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THE BEACONA Spotlight OnYour VA Health CareUpcoming EventsOCTOBER08 Columbus Day**13 Navy Birthday19 Iowa City Federal Building VA ClinicRibbon Cutting Ceremony (see page 3)NOVEMBERDECEMBER01 Town Hall at Coralville Public Libraryat 12:00pm-1:30pm25 Christmas Day**02 Walk-In Flu Clinic Endsat the Iowa City VA Medical Center10 Marine Corps Birthday24 Cedar Rapids Vet Center Open Housefrom 10:00am-2:00pm (see page 3)11 Veterans Day (Sunday)22 Walk-In Flu Clinic Beginsat the Iowa City VA Medical Center15 Great American Smokeout12 Veterans Day Observed**22 Thanksgiving Day**Iowa City VA Health Care System’s Official Newsletter for Patients** During federal holidays, VA does not provideoutpatient servicesOctober, November, December 2018Page 1

Dear Veterans, Volunteersand Friends of VA,On behalf of the Iowa City VA Health CareSystem (ICVAHCS) staff, I invite you toexplore the first edition of the Iowa CityBeacon, the Iowa City VA newsletter. TheBeacon will be a quarterly publication,so you can stay up to date on everythingthat is happening, including spotlights onhealth care programs, upcoming moves,initiatives, and program updates.Director’s MessageJudith Johnson-Mekota, FACHEFor up-to-date news, find us online:@VAIowaCitywww.iowacity.va.govOne important and exciting change in IowaCity is the relocation of many services tothe Federal Building in downtown IowaCity. This is the old Post Office on SouthClinton street in downtown Iowa City.This building was largely vacant beforethe VA and the Government ServicesAdministration (GSA) partnered to reinventthe space into a dynamic new location forVeteran care and services. You can read onto find out more about the departmentsand services that are moving and what youcan do to be prepared. I am confident thatyou will find added value in the increase inaccess and quality that will accompany thismove.I also want to highlight the number oneclinical priority at the ICVAHCS; suicideprevention. One thing that has becomeabundantly clear to VA is that we cannottackle this problem alone. Research hasshown that the two greatest periodsof risk for suicide among Veterans andservice members is during the transitionto civilian life and for Veterans who arenot yet receiving care with VA. If you arereading this, and know a Veteran who hasnot registered for care at the Iowa CityVA Health Care System, please share theenrollment number with them, 877-222VETS, and help get them the care theyearned.Thank you for taking your time to engagewith the ICVAHCS. If you have questions orcomments, or would like someone from theICVAHCS to attend one of your communityevents, please all us at 1 (800) 637-0128.We look forward to hearing from you.Judith Johnson-MekotaDirector, Iowa City VA Health Care System»» To submit newsletter feedback, please click here.Page 2

OPEN HOUSEat theCedar Rapids Vet Center!October 24th, 201810:00am-2:00pmTour the building, meet the staff,and learn about services offered toVeterans. All are welcome!If you have questions, please call(319) 378-0016.Cedar Rapids Vet Center4250 River Center Court NECedar Rapids, IA 52402Clinics Moving to Downtown Iowa CityIn September and October the following clinicswill be moving to the Iowa City Federal BuildingVA Clinic:400 South Clinton Street,Iowa City, IA 52240Free patient parking is available and shuttleservice will run from the Iowa City VA MedicalCenter to Federal Building VA Clinic.For questions please call the clinic.Chiropractic and Acupuncture (319) 358-4820Compensation and Pension (319) 358-4824Dental Clinic (319) 358-4825MOVE! Program (319) 358-4821Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services(319) 358-4823Prosthetics and Prosthetics Laboratory(319) 358-482IOWA CITY FEDERALBUILDING VA CLINICRIBBON CUTTING CEREMONYFriday, October 19th at 1:00pmfollowed by facility yoursPage 3

Influenza SeasonIs Upon UsThe flu is a contagious virus that spreads throughcoughing or sneezing. It causes thousands ofhospitalizations and deaths every year. Gettingimmunized is the single best way to protectyourself and loved ones from getting sick.The VA and Walgreens have teamed up to makeit easier for Veterans to stay healthy. Protectingyour health is as close as your local VA healthcare clinic, or neighborhood Walgreens.Veterans may receive their flu shot at:WALGREENS STORESEligible Veterans, enrolled inthe VA health care system,no-cost flu shots nowthrough March 31, 2019.Walgreens vaccination isthe seasonal vaccine only. Ifyou need a different type ofvaccine (high dose) contactyour VA Provider.When you visit paticipatingWalgreens for your flu shot: Tell staff you are a Veteranenrolled in VA health care Show VA ID card and asecond form of photo IDIOWA CITY VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEMThe Iowa City VA MedicalCenter and CBOC’s provideno-cost flu shots during: Primary Care or SpecialtyClinic appointments Walk-in clinic Home-based care visitTo learn more, contactyour nearest Iowa City VAaffiliated clinic.NON-VA PROVIDERS,PHARMACIES &EMPLOYERSImmunizations are alsooffered at health fairs, localclinics or events, but theremay be a charge.If you choose this option,please get a written recordof your vaccination toprovide to your VA healthcare provider.»» Link to ICVAHCS Website»» Link to Walgreens WebsitePage 4

ClinicMOVE! is the weight management programfor Veterans and is available at the Iowa CityVA Medical Center and all VA OutpatientClinics (CBOCs). More than 80% of Veterans areoverweight. You are not alone.Hundreds of overweight Veterans have workedwith MOVE! and have success stories. If you areinterested in taking control of your health careand improving your quality of life, join MOVE!Women’s Health ClinicDid you know that women are the fastest growing group within theVeteran population?The Women’s Health Clinic addresses the health care needs ofwomen Veterans and works to ensure timely, equitable, high-quality,comprehensive health care services are provided in a sensitive and safeenvironment. Services include:PRIMARY CAREDr. ShobaJonnalagadda, MDprovides primary care.She and her nursecase manager, TeresaAnderson, RN, providelong-term healthcare for Veterans andcoordinate care acrossservices within the VAand in the community.MENTAL HEALTHDr. Haley Downing,PhD is the staffpsychologist andMilitary Sexual TraumaCoordinator.She provides mentalhealth care to womenVeterans.GYNECOLOGYBeth Strub, ARNP, isthe Women’s HealthNurse Practitioner.She providescontraception care andcounseling, pap Smear,colposcopy, STI testing,preconception healthcounseling, menopausecare, urinary disorderand pelvic pain care.INFERTILITY CAREDr. Ginny L. Ryan,MD MA (Bioethics)FACOG, is Boardcertified in Obstetrics& Gynecologyand ReproductiveEndocrinology &Infertility.MOVE! focuses on what is most important to you: Meet your weight loss goals Become more mobile Prevent disease Lessen pain Improve your quality of lifeNo consult or referral is needed to get startedand you will never be charged a copay. To getstarted, call us today at (319) 358-4821 or visitus at the Federal Building VA Clinic (400 SouthClinton Street, Iowa City, IA).»» Link to MOVE Weight Management ProgramMATERNITY CAREStephanie W.Edmonds, PhD, MPH,RN is the MaternityCare Coordinator.She follows thepregnancy anddiscusses VA benefitsincluding prenatal care(ultrasounds, geneticDr. Ryan providestesting), delivery,care for female andhospital stay, newbornmale Veterans whocare, postpartum care,may need additionalassistance conceiving a breastfeeding supplies,and lactation support.child.BREAST HEALTHAnn Wolf, ARNP,provides breast healthto both male andfemale Veterans.Radiology providesbreast imaging,including breastultrasound, biopsy, andmammogram.To schedule amammogram call (319)338-0581 extension3829 or 3830.FOR QUESTIONSPlease contact Wendy Fahlgren, the Women VeteransProgram Manager, at (319) 338-0581 extension 6900.Page 5

Visual Impairment Services TeamIt is projected that thousands of Veterans in theICVAHCS will experience reduced visual acuityto the point of low vision or legal blindnessduring their life time.The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) isa group of health care professionals dedicatedto connecting visually impaired Veterans witha variety of services available within VA and theVeterans community.The VIST Coordinator helps educate Veteransabout the blind rehab services and benefitswithin VA, including: Service connection Pension reviews Blind aids Prosthetics reviews Referrals for blind rehad interventionA current eye exam is needed for vision lossdiagnosis. Consults may be generated bymedical center staff, community agencies,private eye care professionals, or by the Veteranand their family.The VIST team has partnered with VA CentralIowa HCS, the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital,and the Easter Seals of Iowa to providecomprehensive care focused on delivering toolsand education needed to cope with vision loss.»» Link to VIST Coordinators Web pageVeterans Health Information ExchangeVeterans enrolled and receiving care at VA andcomminity care providers can “Connect YourDocs” through the VeteransHealth Information Exchange(VHIE), formerly known as theVLER Program.VHIE gives VA and participatingcommunity care providerssecure access to certain partsof your electronic healthrecord. This reduces the need for Veterans torequest and carry paper medical records fromone health care provider to another.VHIE exchanges health data with 172healthcare organizations across the Nation,reaching over 1,101 hospitals and thousandsof ambulatory practices! The program alsopartners with Walgreen’s Pharmacy, allowingVA to receive information on activeprescriptions filled at Walgreens.We are exciting to add theUniversity of Iowa Hospitals andClinics to the program!»» Link to Locations Where We “ConnectYour Docs”»» Link to VHIE WebsiteFOR QUESTIONSPlease contact Erin Guthrie at(319) 338-0581 extension 6330.Page 6

Home Oxygen SafetyIF YOU SMOKE, STOP.Smoking is a fire hazard and it will stop the benefitsof oxygen therapy. A patient on oxygen therapyshould not smoke.There is a serious potential danger for fire andinjury to everyone around when you or otherssmoke with oxygen in use. Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from aheat sources, open flames, or electrical devices. Stay away from secondhand smoke filled areas. Have an ABC fire extinguisher in your home. Plan a fire escape route and practice it.Smoking Cessation ResourcesVA SMOKINGQUITLINE1-855-QUIT-VETTobacco quitlines candouble your chanceof quitting comparedto getting no supportat all.STATE QUITLINE1-800-QUIT-NOWThe National CancerInstitute will connectdirectly to your state’stobacco quitline.SMOKEFREE.GOV»» Link to SmokefreewebsiteA free resource forthose wishing to quitsmoking or chewingtobacco.smokefreeVETA free text messagingprogram to providedaily support, adviceand encouragementwhen quitting.VA TOBACCOCESSATIONPROGRAMContact your primarycare team or call(319) 688-3333.VA STAY QUITCOACH APPFor Apple andAndroid devicesQUIT GUIDE APPFor Apple andAndroid devices.Page 7