Director's Message February 14, 2025

Our team is here for you, providing the support and services you need when you need them. Your health, well-being, and access to quality care remain our top priorities. Thank you for your service and trust in VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.

We are honored to serve you. To make an appointment or learn more about our programs and services, call 1-800-214-1306 or visit www.va.gov.

Heart Disease Awareness

February is American Heart Month. Heart health might not be something that you think about every day. Our hearts are always beating in our chest, but we don’t always notice or think about how important they are. This month, I’d like to talk about ways that you can keep your heart healthy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease:

• Eat healthy: Get plenty of leafy greens and avoid too much red meat.
• Get active: Go for a walk after dinner. Join a gym. Take up a hobby like kayaking or hiking.
• Stay at a healthy weight: Ask your doctor for help if you are unsure of the best way to safely lose weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke: If you need help, please ask your doctor or utilize our smoking cessation program.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure: In some cases, you may need medication. Talk to your doctor about what you can do.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation: Remember that drinking often or drinking to excess can damage your body. Avoid alcohol when possible.
• Manage stress: At the VA, we practice Whole Health. Work with your health care team to determine what your goals are for your health, and what programs may help you to reach those goals.

Our goal here at VAPIHCS is to provide safe, compassionate, and quality care to all our Veterans. Heart health is a key part of health care, and so we hope you will all take some time to reflect on what you are doing to keep your heart healthy this month.

Upcoming Events

There will be a Recreation Therapy Event from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2025,at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic at 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave. Kapolei, HI 96707. Come learn about VAPIHCS Recreation Therapy and Art Therapy programs. Contact Recreation Therapist Micah Monzon for details at 808 458-5065.

We will have a Colon Cancer Awareness Information Fair from 8am to 1pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025; also at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei. Learn about colorectal health and about VAPIHCS services and program. For details, contact Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Manager Jenelle Duldulao at 808-433-0831.

Finally, there will be a PACT Act Community Call in Kauai from from 10am to 6pm, on  Friday, March 7, 2025, at 3215 Kauai Veterans Memorial Hwy Ste H, Lihue, HI 96766. Come for enrollment, vaccines, health screenings, questions and more. For questions, contact Outreach Coordinator Maurice Martin at maurice.martin@va.gov.

Closed for Presidents’ Day

Our clinics will be closed on February 15, 2025, and February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Presidents’ Day was originally designated to celebrate the birthday of our first President, George Washington.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

In one of Aesop’s Fables, a story is told of a quarrel between the North Wind and the Sun. Each claimed to be stronger than the other. As they argued, a traveler appeared on the road below, wrapped in a coat.
Seeing an opportunity to settle their dispute, they agreed on a challenge: whoever could make the traveler remove his coat would prove to be strongest.

“Very well,” said the North Wind, and at once, he unleashed a fierce, howling blast. But instead of removing his coat, the traveler only gripped it more tightly. The harder the Wind blew, the more tightly the traveler clung to his coat, bracing himself against the cold. The North Wind continued to blow angrily against the man to remove his coat, but all his efforts turned out to be in vain.

Then, the Sun took its turn. It began gently, warming the air with soft, golden rays. The traveler, feeling the pleasant change in temperature, loosened his grip. As the warmth increased, he unfastened his coat, letting it hang from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew stronger, and soon, the traveler removed his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow. Finally, overwhelmed by the heat, he took off his coat entirely and sought shelter under the shade of a tree.

What the Wind could not accomplish by its cold, bitter gust, the Sun accomplished simply with warmth.

Like the Wind and the Sun, we too, possess power; we all possess the power to influence others. Daily, our words and actions create an influence and leave lasting impressions upon others. We can inspire confidence or breed suspicion, encourage kindness or fuel bitterness. Our influence can help bring out the best in others or accomplish the very opposite. Gentleness may not be the loudest, and kindness may not appear to be the strongest, but it is often the most effective in inspiring others to live up to the best version of themselves.

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

Stay Informed

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