Director's Message September 16, 2022

In the United States of America, we share our country with people from all walks of life, and with many cultures and traditions. I truly believe that our differences help us to find more creative solutions to problems, to be more empathetic, and to have the opportunity to learn more. You can honor Hispanic American Heritage Month by taking a moment to learn more about Hispanic culture, and about the wide variety of traditions and peoples that fall under that definition. Here at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) I am exceedingly proud to lead a diverse workforce of people who have come together as one Ohana, and who serve veterans from all walks of life. Happy Hispanic American Heritage Month to you all.

Complementary Medicine

The Whole Health model of care focuses on caring for the whole person.  In part, it involves the prevention of disease by promoting self-care activities for overall health and well-being. The Whole Health model of care also encompasses both conventional and complementary approaches to health care. When possible, VA incorporates evidenced-based treatments that compliment traditional medicine. This may include adding Meditation or Ti Chi to your daily routine or trying acupuncture for pain. Ask your doctor if you are interested in complementary therapies that you can add to your traditional treatments. Treating the whole person leads to better patient outcomes. Call 1-800-214-1306 to schedule an appointment.

Covid-19 Vaccine Update

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccines that were previously available, there is now a new option called Novavax.  VA encourages all Veterans to get vaccinated to protect their health. Although we recommend vaccination for all veterans, the COVID-19 vaccine is particularly important for veterans planning to start a family. The CDC and other experts strongly recommend that people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Pregnant people are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Severe illness may mean having to go to the hospital, needing a ventilator to breathe, or having an illness that results in death. Pregnant people also have an increased risk of preterm birth. COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19. Experts believe that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

We highly encourage all veterans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to the new Novavax option, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are still available as well. Additionally, as school starts there will be lots of germs going around. VA also offers flu shots to veterans and their caregivers. Please reach out and make an appointment to get your vaccines today.

Expanding Veterans Access to Care Through Virtual Technologies

Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is leading the way in telehealth modernization to ensure veterans have access to care when and where they need it. VA is the nation’s largest provider of telehealth and developing new technologies and leading groundbreaking digital health research across the country to provide safe, compassionate, and quality care for the men and women who have worn the cloth of our nation.  

VA provides nationwide access through; real-time, interactive video visits, in home and mobile health remote monitoring, and loaned devices that gather and securely store health data.

 
In the home, veterans can meet providers in virtual medical rooms using the camera on a smartphone, computer, or tablet through a video appointment. Family members, friends and caretakers can be virtually invited to these appointments.  The VA has many options for access to care virtually with the Digital Divide Program, lending an internet-connected tablet an no cost to the veteran, Fee mobile connectivity for Telehealth with major phone carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

In addition, VAPIHCS has a registered ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) in the Ocean View Community Center on the island of Hawaii.  Veterans can have video visits with a private provider in private space.  ATLAS sites will be available to veterans in Saipan (Tinian, Rota and Kagman) starting October 2022.  Future ATLAS sites were recently identified in American Samoa.

Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) allows the Veteran access to care through Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT).  Using video and special devices, primary care providers can observe the session as if they were in the same room.  The provider can make diagnosis, manage care, and perform check-ups virtually.  Veterans can connect with a health specialist at any medical center nationwide via Video connection.  In addition, veterans have the option to use digital; health tools like MyHealtheVet (secure messaging) and VA Mobile Apps.

More than 11, 551 veterans with 53,800 encounters were completed by VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Telehelath services this past year.  VA has been instrumental in providing access to care with advance technology, education, and training to staff and veterans. VAPIHCS is making great progress in connecting the Veterans to care with VA Video Connect (VVC), Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), Digital Divide program, and ATLAS sites. If you are a veteran and would like to receive care from the VA call 1-800-214-1306.

The goal is simple, to provide access to the right care, in the right place at the right time.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie

A father once told his son a riddle. The father said to his son, “there were five frogs sitting on a log, but four of them decided to leap off the log, how many frogs were left?”. The little boy answered, “one frog was left, dad”. The father replied, “good try my son, but actually five frogs were left sitting on that log”. At this point, his son was puzzled. The father then reminded his son “I asked how many frogs decided to leap off the log”, not “how many frogs actually did.”

The little boy learned a valuable lesson: it’s one thing to desire to do something, but it’s another to do it.

Many of us have dreams and ideas of how we can take our service to new levels. But as noble as these ideas might be, we may find a gap between our plans, and what do about them. But often, a great way to bridge that gap is to “just do it.”

But when it comes to executing on our goals, there’s one factor that might seek to stop us in our tracks: waiting for more motivation.  Yet waiting for the energizing feeling of motivation to come before leaping forward may prove elusive. Dr. Jerome Bruner of Harvard University once made a good observation: “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.” He observed that motivation grew because he started, not always before he started.  Moving forward was key.

Moving forward can create its own form of momentum. As we see the fruit of our daily progress, we’ll be more motivated to keep moving in the right direction. We may not arrive at our destination in one day, but as John Maxwell once said, we can change our direction, today.

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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