Congratulations NDVS Healthcare Services team!

The not-for-profit organization Community Partners for Better Health hosted their Community Health Advocate Awards on 2022 on Friday, June 24th virtually on Zoom. The Nevada Department of Veterans Services is proud to announce that the healthcare services program managers, Sarah Hogue and Rachel Jelenic, were recognized with this esteemed award for their work on suicide prevention and special healthcare initiatives.  

“We are proud of our Healthcare Services team for receiving this award and honor,” said Fred Wagar, NDVS Director. “Their work in suicide prevention and education to Nevada’s health care providers on the unique medical needs of veterans is critical to ensuring our veterans, servicemembers and their families receive the resources, information and most importantly, the care they need, when they need it the most.” 

Sarah and Rachel spearhead many programs aimed at identification, education, prevention, and connection. Sarah, Suicide Prevention Program Manager, is the co-lead for the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) and is the liaison to the four Mayor’s Challenge teams, located in Las Vegas, Truckee Meadows, Elko, and Winnemucca. These 5 teams work to (1) identify SMVF and screen for suicide; (2) promote connectedness and care transitions; and (3) increase lethal means safety. As Healthcare Champions Program Manager, Rachel focuses on educating healthcare providers on the military exposures and unique health conditions associated with military service. She also oversees initiatives for caregiving, adaptive sports, telehealth, social support, and more.  

Community Partners for Better Health is a Las Vegas based organization focused on two objectives: (1) creating and promoting public awareness education and (2) facilitating health screenings and workshops on disease and health behaviors that disproportionately exist among people of color. The coalition membership is composed of healthcare professionals, healthcare providers, community citizens and the faith community. This award ceremony was the 13th of its kind with the goal of honoring professionals who have demonstrated exceptional and extraordinary achievement in public health care, disease prevention, health education, and other health related special achievements.