Women Veterans IMPACT Conference

Conference Details

Washington DC VA Medical Center is hosting the Women Veterans 2023 IMPACT Conference in recognition of Women’s History Month. Women Veterans, their caregivers, and qualifying dependents can learn about expanded health care benefits under the PACT Act. By attending, you can meet with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) representatives to enroll for VA care and receive claims assistance.

Discover health care and spiritual wellness that is tailored to your needs. The IMPACT Conference allows you to experience the transformation of VA care, benefits and services. Join Chaplain Service's Empowerment Breakout Sessions to improve your mental and spiritual wellbeing and engage VA experts in Real Talk Fireside Chats about women's health, suicide prevention, homeless Veterans resources and community engagement opportunities.

The event will kick off at 9:00 a.m. with a welcome message, PACT Act presentation and IMPACT awards recognitions for VA employees and community partners who have made an impact in the women Veteran's community. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., you will be free to move around the conference to connect with VBA claims representatives and receive wellness checks. Engage in Real Talk Fireside Chats and join Empowerment Breakout Sessions, offered in person and virtually. Lite fare will be provided for in-person participants. 

Conference Schedule & Links to Join Virtually

9:00 a.m.
Welcome and PACT Act keynote address by Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education & Affiliate Networks, Veterans Health Administration. Washington DC VA Medical Center Director Michael S.  Heimall will also offer remarks and pertinent health care information followed by recognition of IMPACT awardees. To learn more about the PACT Act, click here.

To join the opening session of the conference virtually on Microsoft Teams, click here.

To download Microsoft Teams, click Download Teams. To join without downloading Microsoft Teams, click Join on the web and enter the following information when prompted: 
Meeting ID: 268 515 725 564
Passcode: 4EAAQr
Join by phone (audio only) at: +1 872-701-0185, Phone Conference ID: 765 958 186#

10:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Veterans Benefits Administration representatives will provide:

• one-on-one assistance with filing VA benefits claims

10:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Veterans Health Administration representatives will provide:

• VA Health Care eligibility and enrollment
• PACT Act toxic exposure screening
• Appointment scheduling for Burn Pit Registry Evaluations
• On-site wellness checks

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Empowerment Breakout Sessions - Engage in topics to increase your spiritual and mental wellness.
Each breakout session will last 45 minutes and will be offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to accommodate your schedule. Virtual attendees can access the sessions at the links provided below. 

Relationship Skills (10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.)
Join Board Certified Chaplain Carol Ramsey-Lucas to learn about building healthy relationship skills through the Warrior 2 Soul Mate Program. Chaplain Ramsey-Lucas is the Chief of Chaplain Service at Washington DC VA Medical Center, where she coordinates the work of a diverse, multi-faith team of chaplains. She is also a trained facilitator and Master Trainer for the Warrior 2 Soul Mate Program supporting Veterans with relationship skills.  

Click here to join the meeting  (Meeting ID: 272 240 784 549/Passcode: ioJcPA)  or  (Phone 1-872-701-0185/Code: 462 670 441#)

Spiritual & Mental Wellness (10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.)
Join Washington DC VA Medical Center Mental Health Chaplain Cindy Wallace to learn about the importance of mental and spiritual wellness. Chaplain Wallace coordinates spirituality groups for inpatient and outpatient mental health as well as grief support groups for both Veterans and families. She serves as the co-lead for the Suicide Postvention Team, providing grief support to families and providers. 

Click here to join the meeting  (Meeting ID: 286 061 654 670/Passcode: rR9zXo)  or  (Phone 1-872-701-0185/Code: 611 843 003#)

Writing and Storytelling (10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.)
Join Washington DC VA Medical Center Spirituality and the Arts Program Director, Chaplain Cheryl Jones, to experience a brief overview of the Spirituality and the Arts program which offers therapeutic ways to connect, heal, and relieve stress through all art forms to include music, painting, writing and more. Chaplain Jones oversees the work of the Spirituality and the Arts Players, and the Veterans Writing Program and will be joined by author, teacher and Army Veteran, Chris Yeazel.

Click here to join the meeting (Meeting ID: 222 357 987 127/Passcode: kLe3gW) or  (Phone 1-872-701-0185/Code: 209 962 966#)

Unlock Your Spiritual Gifts (12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.)
Unlock your spiritual gifts and focus on your purpose. Join certified life coach, L.K. Williams, who will help you to embark upon a fulfilling professional path or entrepreneurial journey. She will be joined by Chaplain Carol Ramsey-Lucas. 

Click here to join the meeting (Meeting ID: 269 432 238 452/Passcode: bV9TwR)  or  (Phone: 1-872-701-0185/Code: 867 193 840#)

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Real Talk Fireside Chats - Engage in one-on-one conversations with VA experts and community partners to learn about resources and benefits available to you. Fifteen minute virtual connections for each Fireside Chat topic will be available. Join through the links below.                            

Women's Health
Meet Women Veterans Program Manager Shana Balogun and learn about individualized and gender specific health care available to you at Washington DC VA Medical Center. 

Click here to join the meeting from 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Real Life & Suicide Prevention
Meet Washington DC VA Medical Center Suicide Prevention Coordinator Nancy Sullivan and Ginger Miller, CEO of a national women Veterans foundation, to engage in a discussion and information sharing session. 

Click here to join the meeting from 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Whole Health
Meet the Whole Health Team and learn about VA's wholistic approach to caring for Veterans. Find out how you can practice self-care from home and discover activities to improve your overall health and wellness. 

Click here to join the meeting from 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Homeless Outreach Program 
Meet Sha'Ron Haddock the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator. Learn about VA resources for Veterans at-risk for or experiencing homelessness. The team is also looking to engage with community organizations in the DC metropolitan area, that share our mission to end homelessness among Veterans. 

Click here to join the meeting from 12:45 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.