Director's Veteran Message October 3, 2025

Breast cancer affects many lives, and early detection through regular screenings is vital. Catching cancer early improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. We encourage you to talk to your care team about breast cancer screenings. Whether it’s scheduling a mammogram or learning about self-exams, we are here to support you. Call 1- to make an appointment.

Safely Dispose of Unused Medications 

On October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., join us at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center for our Drug Take Back Event. This is a safe way to dispose of any unused or unwanted prescription medications.

Proper disposal prevents accidental ingestion, misuse, and environmental harm. By participating, you help keep our community safe and healthy. 

Scare Away Cold and Flu Season with VA Health Chat 

This month, we’re addressing cold and flu season with the VA Health Chat app. This app connects Veterans with VA staff for non-life-threatening health concerns. Use the app for medical advice on minor injuries or illnesses, schedule VA appointments, or refill prescriptions—all without needing to visit a VA clinic. More frequent communication helps you get the most out of your care. 

Veterans can access VA Health Chat through the VA App Store and My HealtheVet on VA.gov. They can also download it from the Apple App Store and Google Play. To sign in, Veterans must use their Login.gov or ID.me account.

Whole Health Copayments

Whole Health Copayments VA is updating its billing practices. Starting October 1, 2025, certain Whole Health services will have a $15 copayment for Veterans in copay-eligible priority groups (6-8). Veterans exempt from copayments will not be affected.

Take care and stay healthy and thank you for choosing VA. 

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

Have you ever received feedback or criticism that felt unfair and maybe even ill-intentioned? We probably all experienced this at one point of our lives – and sometimes, those words of critique might come from the very places we least expect. But as difficult as those words might be to digest at first, I’ve found that there’s often a gift if we take moments to look at criticism more objectively.

Like a jeweler who holds up a diamond to the light to appreciate it’s brilliance, from different angles, when we take a step back to analyze critical feedback more objectively, we might be surprised to unearth hidden gems that could help us grow and bring out the better in us – regardless of the sharer’s intentions. Sometimes life’s greatest lessons come in sweet packages, but other times, they’re veiled in bitter exteriors. However, a lesson, regardless of the source, remains a lesson. Either way, we can grow from these experiences and become better versions of ourselves, if we choose to.

I’m reminded of an old fictional folktale that speaks of bunnies who were hopping around in a forest. One of the bunnies fell into a deep pit, and out of spite, the other bunnies began to shovel dirt down the pit, intending to bury the fallen bunny and cement its fate. But as each fresh new pile of dirt fell upon the bunny’s head and shoulders, the bunny chose to shake the dirt off. Eventually, the bunny realized that the very dirt he shook off became fresh new grounding under its feet, elevating the bunny higher and higher. Rather than burying the bunny, each new pile of dirt thrown became another steppingstone. What was meant to keep the bunny in the pit, became its ladder enabling it to rise out of the pit. What made the difference? The bunny’s choice to capitalize on what came its way. 

Let’s discern the value in the feedback that comes our way, and watch yourself rise higher, and higher.

One Team, One Ohana!

Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE 

Interim Medical Center Director

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System