The Albany VA Minute

This month we were joined by Dr. Susan Opar and Sarah Mulhall, Social Worker. To talk about LGTBQ+ Health to find a local coordinator click here to contact Sarah at: Phone: 518-626-7523 Email: Sarah.mulhall@va.gov

Today we interviewed Scott Zimber of the Saratoga Naval Station Commissary about what services are offered there and how it can support Veterans in the community. If your a Veteran with Service Connected injuries, check it out they also have a new Click2Go program where you can order ahead and pick up

In this Episode we interviewed Jason Davis [(315)744-5409 or jason.davis3@va.gov ] of the Binghamton Vet Center on What the Vet Centers are, what services they offer and why are the one of the VA's best Kept secrets. if you want to locate a Vet Center go to Vetcenter.gov or call the Combat Call Center to find the closest Vet Center to you 1-877-927-8387 With September being Suicide Prevention Month we also have a PSA for the Crisis Line ( 9-8-8 press 1) or go to the Veterans Crisis Line to chat with someone 24/7/365

This episode we are joined by Keith Claffey and Reshma Patel, 2 providers from the VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center (1 800 877 6976). In this episode, we unpacked what the VISN 2 Clinical Call Center is and why it should be your 1st call if your not feeling well. As Keith said "a dedicated healthcare professional is just a phone call or click away."

in this episode we profile Facility Maintenance Service (FMS) supervisor and local legend in FMS Mr. Keith Olmstead

Today we were joined by one of our Favorite Social Workers Rebecca Newton of the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program and Chief of Police Thomas Gibbons to talk about the VJO program, the outstanding Veterans in Crisis Training and National Police week. don't Miss this Episode

Today we are joined by Nikki Holt, one of our Outstanding Social Workers to talk about the Caregiver Support program and some upcoming Caregiver events

Fun Fact: Did You Know that our intro is from the unofficial Albany VA anthem and played by Christina Rulison one of our Recreation Therapists Today we are joined by The Hospital's Local Recovery Coordinator, Senior Social Worker Penny Deasy, to talk about May is Mental Health Awareness Month what it is and what is in store at the Hospital this May. Make sure to like and subscribe to the podcast to get all the episodes delivered to your phone

April 24th through the 28th is Laboratory Professionals Week and today we were joined by Dr. Raina Patel, Chief of Pathology and Heather Merkley-Tamburello, the Lab Manager to discuss All Things related to the lab. We discussed the Lab's function during the pandemic and what they do on a day to day basis which is pretty special. in FY 2022, the Stratton VA lab, staffed 24/7 with medical technologists, processed 1.4 million tests, transfused 650 units of blood, 30 units of plasma, and 70 units of platelets. Give a listen to this Episode.

In a new segment we're calling the "wellness minute" we're discussing the VA2K with Rebeka Lange, Physicians Assistant in Occupational Health which is open to Veterans and Staff on May 17th

In this month's special Episode #3 of April's Dignity and Respect Campaign where our front line staff ask senior leader's the same 5 questions on what Dignity and Respect Campaign means to them. for Episode 2, the Front Office Program Support Specialist Miss Sharon Joyner interviewed the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and one of our neurology providers, Dr. Donald Higgins.

In This Episode we speak with Julie Montalbano, RN and the best Systems Redesign Specialist in the Albany VA, Robert Sklenarik, about Julie's Systems Redesign Project to improve the Veterans Experience during a colonoscopy. To see her video click here.

In this month's special Episode #2 of April's Dignity and Respect Campaign where our front line staff ask senior leader's the same 5 questions on what Dignity and Respect Campaign means to them. for Episode 2, the Front Office Administrative Officer Nicole LaChappelle interviewed the Associate Director of Patient Care Services, Our Chief Nurse, Amy Wettig.

Brief discussion with THE best Systems Redesign Specialist in Albany VA Robert Sklenarik on what Systems Redesign is, LEAN/Sigma Six Blackbelt training and oververiew of what Continuous Process Improvement is

for the Special Episodes on our Dignity and Respect Campaign we will be having front line staff interviewing staff on what it means to them. Today for Episode 1 we have Jamie Golembieski Program Specialist and Marine Veteran, interviewing our High Reliability Officer Mary Ann Jones an Air Force Veteran.