Facility Updates

VA Black Hills Health Care System

VA Nurses Honored

The VA Black Hills Health Care System honored four of its nurses during National Nurses Week festivities at the Fort Meade and Hot Springs, South Dakota VA Medical Centers. The theme of this year's National Nurses Week, May 6 - 12, and was, "Nurses are the True Spirit of Caring."

The four award recipients were Helen Ferrell, RN, a staff nurse in Ambulatory Care at Hot Springs; Victoria Dunsmore, RN, Community Health Coordinator/Case Manager at Hot Springs; Roxanne Johnson, LPN, Medical/Surgical Unit at Fort Meade; and Betty Edelman, NA, Nursing Home Care Unit at Fort Meade. They were selected by a panel of VA Black Hills nursing staff based on their demonstrated excellence in patient-centered care.

The VA Secretary's Awards Program for Excellence in Nursing annually honors one Registered Nurse (RN) in a staff nurse role; one RN in a non-staff clinical role, i.e., case manager, advanced practice nurse, nurse manager, instructor, etc.; Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN); and a Nursing Assistant (NA).

Powwow at VA Black Hills

The VA Black Hills Health Care System hosted its seventh annual powwow on May 8, 2001 at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center's Domiciliary Inner Circle Courtyard. The event was part of VA Black Hills' Native American Awareness Day activities.

In addition, to a meal for all participants and various displays of Native American culture items, the powwow featured several performing dance clubs and special guest Jasmine - member of the Black Hills Hoop Dance Society, 2001 - 2002 World Champion Hoop Dancers in the Teen Division.

"The powwow is a wonderful social event that encourages community involvement and participation in learning more about our Native American culture," said Sharyn Richards, Patient Advocate and Native American Program Manager for VA Black Hills. "Included in this educational process is our desire to better understand the unique health care needs and issues facing Native American veterans so as to continually improve our services to them."

VA Black Hills currently has several outreach clinics and transportation programs for Native American veterans and sponsors an intertribal color guard. Sweats are held for patients at both Fort Meade and Hot Springs VA Medical Centers, and a Native American Advisory Council comprised of tribal veterans organization members and VA Black Hills staff meets quarterly.

VA Needs Summer Youth Volunteers

As the school year comes to an end, VA Black Hills is reminding young adults age 13 - 16 about the value of becoming a VA summer youth volunteer. There are many assignments to choose from, based on areas of interest.

Summer youth volunteers develop new skills, gain job references and experience the satisfaction that comes from giving of themselves for a very worthy cause. VA patients, families, and staff benefit from their enthusiasm and talents. It's truly a win-win program!

To learn more about the VA summer youth volunteer program, or to sign up, contact the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) office at your nearest VA Medical Center.

Minneapolis VAMC

A recent VA Research and Development cooperative study has confirmed findings from a prior study of the use of the drug gemfibrozil in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) events. The results are published in the March 28, 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Hanna Bloomfield Rubins, M.D., M.P.H., Director of General Internal Medicine and Director of the Center for Chronic Disease and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, was one of the co-authors of this study.

The new analysis from the VA High Density Lipoprotein Intervention Trial (VA-HIT) has determined that gemfibrozil, a fibric acid derivative, is not only effective in promoting an increase of HDL cholesterol, but that the increase in HDL cholesterol significantly predicted a reduction in CHD events. HDL cholesterol is also known as "good cholesterol," and low concentrations of HDL cholesterol have long been known to be a major risk factor for CHD.

The study's initial findings were published in a 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). These results demonstrated the gemfibrozil was associated with a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events in conjunction with an increase in HDL cholesterol, a decrease in triglycerides, and no change in LDL cholesterol.

The new analysis demonstrates that although gemfibrozil resulted in a relatively large decrease in triglycerides, only the increase in HDL cholesterol and not the decrease in triglycerides, was a significant predictor of outcome. In addition, on the benefit of therapy that could be attributed to higher levels of HDL cholesterol, researchers found that a large measure of benefit of gemfibrozil has yet to be explained.

Sioux Falls VAM&ROC

VA Secretary Visits Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls VAM&ROC was honored to have Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, visit May 3. Secretary Principi announced the approval of a $3.36 million ambulatory care expansion project to be completed in FY 02. This project will expand capability to provide outpatient services to veterans.

The Secretary also met with service organization representatives, South Dakota Veterans commissioners, Minnesota and South Dakota county veterans service officers, national service officers, veterans and VA staff. In addition, he toured the second phase of the soon-to-be completed transitional care unit, the regional office, and cut the ribbon on the new Veterans Canteen Service Rough Riders Cafe. He was presented a traditional peace pipe by the Santee Sioux Flandreau tribe who participated in the dedication of the cafe.

Armed Forces Day Ceremony

Armed Forces Day ceremonies were held on the grounds of the Sioux Falls VA on May 19, 2001. A formal military program was conducted and 100 men and women of today's armed forces presented 100 American flags in ceremony. Stars and Stripes awards were presented by the Sioux Falls Veterans Council to selected Sioux Falls citizens who proudly fly the American flag year round. The oath of enlistment ceremony, inducting men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces was held as well. Keynote speaker, CDR Scott Meyer, spoke on "Operation Desert Storm: 10 Years Later."

Compensated Work Therapy

The newly developed Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program has now placed seven individuals in work situations, including six in various departments at the Sioux Falls VAMC. The CWT program offers employment opportunities and training in independent living skills focusing on the needs of homeless and other at-risk veterans.

Memorial Day Program

The annual Sioux Falls Memorial Day program will be held on the campus of the Sioux Falls VA Medical & Regional Office Center on May (waiting for exact date and time). David Freestone, Gulf War veteran and registered nurse at the Sioux Falls VAM&ROC will be the keynote speaker. The Sioux Falls municipal band will also perform.

World War II Memorial

The State of South Dakota is erecting a memorial in Pierre to recognize the contributions of South Dakota citizens in World War II. The memorial will consist of six bronze figures representative of the branches of service in which South Dakotans served during World War II.

Orientation for County & Tribal Veterans Service Officers

The annual orientation training for new county and tribal veterans service officers from South Dakota was be held at the Sioux Falls VAM&ROC May 21 - 23, 2001.

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