VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS)

We recognize that VA health care can feel like a giant puzzle, especially for women Veteran. Need help putting the pieces together? Call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak to a real person who can help you understand what you’re eligible for and how to apply.
VA accepts applications by phone, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional. Learn more below to start the process.
www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/ or call 515-699-5647

🚣Today looks like a great day for the only veteran kayaking event this month, with VA Recreation Therapy and Team River Runner! Meet us at the Athene Northshore Recreation Area of Easter Lake Park TODAY(July 18th) from 3-5pm! Adapted equipment is available for those who need it. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!
☀️The weather looks great to be out on the water so we hope to see some of you there!

Athene Northshore Recreation Area
2883 Evergreen Ave
Des Moines, IA 50320

Are you a woman transitioning from service member to Veteran? Women often experience a notable health care culture change after leaving active duty, but VA is here to help make your transition as smooth as possible!
Call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak to a real person and get connected to VA health care or learn more about VA Women’s Health below. You belong at VA.
www.womenshealth.va.gov/index.asp

The sun is shining at the Des Moines VA Medical Center ☀️

Studies show that nature nurtures the body and mind! Make some time to destress and decompress by getting outside!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senior-veterans-medical-foster-homes-family/
CBS news ran an informative story on the VA's Medical Foster Home program.
Central Iowa VA offers this service. If you have questions about this program, call 515-710-9562.

How aging veterans are treated like family at medical foster homes The Veterans Affairs program provides care for over 700 veterans from approximately 500 caregivers.

Women Veterans: VA is proud to offer wigs to support those experiencing hair loss due to chemo or another medical issue. Every woman experiencing hair loss deserves to feel confident and strong, and VA is here to help: www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.asp

Reminder that the deadline to enter the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition is coming up on July 31. Bring in your entries Wed July 10 between 4-8pm or Sun July 14 between 1-4pm. Veterans can enter in art, creative writing, dance, drama, or music. Contact Suzanne at 515-699-5999 x24300 if you have questions.

Announcing our new VACIHCS Instagram page!

Follow us using the QR code below!

-OR-

Visit https://www.instagram.com/vacentraliowahealthcare/

Just a reminder that the Des Moines Community Playhouse is no longer offering the free dress rehearsal performance for their shows. So there is no performance open to Veterans on July 10. Instead, you may call their ticket office Tuesday-Friday between noon-5pm to see if they have any free tickets still available for Veterans for a show on opening weekend. They are giving away a set number of tickets for a Veteran and 1 guest to shows this coming weekend, July 12-14. The number to call is 515-277-6261.

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30th Street will be closed for Road Construction from Euclid Avenue to Urbandale Avenue. This closure will be active until Monday September 2 and will impact all lanes.

Additional Information:
Detour will be posted using Euclid Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, and Urbandale Avenue.

This project provides for the construction of new sidewalks and American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalk ramps addressing gaps in existing sidewalk networks near schools and along priority pedestrian routes in neighborhoods throughout the City, improving walkability for students and residents.

For questions, please contact Brad Brockman, City of Des Moines Project Engineer at 515-283-4070

Women Veterans deserve the best prosthetic and sensory aids designed to fit your lifestyle and body, based on your health care needs. VA continues to enhance our offerings to meet both your medical needs and personal style: www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.asp or call 515-699-5647

Today, Fri. June 28, is the first drop off day, so bring your entries in! Noon-4, Bldg 12 on the main campus.

Calling all talented Veterans out there! Deadline to enter the Veterans Creative Arts Competition is July 31, 2024. Enter in art, creative writing, music, drama, or dance. Contact Suzanne for questions at 515-699-5999 x24300 or secure message at CI-Recreation Therapy

🚣A big THANK YOU to all of the community partners who made the Veterans Day at the Lake event a huge success! It was a busy evening of Kayaking, Rowing, Fishing, Adapted Cycling and Pontoon Rides! If you missed out on the event, not to worry. There will be more opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation and adapted sports activities the rest of the summer!
☀️Please check the monthly calendar at: https://www.va.gov/central-iowa-health-care/programs/ to stay up to date on the various ways to remain active through the VA and other community partners!🚴

🚣The weather forecast looks GREAT for tomorrow’s Veterans Day at the Lake event! We look forward to seeing you at Easter Lake tomorrow, June 26th, between 4:00-7:00pm! ☀️

One of the major benefits for women Veterans using VA health care is gaining access to a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping coordinate your care and advocating for your needs!
Women Veterans have access to women’s health primary care providers, women Veteran program managers, maternity care coordinators, mental health providers, and LGBTQ+ care coordinators in one integrated health care system.
www.womenshealth.va.gov

VA Carpenter Kelly Bollhoefer applies a sign over the entrance to the new Medical Specialty Clinic. The clinic, for Cardiology, Pulmonary, Infectious Disease, Dermatology, Endocrine, Renal, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), Neurology, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, is relocating to the first floor of VA Central Iowa’s main Building 1 as part of an expansion that is possible due to Primary Care Clinic relocating to South Des Moines.

‼️Due to the weather forecast and less than ideal conditions today, the Veterans Day at the Lake event for this evening is POSTPONED to next Wednesday, June 26th from 4:00-7:00pm! We apologize for any inconvenience but hope that veterans are able to make it next week, and that the weather will cooperate! ‼️

VA RD Wellness Wednesday! It has been 13 years since the USDA MyPlate became our trusted guide for balanced eating! Let’s celebrate this symbol that reminds us to choose a variety of foods from each food group every day. Contact your local dietitian for more tips on building a nutritious plate!
https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate

We celebrate flag day 🇺🇸

The United States flag is flying at VA Central Iowa’s east entrance as it has for over 90 years. It is on our highest flagpole and will always be the highest flag we fly.

Today VA Central Iowa announces our intention to place an additional flagpole on the new main entrance on the northwest side of the hospital.

• We want all our Veterans, family members, and caregivers to be welcomed by the flag as they enter our facility.
• Installation of the new pole area will begin immediately after a laboratory expansion construction project in the area is complete.

🚣Veterans Day at the Lake is coming up fast! On June 19th from 4:00-7:00pm, Veterans enrolled in the VA are invited to the newly renovated Easter Lake Park! VA Recreation Therapists will be on hand with community partners to provide: Rowing/Erging, Kayaking, Fishing, Adapted Biking and Pontoon Rides! All are welcome! Start at the “Sign-In” table at the boathouse and then enjoy any of the activities! 🎣

❓For questions or to RSVP:
Secure message CI-Recreation Therapy or
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Today we honor the service and sacrifices of women Veterans. June 12 is not a separate Veterans Day for women, but a reminder that you have long fought for your right to serve and are an integral part of our military.
Celebrate with us in our latest She Wears the Boots podcast episode as we hear from Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, Executive Director for the Center for Women Veterans, talk about the history and importance of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/women-veterans-recognition-day--60005699

We salute women Veterans on this Women Veterans Recognition Day! Today, women make up about 17% of our nation’s Armed Forces, serving in every branch of the U.S. military and there are more than two million women Veterans living in the U.S.
VA is honored to provide you with the best health care and benefits to meet your unique needs. Learn more at www.womenshealth.va.gov

LGBTQ+ VETERANS:
YOU BELONG HERE
Your sexual orientation and gender identity
matter. We help you achieve your best health
through high-quality, personalized support in
an affirming and welcoming environment