GCVHCS Observes Women's History Month With Virtual Presentation

The GCVHCS Women's History Month observance - an internal panel-led forum centered around challenges women Veterans face and methods through which GCVHCS employees could impact change to more effectively serve organizational beneficiaries - augmented the VA's dedication to the nationally-recognized Women's History Month.

"Women are expected to do it all and we tend to spend more time taking care of others than we do ourselves," said GCVHCS Psychologist Kimberly Tartt-Godbolt, a GCVHCS Women's History Month observance presenter. "Using stress reduction techniques can help you achieve a balance in your life."

The hour-long program was highlighted by GCVHCS Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and organizational Federal Women's Program Chair Priscilla Walker announcing the selection of the organization's first-ever Inspiring Woman of the Month, a GCVHCS internal recognition for women employees who epitomize the VA's ICARE values - integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence. GCVHCS's Panama City Beach Community-Based Outpatient Clinic's (CBOC) Regina Bragiel, a registered nurse, was announced as the award's inaugural recipient.

According to GCVHCS Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager and Women's History Month observance presenter Tara Giammaresi, the forum provided information to those attending, but also served as a method of reinforcing numerous programs the organization offers.

"Our presentations were centered around employees, but so many of the concepts and ideas we discussed are relevant to our Veterans," she said. "Along with emphasizing the programs the GCVHCS offers to our employees so they can continue providing the highest quality care to Veterans, this observance was also an opportunity to share tools, resources, and information directly available to our patient population that can increase the health and well-being of both our male and female Veterans."

Giammaresi also discussed the GCVHCS Whole Health's Women Only Wednesdays (WOW!), an initiative designed to promote the Whole Health department's programs to the increasing woman Veteran population by designating every class offered on Wednesdays as open only to women Veterans.

GCVHCS Innovation Specialist and RN Sheena Strong stressed the importance of self-care during her presentation, highlighting practices which could benefit employees.

"Many women don't take the time for self-care," she said. "But taking care of oneself can reduce stress and anxiety, improve resiliency, have a positive impact on your own well-being and health which can all prove to improve patient care."

Strong added that GCVHCS participation in an Innovator's Network project - a relaxation area designed to provide a respite during the work day - is being developed for GCVHCS employees.

"The women employees presenting causes and issues important to our individual overall health and forward motion as an organization is always impressive," said GCVHCS Director Bryan C. Matthews. "These women along with the hundreds of other women in our health care system represent the leadership, compassion and caring nature we expect here on the Gulf Coast, and I'm honored to work alongside these great women not only during Women's History Month, but every day."

The Biloxi Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, along with the Mobile, Pensacola, Eglin and Panama City community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) are all part of the GCVHCS, which is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and provides a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 82,000 Veterans.