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

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center will soon be implementing a telestroke program that will provide neurology coverage for patients suspected of experiencing strokes outside of regular operating hours and during an emergency.

(Left to Right) Stroke Program Director Dr. Shelly Ozark and Stroke Program Coordinator Elizabeth Aprile test a new telestroke monitor. Photo by James Arrowood.

As is the annual tradition, the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) PatriotStore at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is now sporting festive decorations and its shelves are stacked high with gifts – just waiting to bring joy to someone special this holiday season.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center sponsored the annual Charleston Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 4. The parade began with remarks from Charleston’s mayor, John Tecklenburg, who highlighted the significance of the Veteran community in Charleston and the importance of celebrating our Veterans.

A crowd watches the choir from Laing Middle School sing the National Anthem at the 2018 Charleston Veterans Day Parade. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center sponsored the annual event held on Nov. 4 this year.

The second annual VISN7 Research Symposium hosted by Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC on Nov. 1 brought together approximately 80 investigators and senior leaders to collaborate on ways to move evidence-based treatments quickly from the bench to the bedside.

VA Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks Dr. Carolyn Clancy addresses the second annual VISN7 Research Symposium. During her presentation, Dr. Clancy praised the event as a

There are many Veterans with a unique and colorful story that come through the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center each day, but not many can top the effervescent charm of Al “Hollywood” Meggett, the Grand Marshal for the 2018 Charleston Veterans Day Parade.

Al

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dana Elkins and her family pose at her son's graduation. Elkins is currently battling Breast Cancer while working as a Physical Therapist Assistant at the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic.

Opening up about challenges you’re facing in life can be difficult. One of the tools in mental health recovery that is being used both inside and outside of VA are peer support specialists—someone with a mental health disorder who is actively engaged in his/her own recovery.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, along with community partners Palmetto Goodwill and Palmetto Warrior Connection, will host the 19th Annual Stand Down Against Veteran Homelessness this Friday, Oct. 19 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Dozens of VA services, including Charleston VA Medical Center’s Suicide Prevention Program, will be available to offer support to homeless or at-risk Veterans at the 2018 Stand Down Against Veteran Homeless on Oct. 19.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Community Care team has a simple, but complex, goal - to let no one fall through the cracks.

For the sixth year, members of Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s Diversity Committee and other staff celebrated the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by participating in Charleston’s annual Pride Parade on Sept. 22.