Director's Message July 8, 2022

Veterans who have a smart phone will soon be able to scan a QR code when they arrive for their appointment and check in on their phone, allowing them  to avoid any long check-in lines.

This isn’t mandatory. We want our veterans to use this option  if they feel comfortable using it, but if they don’t, that face-to-face check-in option will always be there.

Veterans enrolled in our VEText  program will even be able to complete a pre check-in one week prior to appointments where they can review their demographic information. They will still have to check-in on the day of their appointment, but if they complete the pre-check-in, then the check-in process on the day will be faster.

This new check-in option will be available at all VAPIHCS sites in the future.

As of right now, this new option is available only for face-to-face care appointments and will not work if a veteran arrives more than 15 minutes late. This doesn’t mean that a veteran won’t be seen.  It just means they will need to check in at the counter if they are late.

VAPIHCS hopes this new check-in option will help reduce time spent waiting in line. In addition, not having to touch a counter or kiosk will help avoid transmission of viruses or bacteria that can live on surfaces. In this way, it will be a more hygienic and convenient option for those who decide to use it. This new option is not mandatory, and anyone who wants to check in for an appointment face-to-face will still have that option.

Veterans Crisis Line Number

Our veterans’ mental health is of paramount importance to the VA, and many of you are already familiar with the Veterans Crisis Line number: 1-800-273-8255, and then press 1, or text 838255. In July, we will be asking people to call 988 and then press 1 to provide easier access to much needed support. This new number is in response to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. After the activation of the 988 number, Veterans will still be able to call the original number.

July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Awareness Month

Here in Hawaii, we’re lucky enough to get a lot of sunshine all year long. However, sun exposure does pose a risk to our health if we don’t take the right precautions. July is UV Safety Awareness month, and it’s a good time to talk about steps you can take to protect yourself from UV exposure.

First, remember to cover up! Long-sleeve shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses can all help prevent damage from UV rays. Second, remember to choose a reef-safe sunscreen that is rated SPF 15 or higher. Recent studies suggest that it may be better to use a barrier sunscreen than a chemical sunscreen. Finally, stay in the shade whenever you can. Even with sunscreen and protective clothing, prolonged exposure to UV rays is still harmful. It’s wonderful to get out and enjoy the sunshine!  Doing it safely will help you maintain your health.

Herbal and Prescription Interaction Awareness Month

July is also National Herbal and Prescription Drug Interaction Month. There is a common misconception that just because something is natural, that makes it completely safe to take. This is often the case when it comes to people taking certain dietary supplements that are made with all-natural ingredients. The truth is that most of these natural formulations can interact with certain prescription medication. For instance, herbal supplements with cranberry extract as the primary active ingredient are known to interact with blood thinning medications, and so taking the two together should be avoided. The public health and awareness campaign was created for this specific reason so people taking medication will take the necessary precaution to avoid adverse effects from taking natural supplements. Make sure to give your doctor a complete list of medications that you take -including supplements- during your next visit to help ensure your safety.

Thoughts From Chaplain Richie Charles

In the middle of a beautiful city stood a museum laid with beautiful marble tiles and a huge marble statue. Many from all over the world visited the museum each day to admire the beautifully crafted statue. But one night, after the museum was closed, the marble tiles had a candid conversation with the statue.

The marble floor began to complain that tourists were so enamored by the statue, but only ignored and stepped on the marble floors. The marble statue responded “don’t you remember that we were both at one point just slabs of marble from the same cave? But when the sculptor came, he tried working on both of us with his tools, but you resisted. Each time he tried to carve something out of you with his pick and hammer, you kept telling him to stop. The sculptor was trying to mold you into a statue like me, but you were not willing to be molded according to his plan. Eventually, the sculptor saw fit only to smoothen you out. And as a flat, smooth surface, the only way he saw fit to use you was as tile flooring in the museum.”

This fictional tale highlights the importance of being willing to be molded. In our life experiences, challenges and problems can be like chisels and hammers. Although painful to experience in the moment, they have the potential to shape new things in us and carve out different possibilities for growth in our character. But growth doesn’t happen simply by virtue of experiencing a challenging event. Rather, growth occurs by choice. Every new challenge leaves us with the option to either learn from that experience and make needed changes or resist the lessons that we could have gleaned. The possibility for either lies in our hands.

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