VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
Director's Message May 1, 2020
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System recognizes and celebrates the contributions of our Asian American,
Aloha, Talofa, Hafa Adai Veterans,
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System recognizes and celebrates the contributions of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Veterans. Thank you for all that you done have to serve and protect our nation!
Today is also May Day! Leis hold a lot of significance and symbolism here in Hawaii, and I’m reminded of how much a lei represents the aloha spirit. Our celebrations may look a little different right now, but we still continue to share that aloha spirit with you, our Veterans. We are here for you, providing you with care during this time of uncertainty.
With all this uncertainty you may also experience stress. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. VA is observing Mental Health Month by emphasizing that “Now Is the Time.” Even during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to prioritize mental health. VAPIHCS is committed to providing high-quality mental health care while keeping you safe from exposure to the coronavirus. To help reduce the risk of infections at VAPIHCS sites of care, we’ve asked that Veterans use VA’s online resources (telephone or video appointments, online prescription refills, text message reminders, etc.) to help protect you and staff from contracting COVID-19. These resources are available for your mental health and other medical needs.
Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are able to leverage technology to make sure that you and our staff are as safe as possible during this time. Virtual and telephonic health care is always an option to support your health care needs. Please call us to see how we can assist you at 1(800) 214-1306 or see some of our resources below.
COVID COACH APP
https://www.mobile.va.gov/app/covid-coach
The COVID Coach app was created for everyone, including Veterans and Service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Features:
- Education about coping during the pandemic
- Tools for self-care and to improve emotional well-being
- Trackers to check your mood and measure your growth toward personal goals
VA offers Veterans a variety of at-home resources, including the following:
Telephone or Video Appointments – Veterans should maintain their existing healthcare appointments — and may receive care at home — using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can send their health care provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov. You can learn more about VA Video Connect at mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect or by calling 1 (800) 214-1306.
Prescription Refills and Safety – Veterans should continue taking all medications as prescribed and talk to their health provider if they have any concerns. Veterans may request prescription refills and order shipments of medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app, which can be downloaded at mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill. VA’s Safe Home Environment handout provides information on safely storing medications in the home. We also have Drive-thru Pharmacy service at the VA Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Clinic Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Text Message Reminders – Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to receive automated text messages with information about COVID-19. This application helps Veterans monitor their symptoms and enables Veterans to contact their VA facility for care. Veterans may enroll in the app at mobile.va.gov/annie.
Mental Health Information and Resources – VA provides information on ways for Veterans and their families to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. Information about managing stress and anxiety, as well as mental health resources, are available at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/resources.
For more information on ways for Veterans to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus.
Drive-Thru Pharmacy
We have created a Drive-Thru Pharmacy for your convenience.
Instead of parking in the parking lot, proceed to the open lot next to the VA Clinic on the west side of the Spark Matsunaga Medical Center. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We will expand as needed. You can refill your prescription, have a new prescription processed, pick-up medications or receive immunizations while remaining in your car.
VAPIHCS is actively working with state, county, and federal partners including the medical community in Hawaii to ensure our Veterans are receiving their care in the safest and most effective manner.
If you would like to be seen through Telehealth Options:
- Veterans are encouraged to consider using VA’s telehealth and virtual care options like VA Video Connect.
- Clinical staff are available to provide Veterans with virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage.
- Veterans experiencing flu or cold symptoms are encouraged to stay home unless urgent medical treatment is needed.
- VAPIHCS Call Center at (808) 433-0600 or 1 (800) 214-1306 before coming to a VA facility.
Please note that if you are asked to come in for a face to face appointment, we ask that you wear a mask to protect yourself and our staff. Additionally, due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, and out of concern for you, we continue to honor physical distancing guidelines and may not allow you into our clinics if you do not have a confirmed appointment or emergent need to be seen face to face by a provider. We will continue to offer drive up pharmacy and immunization clinics as well as coronavirus screenings until we are able to safely resume to normal operations
Please join us for our first VA Virtual Town Hall on Facebook Live!
VHA, VBA & NCA Directors will host Virtual Town Hall
WHO: Veterans, their families and survivors, and any organizations or individual who works with or on behalf of Veterans
WHAT: Virtual Town Hall
WHERE: Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 1-2 p.m.
WHY: To share information, resources, hear feedback from customers and answer questions on VA
health care, benefits, and memorial affairs.
SUBMIT your questions in advance to: VAPIHCSPublicAffairsOffice@va.gov by Thursday, May 7, 2020. This will help us ensure we are able to answer as many questions as possible during this one hour virtual town hall.
VA Video Connect (VVC) New Veteran Orientation Online:
1st and 3rd Tuesday – 1300-1400
2nd and 4th Tuesday – 1100-1200
Call 1-800-214-1306 to schedule an appointment
Month of May Holiday and Special Event hours:
May 10 Sunday (Mother’s Day) - VA ACC clinic services remain open
May 23 Saturday - VA ACC services remain open
May 24 Sunday - VA ACC and CBOC’s closed for services
May 25 Monday (Memorial Day) - VA ACC and CBOC’s closed for services
KEEP INFORMED:
- www.hawaii.va.gov – submit your email to get our updates
- NEW VAPIHCS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/va_pacific_islands/
- Weekly Radio VA Updates: TUESDAYS 9:30 a.m. on AM830 KHVH with Rick Hamada. THURSDAYS 8:30 a.m. on AM690 The Answer - Aligned with Veterans hour with Mike Buck.
Stay Safe! Remember, we are here for you!
Kathryn Ryder, MD, MS
Acting Medical Center Director
