Director's Message June 3, 2022
VAPIHCS Veterans, Every June, VA and the rest of the nation come together to observe Pride Month. We are proud to celebrate the many invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community throughout our nation’s rich history.
This is a special time of year: a month of hope. A month of joy. A month of pride. VA’s theme for Pride Month 2022 is “Strength in Diversity Equals Stronger Together.” That captures it, doesn’t it? Individual differences do not divide us. On the contrary, they make us better. They make us stronger. We learn from one another, and grow, as individuals and as a nation. That is the very essence of our great country and our VAPIHCS motto: One Team, One Ohana!
There are about one million lesbian, gay, and bisexual Veterans in the United States. We thank each one of them — and everyone who has donned the uniform — for their service and sacrifice. Thank you for what you have done, and for what you continue to do.
VA Research: Neurofeedback study
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is looking for Veterans who would like to volunteer to participate in out neurofeedback study. This study is for veterans who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and have difficulties like insomnia and headaches as a result. Neurofeedback could help alleviate your symptoms. To learn more, contact Judy Carlson via phone: (808) 433-6677 or by email: judy.carlson@va.gov
Geriatric Care Lecture by Dr. Epure at the Oahu Veterans Center
On May 28, 2022, Dr. James P. Epure presented at the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) meeting at the Oahu Veterans Center in Honolulu. At least 30 veterans were present to listen and ask questions. This type of VAPIHCS outreach is designed to inform and educate veterans about the care that they can get at VA. This care includes things like Home-Based Primary Care, the Medical Foster Home Program, and even Hospice Care. To learn more about VA care options, call 1-800-214-1306.
Women Veterans Summit
On June 11, 2022, there will be a Virtual Women’s Summit. This is a wonderful chance for women Veterans to learn about resources available to them, meet other women Veterans, and discuss issues that matter to them. If you would like to attend, please click the link to register in advance.
June Whole Health
June’s Whole Health theme is: Better Surroundings Improve Health and Happiness. Safe, stable, and comfortable surroundings have a positive effect on your health. Surroundings include where we live, work, learn, play, and worship—both indoors and out. Do your surroundings make you feel anxious or uneasy? Are you safe at home, work, and school and in your neighborhood? People who pay attention to their surroundings have a better chance at being healthier and happier. Learn about how surroundings impact your health and how you can make improvements.
Warrior to Soulmate Training
Chaplain Richie Charles will be hosting a class called “Warrior to Soulmate” from June 30, 2022 to July 7, 2022. This class will be for Veterans and their spouses, and it seeks to help couples communicate and strengthen relationships. If you’d like to RSVP for the class, please contact the Chaplain at 808-913-4479 or Richie.Charles@va.gov
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
Stretching across 107 acres of Utah’s Fishlake National Forest is one of the world’s largest organisms: a forest of about 47,000 quaking aspen trees, simply referred to as “Pando”. But what many find especially surprising about Pando lies well beneath the surface.
Although Pando consists of 47,000 trees, these trees are all believed to really be one massive tree, originating from just a single seed! This single tree has been able to extend itself by its underground root system that continues to send up new shoots, which only on the surface, appear to be separate, individual trees. But beneath all these trees simply lay one root system. Thus, what seems like 47,000, is only one.
However, there is another living marvel that we can find in nature, and that marvel is humans. We humans are all diverse in many ways, with cultural backgrounds that span the globe. On the surface, we too, are vastly different people who only share commonalities with those who look and believe like us. But those factors that make us different– whether they be race, cultural heritage, or languages, are differences that lay only on the surface. Like Pando, when we dig deeper, despite our surface differences, we are all human, and share in experiences that are universal. There may indeed be many cultures, but there is only a single human race.
When we focus on the deep ties that link us together, we can be better positioned to understand each other, validate each other’s feelings, respect each other’s opinions, and be a shoulder for another’s grief. We can do this because in the end, we know what it’s like to need the very same treatment had the roles been reversed, and their shoes been on our feet.
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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