Eastern Oklahoma VA celebrates National Salute to Veteran Patients Week
The Center for Development and Civil Engagement (CDCE) is on a mission to enhance the Veteran Patient experience at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System.
The department, formerly known as Voluntary Service, manages the VA Volunteer Program and all donations received for the health care system. In addition, they also host many special events for Veterans throughout the year.
Most recently, they facilitated National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, which was observed Feb. 13-19. National Salute coincides with Valentine’s Day, a time which many Veterans are hospitalized and receiving the medical care they earned.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges in recent times, causing the cancellation of beloved National Salute events, such as inviting the public to participate in activities held at VA medical centers.
However, the service didn’t let the pandemic stop them from celebrating our nation’s heroes. With the help of local organizations and members of the community, CDCE staff planned events for our Veterans to remind them of how much they are loved and respected at VA.
To kick off the week, they encouraged Veterans to get creative by hosting the first Inpatient Art Contest.
Then on Feb. 16, along with executive leadership, CDCE distributed Valentine’s Day cards, gift bags and comfort items to inpatient Veterans, during which time interim health system director Paul Gregory presented art contest winners from each floor with a trophy.
Willis Nestlerode, Navy Veteran, was first to be awarded a trophy and gifted items. He appreciated it all very much.
“It is great to be recognized for something so simple,” said Nestlerode. “It was good recreation for me. You know, I requested to come here as soon as I could. I wanted to be at the VA because it is the best care you can get.”
The service also hosted tables in the main lobbies of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center and the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic to pass out cupcakes, National Salute pins and other goodies in appreciation of our Outpatient Veterans on multiple days.
To close out the week, CDCE arranged for Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman to address and thank Inpatient Veterans using livestream broadcast to inpatient rooms.
Candice Jordan, chief of CDCE, has worked for VA for many years, but is new to her position. This was her first year to plan the event.
“I could not be prouder of our health care system staff,” said Jordan. “We received an overwhelming amount of support to celebrate our Veteran Patients and the positive feedback has been wonderful. In addition to the week’s activities, hundreds of Valentine’s Day cards came in from the community, which we have given to inpatient and outpatient Veterans daily.
She went on to say, “It has been our honor to host this year’s National Salute to Veteran Patients event. Thank you to all who made it special! We look forward to collaborating with staff and community partners to plan an even more robust week of events next year.”