Director's Message April 26, 2024

Many patients have already switched their care to our new clinic, which has a pharmacy and lab in addition to primary care, specialty care, imaging, women’s health, mental health services, and more. If you are a Veteran who would like to transfer your care, please call 1-800-214-1306. Remember that our new clinic also has an office for the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veteran Service Organizations, so you can also inquire about your claims.

Veteran Art Classes

VAPIHCS will be hosting painting classes for Veterans from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in the main lobby. These classes will be taught by professional artist and Marine Corps Veteran Peter Koutrouba. Painting - and art in general - has wonderful therapeutic qualities, and it can also be a fun way to relax and enjoy yourself. The classes are free, and Veterans who are interested may drop in on Wednesdays. At the end of the year, students are encouraged to submit their work to the national VA art competition.

Neurofeedback Study

VAPIHCS is hosting a scientific study into a therapy called Neurofeedback at our Honolulu station. This method of therapy has been linked to decreased headaches, improved sleep, improved attention and focus, and improved quality of life. If you are a Veteran who suffered a mild concussion while on active duty and who continues to suffer from headaches, insomnia, and difficulty paying attention, you may be eligible to participate. You will be asked to answer some simple questions, and if you qualify, we will ask you to come see us for 20 free, fun, relaxing sessions of neurofeedback three to five times per week. We will compensate you for your time. Contact Dr. Judy Carlson at 808-433-6677 if you would like to participate.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

On April 23, 2024, VAPIHCS held a luncheon at the Hale Koa Bibas Courtyard Grill to thank and recognize our volunteers. Over the past 60 years, VA volunteers have donated more than 689 million hours of service worth an estimated $12.9 billion.

Volunteer opportunities at VAPIHCS include driving for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), working with Veterans at the Community Living Center (CLC), working for the Compassionate Contact Corps (CCC), and volunteering to be a Red Coat Ambassador. Potential volunteers will go through an interview and screening, and then participate in training. If you know anyone who would like to volunteer with VAPIHCS, have them contact CDCE Chief Schoen Safotu at (808) 433-7725 or email at schoen.safotu@va.gov.

National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month, when we celebrate those who have made the choice to become organ, eye, and tissue donors. While some people donate a kidney or part of their liver to a friend or family member while they are alive, it is more common to register as an organ donor so that - once you no longer need your organs, eyes, and tissue - you can save the lives and quality of lives of many others.

If you are Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, or belong to another ethnic minority group, your decision to become an organ donor could increase the chances of someone from the same ethnic background finding a match. You could even save the lives of several people. Kidney donors and recipients are matched by blood group and tissue type, and people from the same ethnic background are more likely to having matching blood groups and tissue types. Organ donation will only proceed with the support of your family, and clinicians will never proceed with organ donation if your family or loved one’s object. No one is automatically added to the list, so if you think you might want to donate, talk with your doctor about what paperwork you will need to fill out. To make an appointment, call 1-800-214-1306.
 

One Team, One Ohana!
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE 
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
VADM, MC, USN, (RET)
36th Surgeon General, USN

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