CBOCs new services save lives
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System has 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. In 2023, these clinics added more services so Veterans can get specialized care right at their local VA. One of these new services is cardiology.
The Twin Ports CBOC in Superior, Wis. has seen 577 new Veterans in cardiology since December 2023. The cardiology team is small but mighty! It includes Nurse Practitioner Mary Starkman, Register Nurse Kyle LaTour, and Advanced Medical Support Assistant Stacey Holmberg. They get some part-time help from Licensed Practical Nurse Kim Zimmer.
Having the cardiology team in our clinic makes them a valuable resource for doctors, staff, and caregivers. They can quickly answer heart-related questions and give advice without always needing a full consultation.
Before the cardiology services were available to the Veterans in the Duluth and Twin Ports area, Veterans saw providers through Community Care. This sometimes caused confusion, gaps in care, and communication issues, which could be risky for the Veterans' health.
Marine Veteran Robert (Bob) Cosmero, of Duluth, served from 1962 to 1963 and has struggled with high blood pressure for years. Before cardiology services were available at the Twin Ports CBOC, his doctors prescribed different medications, but his blood pressure kept rising, and his energy kept dropping. Frustrated that the medication wasn’t working, Bob suspected something was wrong and asked to see a specialist.
Luckily, Starkman and her team were there, and Bob got in to see her right away. Within three weeks, Bob had triple bypass surgery. “I think she [Starkman] saved my life,” Bob said. “The VA facility is extra, extra, extra good!”
After an exam and echocardiogram on another Veteran patient, Starkman discovered his condition was more serious than expected and that he needed a valve replacement. After his procedure, her patient came back to her and thanked her for saving his life.
“THAT is all I need to come to work every day!” Starkman said. “As a healthcare provider, I am fed by successful patient outcomes.”