Health services

Our pharmacy provides you and other Veterans with convenient, efficient service to make it easy to get your medications and medical supplies. You can:

• Pick up new prescriptions in person at the Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau facilities
• Refill prescriptions online and by phone or mail
• Safely dispose of medicines

Learn more about our pharmacy

Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life, including immunizations and vaccinations. They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you.

A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care. Internal medicine doctors (internists) prevent, diagnose, and treat adult diseases. Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family. Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as:

• Labs and blood work
• Mental health care
• Women's health care
• Home-based primary care
• Social services
• Telehealth

We provide immediate, walk-in care for minor injuries and non-emergency illnesses that are not life-threatening but need early attention.

IMPORTANT: Urgent Care is not a replacement for preventive or emergency care. Veterans should work with the primary care provider for this type of care. While urgent care is a convenient benefit for non-emergent symptoms, Veterans should always consider talking with or seeing their primary care provider if they are concerned the urgent care location will not understand the complexities of their medical history or medications.

• When in doubt about your health condition or symptoms, Veterans should always seek a higher level of care, such as care from an emergency department. This is because they may have symptoms related to a serious health condition that an urgent care may not be able to adequately address.
• If Veterans have a medical emergency, they should immediately seek care at the nearest emergency room. A medical emergency is an injury, illness, or symptom so severe that a prudent layperson reasonably believes that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.
• If you believe your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings, mental health treatment, recovery from military sexual trauma, maternity care and female-specific medical equipment.

Our women's health program offers complete health care for women Veterans of all ages. Our primary care providers specialize in women’s health. They work closely with local specialists in gynecology, obstetrics, female urology, oncology, medicine, radiology, surgery, and breast illness. Our services for women Veterans include:

• Ultrasounds, mammograms, Pap and HPV tests
• Mental health care and counseling
• Lifestyle wellness services
• Menopause treatment, including hormonal therapy
• Family planning, contraceptive care, and infertility evaluation

Learn more and connect with a Women Veterans Program Manager

We help Veterans on their recovery journey through outpatient and inpatient services. Our residential facility helps Veterans deal with substance abuse, homelessness, mental health, and unemployment through its 24-hour therapeutic and educational programs like:

• Rehabilitation
• Health maintenance
• Community support

Learn more about our VA treatment programs

Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for:

• Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression
• Marriage and relationship problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, addictive behaviors, and personality disorders
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and treatment support such as private counseling, group therapy and medication. It’s never too late to get help.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. We can help you with effective treatments and support services, like:

• Psychiatric and psychological counseling
• Services for Veterans who are homeless
• Treatment for addictive disorders
• Transition and care management for post-9/11 combat Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND)

Learn more about PTSD

If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help. We offer treatment and support such as therapy, alternative treatments  and medications when needed.

Good mental health is a vital part of your overall wellness. Our psychiatry teams offer consultation, evaluation, and treatment to help you with a range of mental and behavioral health problems, including:

• Depression (including sadness and grief), anxiety (including worry and nervousness), and personality disorders
• Addictive behaviors and substance abuse
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat-related stress disorder
• Emotional issues like anger management and relationship challenges, confused thinking, memory problems, and invasive thoughts or ideas
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. We offer:

• Suicide prevention care coordinators
• Suicide prevention case managers
• Gun safety locks

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Our Audiology and Speech Pathology clinic provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services, VA compensation and pension examinations, and screening for employee hearing conservation. We offer a full range of audiology and speech pathology services like:

• Hearing and balance evaluations
• Selection, management, and repair of hearing aids and assistive listening device assessments
• Evaluation, programming, and management of cochlear implants and bone-anchored implants
• Evaluation and treatment for auditory processing disorder
• Services that help with speech, language, fluency, voice, cognitive communication, swallowing, stuttering, and laryngectomy (surgical removal of the larynx, which contains your vocal cords)

Learn more about VA hearing aids

The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator is the primary point of contact at the Poplar Bluff VA for low vision and blind rehabilitation service referrals and needs.  The VIST Coordinator is available to provide services to legally blind Veterans, as well as visually impaired Veterans with need for assistance with referrals for further low vision evaluation and training.

• Assistance with accessing appropriate health care and blind rehabilitation services
• Arrangement for annual VIST reviews to assess for current and changing needs
• Review and provision of recommended low vision adaptive aids via VA Prosthetics
• Provision of support and adjustment counseling (individual and group) for visually impaired Veterans and their families.

• COVID-19 vaccines for eligible Veterans and staff

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at VA

Our cardiology specialists offer treatment in the following areas:

• Cardiac stress testing
• Echocardiogram
• 24-hour monitoring
• Pacemaker evaluations

•  Outpatient chiropractic services
•  Inpatient chiropractic services
•  Acupuncture
•  Battlefield Acupuncture group

• Store and Forward Teledermatology (a telehealth resource) is available, where images of mild skin conditions are acquired for evaluation by an offsite dermatologist.  This resource gives patients quick access to expert opinions while keeping treatment at the primary care level when possible.
• Face-to-face clinic appointments available at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center main facility.
• Referrals for complex conditions.

We diagnose and treat medical conditions in your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, and other parts of your digestive system. We can also test and treat other organs, like your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Our gastroenterology department provides services like:

• Colonoscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Our laboratory and pathology services include:

• Study of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids for illness management
• Testing for infectious diseases
• Cytopathology (study of unusual cells), surgical pathology (study of tissue removed during surgery), and autopsy services are done off-site

MOVE! is a multi-disciplinary weight management program. The program focuses on accomplishing behavior change in the areas of dietary intake and physical activity.

• Group care
• Individual care
• Face-to-Face, Telehealth, Virtual (VVC) or telephone visits

Registered dietitians are available to provide credible, evidenced-based information regarding nutrition management, including complete nutrition assessments to ensure patients are meeting dietary requirements.

• Provide dietary counseling for a variety of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease
• Determine nutritional supplementation needs
• Provide guidance on weight management
• Services can be provided through face-to-face visits, Telehealth visits, virtual (VVC) visits, and/or telephone visits.

Services by appointment include: 

• Routine eye exams
• Diabetic eye exams
• Cataract evaluations
• Glaucoma checks
• Emergency eye care
• Eyeglass fitting and repair

We use surgical and nonsurgical means to treat illnesses and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue. We treat conditions like:

• Musculoskeletal trauma
• Degenerative illnesses
• Sports injuries

Our team of pain management specialists, including a physical therapist, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, and psychologist, will create a customized treatment plan for your pain in coordination with your Primary Care team. You can expect a broad-spectrum approach to your health care.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiotherapy can help restore movement and function if you have been disabled by injury or disease.

We provide skilled physical medicine and rehabilitation services through multiple outpatient, inpatient, and video connection modalities to help move our Veterans along toward rehabilitation from physical impairments, including:

• Inpatient physical therapy
• Outpatient physical therapy
• Evaluation for appropriate assistive devices
• Inpatient occupational therapy
• Outpatient occupational therapy

Our podiatry specialists evaluate and treat a wide range of injuries, diseases and disorders that affect your feet and ankles—from ingrown toenails to inflammation to diabetic foot ulcers.

After years of walking, running, marching, jumping, rappelling, and parachuting, many Veterans experience trouble with their feet and ankles. We can help treat those problems so you can continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. Our podiatry services include:

• Arthritis care for inflamed, swollen, or damaged joints
• Foot and ankle fracture treatment, repair of cartilage, torn tendons and ligaments
• Injections to reduce pain and swelling
• Joint arthroplasty (surgical repair or reconstruction) and replacement
• Minimally invasive surgery and post-surgical rehabilitation
• Foot health maintenance procedures (bunion removal, resurfacing, and nail trimming)

We provide and help you use medical aids, hearing aids, state-of-the-art adaptive home equipment and other equipment to help you preserve and increase your mobility and independence.

• Blood pressure monitors
• Walking aids
• Wheelchairs
• Braces ( i.e.  lumbar, wrist, knee, ankle)
• Diabetic shoes
• Diabetic socks

We offer radiology and imaging services to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. Our services include:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• Mammography (mammograms)
• Computer tomography (CT)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

We provide long-term care to help you and your family when you’re dealing with a disability, chronic (long-lasting) illness, terminal illness, or serious health issues related to aging. Our long-term health care services include:

• 24/7 nursing and medical care
• Physical therapy
• Help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine
• Pain management and palliative care to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses
• Hospice care to provide comfort and compassionate care for people in the last phases of an incurable illness
• To learn more about the different types of extended care that VA provides, see our guide to long-term services and support.

Learn more about VA long-term care

If you are trying to quit smoking or want to stop using tobacco, we can help you with support, resources and programs.

You can quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Our goal is to provide support and strategies to add to optional nicotine replacement therapy prescribed by your primary care doctor. These include:

• FDA-approved medications to manage nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke.
• Counseling in person or by phone
• Tobacco Cessation Quitline for individual counseling and strategies
• SmokefreeVET text message program for daily advice and interactive support
• Stay Quit Coach mobile app to help you quit smoking and stay smoke-free

Learn more about how to quit

If you are having surgery, we make sure that your procedure and follow-up care are safe and high-quality.

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center has a dedicated surgical team located at its Cape Girardeau VA Health Care Center, providing a variety of surgical services, such as:

• Lipoma and cyst excision
• Skin cancer lesion excision with flap closure
• Skin abscess drainage
• Chronic wound management
• General surgery consults

For more information, please call .

• Toxic exposure screenings are conducted by your Primary Care provider. 
• Screenings also are available in the Urgent Care at the main facility.

We evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of urology diseases and conditions that include kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, prostate cancer, and more. We provide you with medical care, surgery, and minimally invasive procedures for health issues that affect:

• Kidneys
• Bladder
• Ureter and urethra
• Male reproductive organs

If you’re a caregiver for a Veteran, you can get support by contacting one of our caregiver support coordinators. If the Veteran you care for was injured post-9/11, you may be eligible for even more services, including a stipend to help with expenses, training, and medical coverage if you aren’t already covered. For all caregivers, we can:

• Help you get caregiver assistance available through VA
• Provide progressive needs planning to help you manage degenerative conditions
• Match you with services and benefits
• Connect you with local resources and programs
• Listen to you when you struggle

Learn more and connect with a support coordinator

We help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact one of our care coordinators to get help with:

• Immediate food and shelter needs, including both transitional and permanent housing
• Job training, life skills development, and education
• Justice system navigation and community reentry from jail
• Financial support to prevent homelessness
• Addiction and depression treatment
• Health and dental care

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, yet preventable, public health concern that can result in death, serious injury, and chronic medical and mental health issues. We are committed to ensuring that Veterans, their partners, and VA employees who are directly impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV) are provided with a comprehensive network of services. We offer assistance to those who are experiencing IPV as well as those who are using IPV.

Anonymous, confidential help is available 24/7 at the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1- and the Domestic Violence website at https://www.thehotline.org/.

• Education
• Assessment and intervention
• Resources
• Referrals
• Treatment with dignity and respect

We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:

• Hormone therapy
• Substance use and alcohol treatment
• Testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Mental health care
• Psychosocial assessments for gender-confirming surgeries and hormone therapy

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

If you’re a minority Veteran, we can help you get the services and benefits you need. Our Minority Veterans Program serves all Veterans who are Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Island Americans). We work to:

• Help the medical center address minority Veterans’ needs
• Meet minority Veterans’ needs in the local community
• Identify barriers and create a more accessible environment for minority Veterans
• Inform minority Veterans of VA benefits, services, and programs

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Our patient advocates work hard to make sure you receive the best possible care at our health care facilities. They can:

• Help you get answers or address concerns with your care team
• Advocate for patient and family rights
• Serve as advocates for minority Veterans, women Veterans, and Veterans with disabilities
• Offer specialized help to former prisoners of war and Veterans transitioning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND)

Learn more and connect with a patient advocate

We offer a wide range of activities (arts and crafts, games, sports, exercise) that we can adapt to your needs.

The purpose of recreational therapy is to provide health and wellness recreation opportunities that match identified areas of interest found in the circle of health. Outpatient whole health recreational therapy is available with personalized health plans. Inpatient recreational therapy is available for Veterans in the Community Living Center.

•  Yoga
•  Tai Chi
•  National Golden Age Games
•  Arts and crafts, guitar classes
•  Barbecues
•  Community outings

If you’re returning from military service, we can help you readjust to civilian life and get started with VA health care. We can also help connect you with programs like mental health services and education and career counseling.

We can help you readjust to civilian life if you’re returning from military service, on active duty, or an activated National Guard or Reserve member. Talk to one of our care coordinators about how to best use your health care benefits.

• Polytrauma care (if you have multiple traumatic injuries)
• Counseling and rehabilitation
• Mental and behavioral health services
• Family benefits counseling and assistance
• Referral assistance

Learn more and connect with a coordinator

Social work is integral to health care. We can help you and your family manage stress-related problems due to injury or illness, and find VA community resources to meet your needs like:

• Home health services
• Legal services
• Transportation
• Community living

My HealtheVet is a web-based tool you can use to manage your care and improve your health from your computer or mobile device. You can access your personal health records, refill your prescriptions, see your lab results, track appointments, and read informative health articles. If you need help using My HealtheVet, you can contact our coordinator by phone - at - or in person. With My HealtheVet, you can:

• Ask questions and exchange secure online messages with your VA health care team
• Check your lab and test results
• Refill your prescriptions, track delivery, and view a list of your medications
• Keep track of your VA medical appointments and get email reminders
• View, download, or print a copy of your VA medical records

Connect with our My HeatheVet Coordinator

Learn more and register for My HealtheVet

We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers. We offer video conferencing, home telehealth services, and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities. 

NEW! Tele Emergency Care services are now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing and pressing option 3. Tele Emergency Care offers immediate access to medical assistance, with a team of experienced nurses and emergency medicine providers quickly assessing your needs and recommending the most appropriate care for your condition.

Tele Emergency Care supports all non-life-threatening medical needs, including primary, urgent, and emergency care. Veterans can receive timely guidance and assistance from trained emergency medicine professionals regardless of the situation. 

Tele Emergency Care is a convenient alternative to traditional healthcare settings. It allows Veterans to receive prompt medical attention from the comfort of their own homes. This helps reduce unnecessary visits to overcrowded urgent cares or emergency rooms and minimizes wait times. It is designed to accommodate busy lifestyles, offering on-demand assistance for medical concerns, and ensuring patients can access quality health care whenever needed. 

If your condition can be safely treated virtually, our Tele Emergency Care providers are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to offer rapid phone or video visits. If an in-person visit is necessary, we can recommend the most appropriate level of care for your unique needs.

Tele Emergency Care supports but does not replace in-person care. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department if you believe your condition is life-threatening.

Additionally, we offer telehealth visits with providers in:

• Primary Care
• Mental Health
• MOVE! weight loss program
• Nutrition
• Tele eye care
• Tele dermatology

https://telehealth.va.gov:443/

We help Veterans with physical and mental health challenges find and keep jobs. We help you find jobs through our long-term partnerships with business, industry, and government agencies. We offer 3 services:

• Our transitional work program matches Veteran’s skills with a specific job and provides supervision to help them gain work experience
• Our supported employment program provides long-term support for Veterans with serious mental illnesses or physical disabilities to help them compete for jobs in their communities
• Our vocational assistance program trains Veterans living at our residential facility to improve their job-search and career development skills

Learn more about VA vocational rehabilitation

Our Whole Health program offers a variety of services to help you achieve you health goals. Some offerings include:

• Whole Health 101, Introduction to Whole Health
• Taking Charge of my Life and Health
• Whole Health Coaching
• Fitness for Life
• Whole Health Recreation Therapy, including Yoga, Tai Chi, Art, Music, and other activities
• Sessions are held via Telehealth for Veterans at the Farmington clinic