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Stories

Read about what's happening in our Columbia VA Health Care System community.

  • Imagine walking into your VA medical center and receiving screenings and treatments designed just for you. For example, your health care provider knows that you have a gene variant indicating a higher risk for heart disease, so the provider takes extra measures to monitor your blood pressure.

    Foreground: Black Woman smiling Background: Light Gray White text reading "The future of medicine is in your genes" set atop a magenta polygon

  • In 1977, ‘Star Wars’ & ‘Saturday Night Fever’ opened in theaters. The first Apple II & Commodore PET computers went on sale. In August 1977, Elvis died at age 42, Tom Brady was born and Ruth Mustard, fresh from college with her nursing degree, started working at the Columbia Veterans Hospital.

    Dr. Ruth Mustard, Associate Director for Patient Care and Nursing Services, was honored at a celebration marking her 45-plus years of serving Veterans at the Columbia Veterans Affairs Health Care System. (VA photo by Scott Perez)

  • Dr. Rodney Reid was born in 1961, in the segregated town of Salisbury, North Carolina, to Dr. Albert Reid and Catherine Shuford Reid, who he credits greatly with his successes in life.

    Dr. Rodney Reid smiles while posing in front of diplomas

  • Obesity is a growing health concern across the nation, with an estimated 78 percent of Veterans struggling with being overweight or obese.

    On the left is Annette in July 2021. On the right is Annette one year later in July 2022, after losing 120 lbs.

  • Effective July 16, Veterans have the option to Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with caring, qualified responders for 24/7 crisis support.

    988 VCL Change

  • Columbia, SC — The Columbia VA Health Care System’s (CVAHCS) team of medical professionals in their Women’s Health Program, aim to ensure every female Veteran who receives care at CVAHCS feels empowered, comfortable, and treated with dignity.

    Doctor poses with two nurses.

  • The holiday season, despite being the most wonderful time of the year, can also be the most stressful time of the year for many. This sentiment especially rings true for those in need of food, clothing, and gifts this time of year.

    Members of nonprofit charitable organization Soldiers’ Angels, help to assemble food baskets at the Dorn VA Medical Center, Dec. 13, in preparation of distributing the baskets to local veterans in need.

  • Kristina Tanfara, a Lexington High School senior, donated 276 t-shirts and two dozen pairs of socks to the Columbia VA Health Care System (CVAHCS), Dec. 21.

    Kristina Tanfara, a senior at Lexington High School poses for a photo with her father, Anthony Tanfara, at the Columbia VA Dorn Medical Clinic. Tanfara started a community project called Vetees in November, and through that effort she donated 276 t-shirts and two dozen pairs of socks to the Columbia VA Health Care System, Dec. 21.

  • The Columbia VA Health Care System (CVAHCS) hosted a drive-thru Thanksgiving meal pickup, Saturday, Nov. 20.

    Thanksgiving Meals

  • “I’m just a nobody, who knows everybody,” says Carey Bolt, a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class, and the Laurens County, South Carolina Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

    Carey Bolt, Laurens County Veterans Service Officer, poses for a photo in the Laurens County Courthouse Hall of Heroes.