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Director's Veteran Message December 5, 2025

Director

As we approach National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day this weekend, we take this opportunity to honor the brave service members and civilians who tragically lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

VAPIHCS Veterans, 

As we approach National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day this weekend, we take this opportunity to honor the brave service members and civilians who tragically lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. We also recognize the remarkable courage, resilience, and selflessness shown by those who rushed toward danger to save others in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. This day holds profound significance here in Hawaii and across the Pacific Islands, where the echoes of that morning continue to shape our shared history and collective memory.

As we mark the 84th anniversary of this fateful day, it is a time for all of us—Veterans, families, caregivers, and staff—to pause, pay our respects, and reflect on the immense sacrifices made by those who were injured and killed. The legacy of the heroes who answered the call during World War II remains a powerful reminder of the strength, unity, and resolve that define our nation. Their service continues to inspire our commitment to supporting those who serve today.

Let us come together as a community to honor their memory, reaffirm our gratitude, and ensure their stories and sacrifices are never forgotten.

Managing Stress and Maintaining Healthy Living

When navigating life’s challenges, it's essential to pay close attention to our stress levels. If you find yourself having difficulty concentrating, feeling worried or fearful, fatigued, or irritable towards others, it may be a sign that stress is impacting your well-being.

Remember, you're not alone in this. Your VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) team is here to support you and can help you manage stress effectively.

We offer resources and information on mindfulness and other stress management techniques, including:

Taking care of your mental health is an integral part of maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life. Don't hesitate to call us at 1- for assistance.

Received the Flu Vaccine in the Community?

VAPIHCS now has a dedicated flu vaccine hotline for you to call to have your records updated. If you received your flu vaccine in the community, please call us at . All we need is your full name, the last four digits of your social security number, the location where you got your vaccine, and the approximate date of your vaccination.

Your health is our priority, and keeping our records up to date helps us serve you better.

Veteran Experience Survey Spotlight - Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP)

One of the most meaningful questions on the SHEP survey asks Veterans, “In the last six months, how often did this provider spend enough time with you?” This question gets to the heart of what every Veteran deserves during their visit: attentive, unhurried care. When a provider spends enough time with their patient, it creates space for open communication, thoughtful questions, and a clear understanding of health concerns and treatment options. It also reassures the Veteran that their time, their health, and their service are valued.

As a healthcare system, we are committed to delivering care that never feels rushed. Our teams work to ensure appointments allow Veterans the opportunity to share their full concerns, discuss their goals, and receive the information they need to make confident decisions about their health. Whether through improved scheduling practices, team-based support, or better coordination across services, we strive to create an environment to ensure the highest quality of care.

Your feedback helps guide us as we continue to enhance patient experience across our health care system. Thank you for choosing VAPIHCS.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

One of Aesop’s most well-known fables tells the story of a race between a tortoise and a hare. Naturally, everyone expects the hare—an exceptionally fast animal capable of reaching speeds over 45 mph—to win with ease. Yet, surprisingly, it is the slow, unassuming tortoise who emerges as victor.

While the ending of that story might be surprising, I must admit, it never truly resonated with me until much later in life. The more I lived, the more I saw that as unremarkable and slow as the tortoise’s speed might be, it’s often indeed true that “slow and steady wins the race”.

We live in a world that often prizes showiness over substance, flashiness over faithfulness, and talent over character. But this familiar childhood fable reminds us that consistency usually outperforms speed, and that reality tends to reward endurance rather than fanfare. Anyone can start a race—but what truly matters is finishing well.

All around us, nature confirms the same lesson. A seed grows so gradually that its progress is nearly invisible, yet in time it becomes a towering redwood, and can live over 1,500 years! It can be tempting for us to believe that progress only counts if it’s dramatic, immediate, or impressive. But the truth is that meaningful change, lasting growth, and long-term impact rarely happen in a moment. They happen through steady, faithful steps in the right direction.

Across our clinics, wards, offices, and hallways, much of the work that truly changes lives isn’t flashy. It isn’t loud. It looks like answering one more Veteran’s question with patience, completing one more consult thoroughly, or showing up each day with integrity and consistency, even when no one is watching.

These small, steady acts—repeated across weeks, months, and years—are what make a world of a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families. Be encouraged, what you do daily often matters far more than what you do dramatically. Over time, those steady steps become victories—for you, and the Veterans we serve.

One Team, One Ohana!

Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE 

Interim Medical Center Director

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System