Syracuse VA Medical Center Recognized Nationally as Winner Of VA’s 2023 Community Partnership Challenge

Syracuse VA Medical Center has been named one of three Medical Centers nationwide to receive the Community Partnership Challenge Award for 2023.

Family functioning is a common concern among Veterans with mental health concerns but there are limited resources available for whole family programming. There are existing separate support and educational groups for Veterans but there wasn’t an option to pull the family together. 

Ann Canastra, Local Recovery Coordinator at the Syracuse VA, worked with Clear Path for Veterans, a local community resource center for Veterans in this area, and with the NAMI Syracuse chapter to bring all the services together under one roof at one time.  These groups coming together have created a unique opportunity for Veterans and their families.  A safe, stress-free setting for Veterans and their families to spend time together exploring empowerment, coping skills, new resources, and developing a strong peer network.

“The Syracuse VA is very fortunate to have community partners like Clear Path for Veterans, NAMI and other local Syracuse group who are willing to focus programming in the evenings when families can come together. We are committed to the recovery of Veterans with mental health issues and support their families as they are critical to recovery effort”, said Mark Murdock, Director of the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

For more information on VA care for Veterans with Mental Health issues go to:

www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/

Photo left to right

• Ashley Sloan, Communications Manager at Clear Path for Veterans and NAMI Homefront Teacher, and NAMI Syracuse Board of Directors Member
• Sandra Carter, Chief Executive Officer of NAMI Syracuse
• Dr. Margaret Bristol, NAMI Homefront Teacher and NAMI NY State Board if Directors Member
• Ann Canastra, Syracuse VA Local Recovery Coordinator
• Mark Murdock, Syracuse VA Medical Center Director
• Chris Flaherty, President and CEO of ClearPath for Veterans