Director's Message February 10, 2023

This was our local effort to participate in the 45th National Salute to Veteran Patients; a tradition that VAPIHCS is proud to honor.

Each of us who are privileged to live in this country have a special place in our hearts for those defenders of freedom who have worn the cloth of our Nation. That is why VAPIHCS takes time during the week of Valentine’s Day -or the week just before Valentine’s Day- to encourage our community to express affection and respect for those we admire; our veterans receiving in-patient care.

Out of appreciation and reverence, we salute these men and women who have paid and continue to pay the price of freedom. During this National Salute to Hospitalized Veteran Patients, many American citizens visit veterans to thank them for what they have done for our country in the past, and to support them in the challenges they face today. We continue to encourage virtual visits or sending cards for patients, in addition to small in-person gatherings like the one we held this week. Honoring these men and women is so important, even if we are still being cautious of the dangers of COVID-19 and flu in our community. On that note, a great way to honor our men and women veterans who are hospitalized is stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot. Vaccines are proven to reduce the spread of diseases which can harm our most vulnerable patients.

I served for 30 years in the US Navy, and I am proud to work now to care for veterans like myself. We here at VAPIHCS work very hard to provide safe, compassionate, quality care to veterans as they age. We provide that care right up until the end, which is why the National Salute to Veteran Patients is so important. There are no words that can adequately express what their sacrifices have meant to the Nation. But we can take time to express our personal thanks and appreciation to them each year during this National Salute to Veteran Patients, and we can make sure that we treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve in times of difficult health struggles.

Right now, a new generation of soldiers is out there defending our country and protecting each of us. When their watch ends, we’ll be here to care for them as well. VAPIHCS is committed to providing care -and expanding care- for veterans now, and those to come. No matter what else might change, trust that we will be here providing world-class health care in the most state-of-the-art facilities possible, to every veteran now and into the future.

PACT Act and Vaccines events

This week we had a very successful PACT Act Community Call in Saipan on February 8, 2023, and February 9, 2023. I want to thank the VA teams from Oahu and Guam for going out and making this event possible to bring needed services to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). At the event, we had benefits counselors there to discuss PACT Act registration and help Veterans file claims. However, we also offered vaccines and health screenings. This was part of an ongoing effort to deliver the highest quality of care to every veteran in the Pacific Islands. VAPIHCS remains committed to serving every community, and to ensure that we don’t hear the term “underserved veteran populations” on our watch.

Continuing with this effort, we would like to announce the next VAPIHCS Pact Act Community Call, which will take place on March 30, 2023, and March 31, 2023. The event will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place at the Kauai Veterans Center at 3215 Kauai Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lihue HI 96766. This Community Call isn’t just for newly eligible Veterans. Veterans who are already enrolled can come for vaccines, diabetic foot checks, health screenings, blood pressure checks, or benefits questions. Veteran outreach is an important part of our mission, and we will continue to conduct outreach in every way that we can.

Veteran Engagement Sessions

Another important event that happened this week was the Veteran Engagement Sessions (VES) put on by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RACGWVI).

The focus of the engagement sessions was to listen to Gulf War Veterans share their stories concerning Gulf War Illnesses and to ask Gulf War Veterans for their input on several Gulf War Illness related questions. Moderators asked things like: What health problems concern you most about the 1990 to 1991 Gulf War? What treatments have helped you manage your Gulf War health problems? What aspect of your Gulf War Illness most affects your quality of life? What helps you most to manage these interferences? If you could tell the VA Secretary one thing about being a Gulf War Veteran with Gulf War Illness, what would it be?

Veterans were responsive and glad to have a forum to share their thoughts. However, there were undoubtedly Veterans in our community that were unable to attend these sessions, as they were held on weekdays during work hours. For anyone who was not able to participate, you are still able to share your thoughts. RACGWVI is a Congressionally mandated committee under the VA Federal Advisory Committee Act. It meets several times each year to provide advice and make recommendations to the VA Secretary on proposed research studies, plans, and strategies related to understanding and treating the health consequences of military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the 1990 to 1991 Gulf War. All RACGWVI Veteran Engagement Session meetings are open to veterans and their family members, physicians, scientists, and members of the general public. If you’d like to attend a future session or speak to someone from the committee, visit their website.

Heart Health Month

February is Heart Health Month. As a physician myself, I know how serious high blood pressure and heart disease are. It’s particularly tragic because there are so many simple things you can do to improve your heart health. Here is a small list of things you can try to help yourself live a long and heart-healthy life.

• Make yourself a heart-healthy snack like apple slices and almonds.
• Call to schedule your annual physical and talk to your doctor about your heart health goals.
• Stand up from your desk and do one minute of squats after a meeting today.
• Choose a day to go salt-free. Substitute herbs for salt when possible.
• Work towards your goal of quitting smoking with our help.
• Get your blood pressure checked and start keeping track of it.
• Take a 15-minute walk.
• Reduce stress by trying one of our classes in yoga or Tai chi.
• If you’re physically able, give the elevator a day off and take the stairs.
• Add a stretch break to your workday and take five minutes to stretch.
• Eat vegetarian for a day.
• Have a dance break for 15 minutes to your favorite music.
• Fill half your lunch and dinner plates with vegetables.
• Call a relative and ask about your family history regarding heart disease.
• Head to bed with enough time to get a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep.

These are just some basic ideas to help you on your way to heart health. You can learn more about healthy living by checking out our Whole Health program, or by talking with your doctor about the best lifestyle changes for you.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

Considered unable to handle the intricacies of modern weaponry, Black soldiers, for the better part of the 1940s and before, were relegated only to support roles in the US military. The idea of flying and operating fighter planes was entirely out of the question. But in response to the BlackPess, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and his wife, President Harry Truman allowed the “Civilian Pilot Training Program” to be opened to black students.

In December of 1940, funds were appropriated to what was then called the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to train black airmen. However, they called the effort to train these men an “experiment.”

Regardless, in these black airmen's minds, WWII allowed them to prove their worth and equality with others during those times. Comprised of several different all-black squadrons, what emerged was the 332nd fighter group, known to history as the Tuskegee Airmen.

The 332nd served as air escorts for bombers, and their reputation for discipline and effective fighter escorts grew. They successfully flew mission after mission, and by the end of the war, the 332nd fighter group received 744 air medals, 150 distinguished flying crosses, 14 bronze starts, and one silver star. They were widely considered a remarkable success, plainly demonstrating their equality, and inspired revolutionary reform in the armed forces.

In 1948, by order of President Truman, the Armed Forces of the United States officially ordered an end to segregation in the military. This executive order would be an important step for influencing the rest of the country to do likewise one day. The Tuskegee Airmen exemplified the meaning of “playing the cards that you’ve been dealt.”

In card games, you can’t return the cards the dealer has dealt you. You can’t ask for another hand; you must play your hand of cards. Like the Tuskegee Airmen, although our life circumstance may not be perfect, we can choose to make the best of the set of circumstances that we find ourselves in. 

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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