Director's message october 20, 2023 | va pacific islands health care | veterans affairs

VAPIHCS Veterans, Each October, the Veterans Health Administration observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to honor the contributions of people with disabilities to

VA and the nation, and to continue to foster disability inclusion year-round. This October also marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal

legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities in federal employment. This year’s theme, “Advancing Access and Equity” acknowledges the vital role that people with

disabilities play in creating a strong workforce that reflects the diversity of American society. NDEAM’s theme is particularly important to advancing our mission to care for our Veterans

and their families to include Veterans with service-connected disabilities to ensure they can obtain suitable employment and, to the maximum extent possible, achieve independence in daily

living. This month, we aim to increase cross-cultural awareness and increase psychological safety for those with seen and unseen disabilities. VAPIHCS is committed to advancing diversity,

equity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout the agency. We are better and stronger when we leverage the unique abilities of a diverse workforce. National Disability Employment Awareness

Month is a chance for us to celebrate workers with disabilities and recommit ourselves to dismantling barriers to access and inclusion in the workplace. BREAST HEALTH MONTH October is Breast

Cancer Awareness month, so it’s a good time to remind you that it’s important to get your yearly mammogram after the age of 45, and to talk with your doctor if you notice any new lumps or

skin discoloration at any age. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) has a robust Women’s Health Program, and we’d love to speak with you about other women’s health services you

might be interested in. Call 1-800-214-1306 with any questions. It's also important to keep in mind that men can also get breast cancer. If you feel a lump or have skin discoloration,

don’t assume it’s nothing just because you’re a man. Any time you notice changes in your body, it’s reasonable to get a doctor’s opinion. Early detection saves lives, so talk with your

doctor if you have any concerns. COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER MEMORIAL The VAPIHCS Community Living Center (CLC) will hold a memorial to honor CLC Veterans who have passed in the last year. There

will be a service, music, refreshments, and fellowship from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on October 27, 2023, at 459 Patterson Road, Bldg. 110, Honolulu, HI 96819. To RSVP, contact Chaplain Paige

Morris by calling 808-433-0270 or by emailing her at [email protected]. Staff, Veterans, families, and friends are all welcome to participate. RISING ABOVE PAIN WITH WHOLE HEALTH Sabrina

Jacobs, a U.S. Army Veteran and VA employee, dealt with multiple illnesses and injuries from the daily physical requirements of being a soldier for 26 years. But VA’s Whole Health helped her

return to a full life doing what matters most to her. Her Whole Health journey included acupuncture and other complementary and integrative health practices along with her own self-care.

Speak with your doctor today to learn how Whole Health can help you. UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS On October 21, 2023, VAPIHCS employees will march in the Honolulu Pride Parade and have a

VAPIHCS booth at the festival after the parade. LGBTQ+ Veterans are encouraged to come speak with VAPIHCS staff and ask any questions they may have about gender affirming care, LGBTQ+

friendly providers, or whatever else you want to know. We’re here to help! Additionally, on October 21, 2023, VAPIHCS will hold a PACT Act Registration and Community Call event at Queen

Ka’ahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaahumanu Ave, Space 2809, Kahului, HI 96732 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join us to meet with benefits counselors, access health services, and register for the PACT Act.

On October 28, 2023, VAPIHCS will participate in a Health Fair on the island of Lana’i at Dole Park, Lanai Avenue, Lanai City, HI 96763. Staff will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with

benefits counselors, health services, and PACT Act Registration. We hope you’ll join us! Remember that you do not have to wait for a community event to speak with us. Please call us at

1-800-214-1306 with any questions. THANK YOU TO CHAPLAIN SERVICES At the end of each weekly message, you usually find some thoughtful words from Chaplain Richie Charles or one of the folks

in his department. This week I’d like to give them a break and take some time to thank them for the amazing work that they do. Chaplain Richie is the Chief of Chaplaincy Services, and he’s

also a wonderful presence here at VAPIHCS. He recently went on VAPIHCS Talk Story, and you can listen to that here. I also appreciate his staff Chaplain Reverend Paige Morris, Chaplain

William Kunisch, and Chaplain Jewel Davis. Each of them has signed on to sit with Veterans through hard medical diagnosis, spiritual crisis, and when they pass on. It’s an extremely

meaningful job, and I am grateful for all that they do here. ONE TEAM, ONE OHANA! ADAM M. ROBINSON, JR., MD, MBA, CPE DIRECTOR, VA PACIFIC ISLANDS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM VADM, MC, USN, (RET)

36TH SURGEON GENERAL, USN Stay Informed Website: https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/– submit your email to get our updates Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands/

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