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Director's Message May 12, 2023

Dr. Adam Robinson, director VAPIHCS
By Adam M Robinson Jr, Director

VAPIHCS Veterans, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is always finding ways to serve Veterans better. As part of this effort, we will begin Saturday appointments at our Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) for primary care.

Appointments will be available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 1-800-214-1306 to get an appointment on Saturdays or on weekdays.

Maui Community Call

The PACT Act is a historical piece of legislation that has increased what VA can cover, and many Veterans who were turned away in the past may now be eligible for care. To help inform local communities, we’ve been holding PACT Act events where people can speak with benefits counselors and access some health services. Our latest event is going on today and tomorrow on the island of Maui. VA staff will be at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center at 275 West Ka’ahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Please come see us to discuss your eligibility, or just to check in with our health care team. We’d love to see you.

Research Week

From May 8, 2023, to May 19, 2023, VA is celebrating Research Week. The theme this year is “Cutting-Edge Care Through Research.” VA is nationally recognized as a leader in research, and I am proud that VAPIHCS participates in this tradition of scientific inquiry in the hopes of improving medicine for all who come after us. Every VA from Baltimore to San Francisco, and across the ocean in the Pacific Islands, is working toward a better future for Veterans. Research is an important part of that work.

There are four studies that VAPIHCS are actively recruiting for:

  • C-Path –Personalized treatment for PTSD using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Case formulation.
  • IMPACT – CSP 2002, Investigation of Metformin in Pre-Diabetes on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Outcomes (VA-IMPACT):  Determining if treatment with Metformin vs Placebo reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in patients with Prediabetes and Atherosclerosis.
  • NFB - Neurofeedback Impact on Chronic Headache, Sleep, and Attention Disorders Experienced by Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Neurofeedback)
  • MVP – Million Veteran Program:  A genomics study to learn more about genetic diseases, and the effect of genetics on health

For more information in reference to these studies, please contact the Research and Development office at (808) 433-7785.

Research week is a time to give thanks. I’d like to thank the people who volunteer to be a research subject, and I’d also like to thank the researchers themselves. Their dedication and creativity allow medical science to move forward, and I’m grateful every day for the work that they do. Every great medical advancement started out as an idea. To all who were part of taking those ideas and making them a reality, we give thanks.

Military Appreciation Month

The month of May is designated as “military appreciation month.” It is traditionally celebrated by thanking active-duty military and Veterans for their service. To me, being in the military was something I did because I wanted to serve my country. I didn’t do it because I wanted people to thank me or look up to me. I just knew that I could be of use, and I was proud to have the opportunity to serve.

Many of you probably feel similar. And yet, I do think it’s important to thank you. Being in the military means spending holidays away from family and friends. It means making sacrifices of mind, body, and spirit in service of a higher ideal. And though your sacrifices may have been made gladly, they are still worthy of recognition. That’s why this May, and every day, I want to say thank you for your service.

The VA 2K 2023

Every year starting on May 3rd, 2023, we set up collection boxes at clinic locations across VAPIHCS to gather donations for houseless Veterans. After two weeks of collecting donations, we provide them to those within our ranks who spend their days doing outreach with our most vulnerable Veterans.

Items most needed by houseless Veterans:

• New-in-package socks and under garments

• Hygiene items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, mouthwash, etc.

• Shelf-stable foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration (including single serving snacks, like jerky, trail mix, or protein bars)

• New clothing and bedding

• Feminine hygiene products

Our mission to care for Veterans takes so many forms. This is just one of the ways that VA continues to do outreach.

At the end of the collection period on May 17, 2023, each of our locations is encouraged to join with Veterans in their area and participate in a two kilometer (2K) walk. This walk is a chance to talk with Veterans, and to encourage everyone to live a healthier lifestyle and reduce preventable injuries and illnesses. Find out more about VA’s Whole Health approach to health care and discover new ways to support your health and wellbeing.

Mother’s Day

I admired my mother very much, and Mother’s Day is a special day because we get to recognize the people in our lives who fill those caregiver roles for children in our society. To all the women who take up that treasured and trusted role of caregiving for a child, I wish you a safe and happy Mother’s Day. 

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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Podcast: https://vapihcspao.podbean.com/