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Stories

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

Ralph H. Johnson Diabetes Education Service Merits

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Diabetes Self-Management Education Service (DSMES) located at the main hospital in downtown Charleston has been awarded continued Recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Diabetes Educator Cheryl Pratt instructs Veteran Dewayne Patterson how to use of his insulin pump. Photo by James Arrowood.

Feeding Others Feeds Her Soul

When Margaret Bradbury, Chief of Nutrition & Food Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, opened the facility’s Veteran Food Pantry in December 2017 she hoped to make a difference for nutritionally-challenged patients by providing healthy foods for those in need.

Margaret Bradbury, Chief of Nutrition & Food Service inspecting canned food items for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Veteran Food Pantry.

Fisher House celebrates second anniversary

On Friday, Jan. 10, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Fisher House celebrated the second anniversary of checking-in its first guest back in 2018.

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Updating facilities to accommodate growth

In Fiscal Year 2019, The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center served just under 80,000 unique patients, including more than 10,000 female Veterans.

The renovation and expansion of the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC Intensive Care Unit (ICU) increased the size of the patient rooms and updated to state-of-the-art technology. Photo by Michael Romeo.

Fisher House: a home for the holidays

A special visitor, courtesy of the Charleston Police Department, dropped by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Fisher House on Dec. 18 with a motorcycle for a sleigh and squad cars full of gifts. It was Santa Claus himself!

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the City of Charleston Police Department stand with Fisher House families during a special donation for Veterans.

Helping Veterans find employment

How do Veterans who have been unemployed get back into the workforce? The VA has a program called Compensated Work Therapy (CWT), which is designed to help Veterans develop skills and gain experience to become fully employed.

Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) staff at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center help connect Veterans with employment. Photo by James Arrowood.

A photo to remember: making a house a home

On Saturday, Nov. 2, nine Veterans went to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center to have their portrait taken

Charleston VAMC employee Desralei Jackson helps install a portrait photo with Douglas Barker on the wall of his new apartment.

The myths and benefits of yoga

“I'm not flexible enough for yoga.” “I'm too old or injured.”

Free yoga class for Veterans at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

A nurse’s message about breast cancer

I am not the likely candidate for cancer.

Celebrating Peer Support Specialists

Last week on Oct. 17, we celebrated Global Peer Support Celebration Day.

Anthony Hedges recently joined the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC as a Peer Support Specialist. Photo by James Arrowood.