The 9 Line

Episode 22 - Veteran's Justice

There are almost 200,000 Veterans housed in America's jails and prisons. While that may seem like a small number compared to the Veteran population as a whole, Veterans account for almost 7% of the total incarcerated population.  However, just because a Veteran may be involved in the criminal justice system, that doesn't mean the VA leaves them without resources.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Davida Cohen, Veteran Justice Outreach Program Specialist, and Jennifer Yanez from our Healthcare for Reentry Veterans Program about what we're doing to help keep Veterans out of jail through diversionary programs like Veteran Treatment Courts, and the kind of assistance we provide Veterans who are about to regain their freedom, to ensure they don't find themselves back on the wrong side of the law.

Episode 21 - Gettin' Around

When you talk about Veterans who need prosthetics, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is someone who lost a limb in battle.  While combat-wounded Veterans are certainly patients we see in our Prosthetics Department, we also help a lot of Veterans with non-combat injuries.  Whether it is someone who has lost a limb due to diabetes, or someone who needs help with wheelchairs and adaptive home equipment after an auto accident, Prosthetics is there to make sure their mobility needs are met.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Deb Bolda and Joel Stunz about the ways we can help Veterans with mobility needs, how Prosthetics has evolved and what the future holds, and what sets the VA apart when it comes to getting Veterans back on their feet.

Episode 20 - Vaccine Hesitancy

The United States has delivered over 170 million COVID-19 vaccines across the country, and in five months vaccine production has ramped up so significantly that any enrolled Veteran who wants the vaccine can walk into our North Las Vegas Medical Center and get one.  However, despite that widespread availability, there is still a significant portion of the population who is very hesitant to get the vaccine.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak again with Dr. Jason Dazley and Dr. Myron Kung about the issues surrounding vaccine hesitancy, ranging from safety and efficacy concerns, to mis- and dis-information on the internet, and some of the ways they work to convince those with issues to get the jab.

Episode 19 - Making Eating Right Easy

There are many different specialty clinics here at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System that treat a wide variety of issues and ailments.  But while not everyone who walks in the door to our facilities will visit Oncology or need to undergo dialysis, everyone we treat does require healthy nutrition.  Cooking a good, healthy meal is something some folks enjoy, but there are others who see eating healthy as a hassle that takes up too much time, or makes for a boring meal.

 

That's where our Healthy Teaching Kitchen program comes into play.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, we'll speak with three members of our dietary staff about the work they're doing to educate Veterans on how they can prepare healthy, easy meals in their own homes, and talk about how you can get into those programs and what you can expect once you're signed up.

 

Bon appetit!!! 

Episode 18 - The Glue

Many Veterans who seek care with the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System will have issues that can't be solved strictly through medical or clinical needs, or they'll need help from sources outside of our VA umbrella.  Whether it is seeking care for addiction issues, getting assistance to see someone through a time of homelessness, or just being an advocate for someone, our social workers are the ones who frequently connect Veterans with the myriad of services they need.

 

On this episode of The 9 Line, Polly Kong, Inpatient Specialty Social Work Supervisor, and Gigi Simmons, Healthcare for Homeless Vets Program Coordinator join us to talk about all the work VASNHS Social Workers are doing on a daily basis to guide Veterans to the help they need.

Episode 17 - The Primary Care Model

One of the things that sets the care the VA Southern Nevada Health Care system apart from other health care facilities is our Primary Care method of delivering service.  Under this model, instead of having just one doctor, our Veterans are treated by a team of providers who are all networked together to get our Veterans the right care as soon as possible.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we talk with Dr. Marion Tan, Acting Chief of Primary Care, and Dr. Monica Rawlinson-Maynor, Chief of Administrative Medicine about the benefits of the Primary Care model, why they prefer it to other systems they've worked under, and how COVID-19 has caused them to streamline and improve this already innovative process.

Episode 16 - Nurses Make The World Go 'Round

Throughout the COVID Pandemic, VASNHS nurses have been one of the most vital components to our response.  Not only have they continued to provide high-quality bedside care to patients, but they were frequently thrown into situations that aren't part of their core missions, such as being the first screeners at our doors and filling out call centers as we shifted to virtual care.

However, a nursing corps like ours doesn't just happen...it's nurtured and fostered through a number of initiatives.  

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Mr. Bill Caron, our Executive Director, and Dr. Desiree Crawford, our acting Nurse Executive, about our approach to growing a professional nursing corps, how our nurses have a voice that matters within our facilities, and the impact of being recognized as a Pathways to Excellence-certified facility for our nursing practices.

Episode 15 - Women's Health

While the number of women who have joined the military has risen dramatically in the recent years, they still represent only a fraction of the total Veteran population.  However, just because our female Veterans are a small part of the total patients we serve it doesn't mean they only get a fraction of the resources they deserve.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak with Jenny Childers, the VISN 21 Special Populations Program Manager, and Alexandra Allen, our Women's Health Medical Director about some of the issues around Women's Health for Veterans, how COVID-19 has impacted delivering health care to women, and the growing focus on Women's Health within the VA.

 

 

Episode 14 - A Shot in the Arm

Covid-19 vaccines are approved and going out to medical facilities around the country, including the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System.  But who is eligible to get them?  How many Veterans have we been vaccinating so far?  Those are just some of the questions people are asking about the vaccine now that it is being rolled out nationwide.

On this episode of The 9 Line, we talk to Dr. Felix Acevedo, the VASNHS Emergency Manager, and Eric Lord, our Acting Deputy Nurse Executive, join us to discuss the rollout of the vaccine, how our planning has held up now that its been put into action, and where we're going from here.

Episode 13 - The Vaccine

On Thursday, Dec 10th, the FDA is expected to announce Emergency Use Authorization for the first of many COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline seeking approval.  Shortly after that authorization, the vaccine will be distributed across the country to start vaccination of our most vulnerable populations.

However, we know many people still have concerns and questions about the vaccine.  Is it safe considering how quickly it was developed?  How does this vaccine work?  Once I am vaccinated, do I need to still wear a mask?

On this episode of The 9 Line, we speak again with Dr. Jason Dazley and Dr. Myron Kung about a wide range of vaccine questions, including safety, efficacy, and how we're determining who is in that "high-risk" category to get the first shots when they are available.