Stories
Read about what's happening in our Miami VA Healthcare System community.
The Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center's Post-Deployment Clinic has officially reopened after 4.5 years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Post Deployment staff](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-10/PDC.jpg)
The Miami VA Healthcare System recently opened an Employee Wellness Room—a serene, dedicated space designed to support staff in taking their 15-minute breaks to recharge, de-stress, and enhance their mental well-being.
![Miami VA Healthcare System Whole Health Staff](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-10/wh4.png)
VA is implementing a new, modernized appointment scheduling system to better deliver the SOONEST and BEST CARE to Veterans.
![Integrated Scheduling System graphic](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-10/V08_ISS_WebStory_Graphic.png)
The Miami VA Healthcare System hosted a successful 2024 Suicide Prevention Mental Health Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the William "Bill" Kling Clinic, bringing together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and VA experts to address mental health and suicide prevention for Veterans.
![Hillary P. Peabody, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Integrated Veteran Care, addresses attendees](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-10/DSC_2064_0.jpg)
On Sept. 4, 2024, the Miami VA Healthcare System hosted a commissioning ceremony for Dr. Irina Zuyeva, a staff psychologist who was appointed as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Dr. Samara Martinez is no stranger to military culture and what it means to serve. Born at Darnall Army Hospital at Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, her family’s military lineage dating back to World War II shaped her passion for the work she does today.
![VISN 8 Clinical Resource Hub provider, Dr. Samara Martinez, completing an appointment remotely using Clinical Video Telehealth from her home in Texas.](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-07/20240718_Original.png)
Draped in neon orange fleece, the assembly of Veterans and coaches who comprise the Miami VA Healthcare System’s adaptive sports team is hard to miss, but it’s not just their clothing that unites them.
![Miami VA Healthcare System Adaptive Sports Team](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2024-05/Miami%20VA%20Adaptive%20Sports%20Team.jpg)
The need for health care doesn’t stop just because it’s 5:00 p.m., the weekend, or a holiday. In fact, the busiest time for both urgent care clinics and emergency rooms is early afternoon and evening hours.
![VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center hired two nocturnists, or physicians who work overnight, to truly become the 24/7/365 virtual urgent care service leaders aspired it to be.](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2023-09/CCC%20Pound%20Graphic.png)
Going into your junior or senior year of high school? You are encouraged to apply for our 2022 Summer Student Volunteer Program! Learn about health care, serve your community and work with our Veterans to help them get the services they earned.
![summer student volunteer ad 2022](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-05/summerstudentadedit.jpg)
In 1921, Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for Physics, Charlie Chaplin directed his first film, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated, and future Army World War II Veteran Rachel Torres was born.
![World War II Vetearn Rachel Torres celebrates her 101st birthday with her husband, John.](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-05/101a.jpg)