North Florida/South Georgia VHS Supports Bay Pines VHS in wake of Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida’s Gulf Coast Oct. 10, which is home to two Veterans Health Systems, Bay Pines and Tampa.
Due to the projected landfall, a longstanding partnership between Bay Pines and NF/SGVHS was implemented in an effort to provide continuity of care for 55 Veterans of Bay Pines VHS.
Days before the impending landfall of Hurricane Milton, service leaders and emergency planning teams convened to initiate the transfer of 10 Bay Pines Veterans into respite care at Lake City and Malcom Randall Community Living Centers. An additional 55 Veterans and Bay Pines nursing staff were also transported to the CLC’s at NF/SGVHS providing continued care to those most in need.
The ability to execute this type of process requires a total team effort and the Bay Pines and NF/SGVHS team came together to ensure Veterans not only received the health care they required, but also for their safety from the impending storm.
The consolidated efforts of emergency management, facility management, environmental management, VA Police, information technology, transportation service, physicians, and nursing staff resulted in seamless care for Veterans throughout the entirety of the storm. NF/SGVHS teams continued that care for more than five days after Hurricane Milton passed through central Florida. A testament to the dedication and excellence VA strives to provide to all Veterans.
As a result of the extraordinary efforts, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Hon. Denis McDonough, paid a visit to NF/SGVHS Oct. 18 to express his appreciation and gratitude for all of the VA employees that contributed to the care of so many Veterans.
“These Veterans that work for the VA, I‘m so proud of them,” said McDonough. “Proud of you continuing to offer world class care to Veterans even as you’re struggling with the impacts of these storms on your families, on your homes.”
Secretary McDonough reassured Veterans and staff that if they require additional assistance or support as a result of any of the past storms, whether that be Hurricane Debby, Helene, or Milton, the VA will provide.
For more information on the North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System, please visit VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs.