care items, backpacks, hygiene items and shoes totaling more than $2,400.

Chronic pain is an experience that many Veterans know all too well, and the devastating effects that it can introduce into a Veteran’s life can have drastic consequences.

U.S. Army Veteran Darryl Gadsden practices yoga as part of his alternative therapy treatments for pain management. (Photo by Erin Curran)

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center will soon join the rest of the Veterans Health Administration in implementation of a smoke-free campus at its medical center, its community outpatient clinics and off-site locations

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is soon joining the rest of the Veterans Health Administration in implementation of a smoke-free campus at its medical center, its community outpatient clinics and off-site locations.