Director's Message May 20, 2022

There are voices within our nation that strive to tear us apart, and we must not give in to thinking that divides us or that teaches us to make enemies of each other. It has been said that a house divided cannot stand, and it is true that when we do not work together, we all suffer as a result.

Sometimes, it feels like we have been tried again and again.  The United States just reached one million deaths from COVID-19. We’ve seen unrest, and we’ve struggled with issues of supply and demand for food, medicine, and protective equipment. I believe this Nation is stronger than any trial that we may face. When we are united, I believe we can stand against anything. I challenge all of you to stand with me in this belief, and to strive to overcome the events and the voices that want to hold us back. Let’s work together in partnership to make this Nation a place where all men and women can be proud to call home.

Veterans Crisis Line Number

It’s Mental Health Month every May, 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 adding the option of calling 988, and then press 1. After the activation of the 988 number, Veterans will still be able to call the original number. This new number is in response to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020.

Get Antivirals From VA

Many veterans are taking COVID-19 tests at home and testing positive. Please don’t wait until you are really sick to reach out! Call your doctor as soon as you test positive, and VA will send you anti-viral drugs when appropriate to help you through your illness. Call 1-800-214-1306 as soon as you test positive.

Nurses Month

We continue to celebrate Nurses’ Month here at VA Pacific Islands Heath Care System (VAPIHCS.) VA is the largest national employer of nurses, and we have more than 450 nurses on our staff alone. The theme this year is “Nurses Make A Difference.” We see that in their innovation, their creativity in health care and patient advocacy, and their devotion to the Veterans that we all serve.

Each week of Nurses’ Month we are highlighting a different part of the nursing profession including self-care, recognition, professional development, and community engagement. To all our nurses, I thank you for your motivation, drive, and dedication to the mission and the vision, to provide safe, compassionate, quality care to the men and women who have worn the cloth of our nation. I could not be more proud of the incredible work that you do.

Thoughts From Chaplain Richie Charles

“The Yearning of the Heart”

Situated just outside the Shibuya train station in Japan stands one of the most famous statues in all of Tokyo. Originally built back in 1934, the bronze statue is a sculpted into the likeness of a dog named “Hachiko.”  And though dogs indeed are considered a human being’s best friend, the reason behind why this statue continues to draw the admiration of millions each year is inspiring.

Hachiko was a dog of the Akita Inu breed and was born on a farm in 1923. He was later adopted by Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor of agriculture at the University of Tokyo. The loving bond between the two grew strong, and they developed a daily routine: Ueno and Hachiko would walk together to the Shibuya train station each day, where Ueno would pet Hachiko goodbye before getting on the train to work. When Ueno would return from work, he would find his loyal dog faithfully awaiting his return at the train station.

The routine continued like clockwork each day, until one day when an unfortunate tragedy struck. While Ueno was giving a lecture at his university, he suddenly suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that would end up taking his life. Unbeknownst to Hachiko, that day would be the last time he would see his owner’s face.

But what happened afterwards has captured the hearts of many the world over. Not grasping that his owner was deceased, Hachiko would show up to the Shibuya train station faithfully each day, waiting to see if Ueno would this time step off the train to greet him. Day after day would pass, and Hachiko would continue to faithfully await his owner’s return. Hachiko did this for nearly 10 years, until Hachiko himself took his last breath.

The statues erected in Japan of Hachiko testify of our deep yearning for unconditional love. Dogs have become human’s best friend because in their presence, our hearts find a place of unconditional acceptance. Dogs are often our fiercest defenders yet are attentive and caring enough to show us empathy when we might feel blue.  A dog’s love has no regard for our skin color, ethnicity, or our accomplishments – their tails start wagging and eyes brighten up just for the joy of seeing our faces just one more time.

Each day, we also can offer love and respect to the colleagues we work with and the Veterans whom we serve. One of the greatest legacies we can leave behind is how we treated others.

In light of the recent difficult events our country has recently endured, let’s be reminded of the innate value that we all have, and remain committed to treating each other with the dignity and respect we all deeply crave and deserve.

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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