The 9 Line

Episode 74 - You Shouldn’t Have to Worry

On our last episode, we highlighted the fact that September is National Suicide Prevention Month and talked about some of the issues surrounding Veteran Suicide.  One of the issues we didn't address is the barrier that some Veterans feel exists when they need to access immediate care to keep themselves safe from self-harm and they are not exactly sure how it works or how much it will cost them.  Those barriers and the feeling that getting help may worsen the problem by putting them in medical debt is being addressed thanks to the passage of the COMPACT Act, allowing Veterans to get free emergency medical care relating to immediate suicide concerns.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Natalie Wells, COMPACT Act Coordinator and Sheika Adams, Nurse Manager for Transitional Care Community Inpatient, about what the COMPACT Act means for Veterans, some of the types of care covered under this new benefit, and how the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is leading the way for the VA as a whole in implementing this new legislation.

Episode 73 - The Right Direction

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the VA's top clinical priority is preventing suicide among all Veterans, whether they seek their medical care here or not.  When it comes to Veteran suicide, the one statistic you may have heard most prominently is "22 Veterans a day take their own life."  Whether it is on Social Media posts, in conversations with friends or even on bumper stickers, "22 A Day" has become synonymous with the fight to prevent Veterans from ending their own lives.  But, is that number still accurate, and is that number getting smaller?

On this episode of The 9 Line, we'll speak with Joe Lasky, VASNHS Suicide Prevention Program Manager, about the steps the VA is taking to combat Veteran Suicide, how that is impacting the numbers, and examine some of the reasons Veterans choose to end their lives.  We'll also let you know how you can help a Veteran in crisis or get help if you are that Veteran.  

Episode 72 - Winning Gold

If you're a follower of the show, you know we've had multiple conversations with folks involved in managing our Adaptive Sports programs, which help Veterans who have experienced limb loss or some other debilitating condition get out and be active.  However, we've never really had a chance to talk to the Veterans themselves who are a part of these programs and gotten their perspective on what Adaptive Sports means to them.  Last month, the 42nd National Veteran Wheelchair Games wrapped up and we here at The 9 Line felt that would be a great opportunity to have some of our Adaptive Athletes come on the show and talk about their experiences.

On this episode, we'll chat with Marine Corps Veteran Jason Kelley and Army Veteran LeToi Adams about their trip to the Wheelchair Games and their successes, how Adaptive Sports helped them in their recovery journey, and more.

Episode 71: A 5-star Experience

On July 26th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognized the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System with a 5-star rating in their Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings.  The CMS uses 5 categories to determine if hospitals are doing a good job in the realms of safety of care, mortality, readmissions and timely and effective care.  Achieving a rating of 5-stars just doesn't happen out of the blue, it takes a devotion to a culture of care and excellence to make a rating that high a reality.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we talk to VASNHS Executive Director Bill Caron and Grace Cortez, our High Reliability Organization Coordinator, about what it takes to set that culture in motion, where we draw our cultural or practice inspiration from, and much more.

Episode 70 - PACT Act, One Year Later

The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, signed into law in August 2022.  In just under a year, the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System has screen approximately 48,000 Veterans for toxic substance exposure under the PACT Act, helping to get about half of that number on their way to filing claims for conditions resulting from those exposures.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we talk to Dr. Monica Rawlinson-Maynor, Facility PACT Act Champion and Matthew Boles, Environmental Health Registry Coordinator, about what the PACT Act has meant for Southern Nevada Veterans, the continued outreach to inform Veterans about the benefits available to them thanks to the PACT Act, and much more.

Episode 69 - It’s O.K. To Not Be O.K.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, is something that impacts countless Veterans and if untreated, can have serious consequences for Veterans and for those around them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, those suffering from PTSD may relive a life-threatening event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Dr. Pamela Finder, PTSD Clinic Program Coordinator, about what exactly qualifies as PTSD, how the VA is uniquely equipped to help Veterans suffering from PTSD, and more.

Episode 68 - Pride Month

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is committed to creating a welcoming environment and improving healthcare for everyone, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Veterans.  Part of that welcoming environment is recognizing June as Pride Month, where we celebrate the members of our LGBTQ+ Veteran community and help inspire, educate, and inform Veterans about how we provide an affirming and respectful environment where Veterans can feel comfortable being their true selves.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we talk to Sora Lee, our LGBTQ+ Special Emphasis Program Manager, and Tresa Hanshew, LGBTQ+  Patient Care Coordinator about how we'll be recognizing Pride Month, how care for our LGBTQ+ Veterans has evolved over the years, and more.

Episode 67 - Faster, Higher, Stronger

Recreational Therapy and Adaptive Sports programs provide Veterans with opportunities for health and healing through a multitude of sports and art programs. These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life.  Additionally, they give Veterans an opportunity who may be of a more competitive spirit and outlet to compete against other Veterans.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Everett Lowery, Adaptive Sports Program Coordinator about how we've revitalized our Rec Therapy programs to expand the opportunities for Veterans to participate and what it has taken to send an entire team to the upcoming Wheelchair Games in Portland, Oregon in July.

Episode 66 - A Welcoming Place

Going to any hospital can be a stressful experience.  The buildings are usually large and it can be easy to get lost, you may have questions about if you're in the right place, and you may not know exactly who you need to talk to.  Going to a VA hospital can be doubly stressful when you add in benefits and enrollment requirements and a whole slew of other things unique to VA care.  The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System recognizes Veterans can sometimes have a multitude of questions before they even check in for an appointment, and that's why we recently cut the ribbon on our brand new Welcome Center at our North Las Vegas Medical Center to help Veterans find the answers they need when they come to the hospital.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with two of our Patient Navigators about the role the Welcome Center plays, what it means to Veterans and staff to have this resource available, and much more.

Episode 65 - Get On The Move

For many people, warmer weather means an uptick in the amount of physical activity they end up doing, as they get outside, take walks, and start shaking off the winter rust.  That also holds true at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare system as we use the spring to stress activity among both our Veterans and our Staff through many initiatives, including the upcoming VA2K Walk and Roll. 

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Lauren McKinney, Employee Whole Health Program Manager and Caress Baltimore, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program Manager about who can participate in the VA2K, what we're doing to get our employees on the move, and much more!