---

By Chuck N. Baker 
(North Las Vegas) – The Department of Veterans Affairs and its arm in North Las Vegas (the Southern Nevada Healthcare System) regularly presents town hall meetings at its facility. The semi-formal gatherings inform veterans, political representatives and others interested in current programs about the latest details concerning health care and related topics.  
 
At such a meeting held on July 13, Peggy Kearns, Director of the local DVA healthcare system, explained the Top Five priorities issued by the new Veterans Affairs Secretary in Washington, Dr. David Shulkin. 
 
Using a Power Point presentation, the priorities were shown in order as Greater Choice, Modernize Systems, Focus Resources, Improve Time Lines and “last but not least,” Kearns punctuated, Suicide Prevention. 
 
Of some interest, on a related note not mentioned at the Town Hall, the DVA has long held out a separate list of five “core values” that underscore the obligations inherent in its mission. Those five items are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence. The DVA has stated in the past that those values define “who we are,” its culture, and how it cares for veterans and their eligible beneficiaries. The five first letters of those values spell out “I CARE.”  
 
DVA team members at the Town Hall also mentioned The PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team) Program, which allows for same-day health care. Its focus is whole-person care and life-long health and wellness. Goals include: partnerships between veterans and health care teams; access to care enhanced through a variety of methods; coordinated care among all team members; and team-based care with veterans at the center of their PACT. 
 
A recent addition coming to DVA health services is emergency mental health care for veterans with other than honorable discharges. Kearns estimated that as many as 500,000 could be eligible for that benefit. 
 
In other information provided at the meeting, local Director of Veterans Benefits Shelia Jackson noted that the time for veterans claims to be reviewed has been cut to 125 days. Going back some years research shows claims slowly being reduced from 12 months, to nine months to six months, and now to four months. More than that, Jackson said the DVA continues to do better, shooting for 30 days or less. Then she quipped, “We can’t do same day claims. Wouldn’t that be nice?!”  
 
Dr. Ramu Komanduri, chief of staff at the North Las Vegas facility, spoke about pain management. He indicated that advances have been made in that area of medicine through medication and via physical movement. Separately the DVA lists six essential elements of pain care, which are listed here in abbreviated versions: Education for veterans and families; education for all team members; development and integration of non-pharmacological modalities; institution of evidence based medication prescriptions; implementation of approaches to bring the whole team together; and establishment of metrics to monitor pain care and outcomes.  
 
Chief of Veterans Experience Jennifer Gerrib spoke briefly about the local Veterans and Family Advisory Board. Currently there are seven members who volunteer and provide input as needed. The members are Jerry Adams, Cindy Edmonson, Jack Ford, Manny Garcia, John Kennedy, Edward Wright and Ken Schockley.  
 
Kearns indicated that the North Las Vegas medical operation was on track, and said that in this fiscal year her agency thus far has treated a total of 56,000-plus veterans, and handled some 615,544 out-patient visits. In addition to those numbers, the clinic was able to positively juggle “close to 900,000 phone calls.” In reviewing those numbers, it would seem that few callers if any had to ask, “Can you hear me now?”  
 
In other news, Kearns and other VA representatives on the Town Hall panel explained the recent Veteran Appointment Request app (VAR) that can be used to schedule appointments with a veteran’s VA Care Team. In order to use the app, a veteran will need a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account. Details about the app and how to use it can be found at mobile.va.gov/dslogon. Or the same information can be accessed by calling (800) 983-0937. The program is being touted under the slogan “Your Life, Your Health, Your Schedule.” 
 
And on the topic of schedules, the next Town Hall is scheduled for October 26. It will be held off-site at the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) facilities in Las Vegas.