VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Congratulations to Melissa Pahel, our winner for June. Melissa is a registered nurse with our intensive care unit at our University Drive (UD) campus. She was nominated by a fellow employee for the care and thoughtfulness she expressed for one of our Veterans during his stay at UD. Here is some of what they said about Melissa:

“We had a patient in June whose heart was failing, and his prognosis was not great. He would get glimmers of hope just for them to be taken away. He wanted to go home on hospice, but not before he married his true love.

“Melissa learned on June 8 that the Veteran had set his wedding date for the following day, June 9. The couple wanted 12 to 14 guests to join them in the hospital for the ceremony, but they had not arranged permission to have that many people in a patient’s room at the same time.

“Melissa spent much of June 8 attempting to obtain the required permissions, but she could not secure them in time. Undaunted, the next day -- June 9 – Melissa had the couple’s friends and family gather in UD’s outdoor courtyard. It was there that the Veteran, hooked up to his monitor, and his bride-to-be, were wed. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

“Melissa went above and beyond to make this happen for the couple, noting, ‘The patient is so sweet, he deserves this.’”

If you know a VA Pittsburgh nurse who goes above and beyond, you can nominate them for our monthly DAISY award at https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/programs/daisy-award/ or by asking for a nomination form at our outpatient clinics and inpatient units.

Games on! The Paris 2024 Paralympics are underway with Marine Veteran Eric McElvenny of Bethel Park set to compete on Sept. 1 in the Para Triathlon. Cheering him on in Paris are Dr. Rory Cooper, a VA Pittsburgh research scientist and founder and director of Human Engineering Research Laboratories, and our very own prosthetist/orthotist Andrew Chambers.

Have you heard about our limb loss group and forum? Happening next Wednesday!

Every first Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. this fellowship and information group allows Veterans a safe place to hear and tell stories, find community and learn about navigating life with limb loss. Join to help others get answers, foster camaraderie and feel less alone. Attend virtually or in person at our H.J. Heinz III campus, building 71, room 1C 112.
Check out more information, including how to attend here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3695423190721841/3695423207388506/

Know the signs of fraud and get advice on what to do: for resources on how to identify and protect yourself from scams targeting Veterans, visit VSAFE.GOV or call 1-833-38V-SAFE (8-7233).

Are you struggling with addiction and want help? To learn about treatment options and lifesaving resources such as Narcan, stop by our Overdose Awareness event today, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Can’t make it but want to learn more? Contact our Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders at 412-360-6092.

Take control of your health and prevent a su***de crisis by checking in with your own well-being. To see if depression, stress, or something else might be affecting you, try VA’s anonymous and safe self-check quiz: vetselfcheck.org/welcome.cfm.

We cut the ribbon earlier this month on our new Center for Whole Health and Wellness!

The $1.5 million center provides Veterans with opportunities to participate in whole health activities such as body-composition analyses, yoga, healthy cooking, and indoor and outdoor workouts. Whole health activities are in addition to standard clinical care.

The center is located on our H.J. Heinz III campus in O’Hara Township. If you are enrolled with us for health care here at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) and want to learn if the center is right for you, ask your provider.

For a peek inside the center, see our earlier Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/VAPHS/posts/pfbid02n8QtEwQDCtvMggSoF9qJD1Ge2hjnFsW71Cp8CHb1ePf88CJJKiein7qiXKSyLRhFl.

Want to learn how you can use Narcan to save a life in an overdose emergency? Stop by the atrium at our University Drive campus to speak with a pharmacist during our Overdose Awareness event on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Can’t make it but want to learn more? Contact our Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders at 412-360-6092.

Are you a Veteran? Have you sought or had an abortion? We want to hear from you. To take a brief survey and learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/4d38y6ad.

Getting recommended preventive services, such as screening tests and immunizations, is an important part of staying healthy. To learn about VA’s recommended preventive services, ask your provider or visit https://www.prevention.va.gov/.

Thank you to all who stopped by our Boardwalk in the 'Burgh last Friday to learn about VA benefits while also having some fun!

If you missed the event:
• To learn more about benefits under the two-year-old PACT Act, visit https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/.
• For details on how to apply for VA health care, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/.

In case you missed it, White Oak Vet Center and the YWCA of Westmoreland County invite all women Veterans, active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members to RSVP ASAP to 724-834-9390 join them for an evening of celebration, camaraderie and community on Monday, Aug. 26, from 6-8 p.m.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/447310248304062.

During National Minority Donor Awareness Month, stop by our University Drive atrium today, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon to talk to members of our transplant team on how to become an organ donor. For more information on transplants here at VA Pittsburgh or how to become a donor, visit https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/programs/transplant-program/

In case you missed it, retired Marine Corps Veteran Eric McElvenny of Bethel Park is headed to the 2024 Paris Paralympics to compete in the triathlon. Learn more about this inspirational athlete and how we helped him to prepare for the big race in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2024/08/15/paralympics-eric-mcelvenny-paratriathlon/stories/202408140105.

Rostraver native and former Marine Corps captain off to compete in Paris Paralympics Eric McElvenny’s suitcase for his trip from Pittsburgh to the Paris Paralympics may look a little different from that of the average traveler. Inside:...

It can be really hard to ask for help. But we all need it sometimes. responders are here for you 24/7/365.

"Pittsburgh PA Veterans Hospital is without a doubt, the elite of the elite in cleanliness, service and well-educated staff. They present respect, for us Veterans, in every way. The huge difference at the PGH VA is their deep, actual CARING and concern. We thank Jesus for our VA, and we thank each staff member! I'm soooo blessed and lucky to be able to qualify for their services."
-- Veteran's comment regarding care received at VAPHS.

Are you a Veteran who is not enrolled in VA health care? To find out if you are eligible to enroll in VA health care:
• Call VA toll-free at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/
• Download the mailable VA Form 10-10EZ at https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ez/. Send the completed 10-10EZ with a copy of your DD214 to VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Attn: Patient Registration, University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15240.

We hosted a sendoff on Thursday for retired Marine Corps Veteran Eric McElvenny of Bethel Park as he prepares to depart for the 2024 Paris Olympics to compete in the Para triathlon. Learn about McElvenny and how our prosthetics staff helped him to prepare in KDKA-TV | CBS Pittsburgh's news story at https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-area-triathlete-paralympic-games/.

Pittsburgh-area triathlete heading to Paralympic Games in Paris The Paralympic games start soon in Paris, and one of the athletes representing the U.S. is from Bethel Park.

Today is the day! Free food! Fun games! Great entertainment! DUNK TANK!
We can’t wait to see YOU at our Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TODAY, Aug. 16, on our H.J. Heinz III campus.

Bring your family and Veteran friends for:
• Free hot dogs, chips and cold beverages!
• Co****le with friends!
• Dunk tank featuring VA staff!
• Face painting for kids!
• Touch a truck (police vehicle)!
• Live entertainment with Navy Veteran Richard “Doc” Mondak of Rust Bucket!
• Information on VA benefits!
• Womens health Q&A
• And more!

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting for our new Center for Whole Health and Wellness.

Families, children and significant others welcome! Bring a Veteran friend, whether or not enrolled in VA health care. Get all the details at https://www.facebook.com/events/422588984083582/.

We’re excited to share our new Center for Whole Health and Wellness with you this Friday. Come check it out at after the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting at our H.J. Heinz III campus, behind building 71. Center tours will be in conjunction with our health and benefits fair, Boardwalk in the 'Burgh.

REMINDER! One day to go!

Where can you enjoy free hot dogs and cold drinks, dunk VA staff in a big old tank of ice-cold water, play co****le with friends and learn more about your VA benefits? At our Boardwalk in the ‘Burg this Friday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on our H.J. Heinz III campus!

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting for our new Center for Whole Health and Wellness.

Get all the details now at https://www.facebook.com/events/422588984083582/.

During National Minority Donor Awareness Month, stop by our University Drive atrium this Monday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon to talk to members of our transplant team on how to become an organ donor. For more information on transplants here at VA Pittsburgh or how to become a donor, visit https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/programs/transplant-program/

Two days to the big event – and YOU are the guest of honor!
Stop by our Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh this Friday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on our Heinz campus for:

• Free hot dogs, chips and cold beverages
• Co****le with friends
• Dunk tank featuring VA staff
• Face painting for kids
• Touch a truck (police vehicle)
• Live entertainment with Navy Veteran Richard “Doc” Mondak of Rust Bucket
• Information on VA benefits
• Womens health Q&A
• And more!

Families, children and significant others welcome! Bring a Veteran friend, whether or not enrolled in VA health care. Get all the details at https://www.facebook.com/events/422588984083582/.

We were honored when Marine Corps Veteran Eric McElvenny asked us to support him as he prepared for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and we look forward to joining his team when he competes in the Para triathlon. Learn more about McElvenny and his quest for gold at https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/stories/va-pittsburgh-teams-up-with-veteran-headed-to-paris-paralympics-0/.

Don’t miss your once-in-a-lifetime chance to send VA staff plunging into a vat of ice-cold water! Oh, and did we also mention – free food, co****le and live entertainment!

Stop by our Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh this Friday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on our H.J. Heinz campus for:

• Free hot dogs, chips and cold beverages
• Co****le with friends
• Dunk tank featuring VA staff
• Face painting for kids
• Touch a truck (police vehicle)
• Live entertainment with Navy Veteran Richard “Doc” Mondak of Rust Bucket
• Information on VA benefits
• Womens health Q&A
• And more!

Families, children and significant others welcome! Bring a Veteran friend, whether or not enrolled in VA health care. Get all the details at https://www.facebook.com/events/422588984083582/.

Meet Dr. Scott Herrle, chief and clinical director of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System’s Division of Whole Health.

Reminder: the ribbon cutting for our Center for Whole Health and Wellness is just a few days away, Friday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. Stop by our H.J. Heinz III campus behind building 71 to celebrate with us!

Q. Are you or a family member a Veteran?
A. I am not a Veteran but have multiple family members who have served. My father was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. My paternal grandfather served in the Army during WWII and my maternal grandfather served in the Army during the Korean War. More recently, my brother-in-law recently separated from the Army after serving as a special operations combat medic.

Q. Tell me a little about your job here at VA Pittsburgh.
A. In my role as clinical director of the Whole Health Program and chief of the Division of Whole Health, I oversee the day-to-day operations of all of our whole health offerings at VA Pittsburgh. Those offerings help to support Veterans in their journeys to health and wellness. The programs include Gerofit, Vetfit, MOVE!, massage therapy, health coaching, tai chi and more.

Q. Why did you want to work at VA, and how long have you been at VA Pittsburgh?
A. Serving Veterans is truly an honor. I first had the privilege of working with Veterans when I was a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine from 1999-2003. I continued to work with Veterans during my internal medicine residency, chief residency and general internal medicine fellowship. I have been serving as a primary care provider at VAPHS for the past 15 years and have been involved with whole health since September of 2021.

Q. What’s your favorite part of your job here?
A. The best part of my job is getting to interact with Veterans every day and seeing how our whole health services positively impact their lives. Veterans are truly inspirational and amaze me every day in their ability to overcome adversity no matter what challenges they face. I also love being part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds that works together to provide excellent care to Veterans.

Q. Where are you from originally or what brought you to Pittsburgh?
A. I am a native “Yinzer” and have been fortunate to do all my medical training in Pittsburgh and stay here for my professional career.

Q. What’s your favorite or dream vacation?
A. The best part of vacations is getting to spend time with my family. The vacation may only last for a short period, but the memories are forever and last a lifetime. I would love to travel to the Pacific Northwest and hope to take my daughters to Paris some day!

Q. Why is whole health so important?
A. Whole health changes the focus of health care from downstream disease management to upstream disease prevention and health promotion by focusing on factors that influences one’s health such as exercise, nutrition, sleep and mood. Additionally, whole health helps Veterans to identify what matters most in their lives and find their purpose.

Q. Tell me more about some activities and events you’re excited about that Veterans can do through the Center for Whole Health and Wellness.
A. The Center for Whole Health and Wellness is going to serve as the hub for our whole health program. It has many exciting features for Veterans, including a gym, an interactive kitchen, group exercise rooms, a group education room and an outdoor courtyard with raised garden beds. We even have an auxiliary library that Veterans can borrow books on a variety of different topics to help support them in their journeys. Veterans have been involved in the design our center and their input has resulted in a number of features that makes this space so special. For example, Veterans requested to have a shadow box to display their unit patches, a source of pride for Veterans. Based on Veteran input, we were able to include this at the gym entrance. I am really excited to share this state-of-the-art facility with everyone during our ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Whole health is growing at VA Pittsburgh! Check out just some of what our program has to offer. Veterans are already enjoying the newly renovated Center for Whole Health and Wellness at our H.J. Heinz III campus. You can come see it too at our ribbon cutting event this Friday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. Click the link below for more info.

Tours of the center will kick off after the ribbon cutting in conjunction with our Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh health and wellness fair. Stick around for free food, live entertainment, a dunk tank, children’s activities and more!



Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

https://www.facebook.com/events/846287854129538/?ref=newsfeed

Send a message to learn more

Are you a Veteran with a service-connected disability who was separated from the military under other than honorable conditions through either an administrative discharge or by special court martial? Under a recent rule change, you might now be eligible for VA benefits and health care.

To meet face-to-face with a VBA representative to check your eligibility, stop by our H.J. Heinz III campus during Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh on Friday, Aug. 16, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Can’t make it? For ways to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a representative in VBA’s Pittsburgh regional office, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/pittsburgh/.

Where can you have your womens health questions answered and have a great time learning about your VA benefits? Our Boardwalk in the ‘Burgh! Stop in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 16 on our Heinz campus and while you are here, visit the Learning Exchange in building 71 at 1 p.m. for a Q&A session with Nicole McCune, our Women Veteran Program manager.

Also enjoy:
• Free hot dogs, chips and cold beverages
• Co****le with friends
• Dunk tank featuring VA staff
• Face painting for kids
• Touch a truck (police vehicle)
• Live entertainment with Navy Veteran Richard “Doc” Mondak of Rust Bucket
• Information on VA benefits
• And more – check back often for updates!

Families, children and significant others welcome! Bring a Veteran friend, whether or not enrolled in VA health care.

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting for our new Center for Whole Health and Wellness.

Get all the details at https://www.facebook.com/events/422588984083582/.