The Albany VA Minute: Recent Episodes
The Albany VA Minute
The Albany VA minute is a monthly podcast, intent to bring you content on current events and what’s coming down the road. Mixed in will be special features we hope will be of interest to you
this month Sarah Mulhall our LGTBQ+ Coordinator interviewed Jae Ward on her experiences as an LGTBQ+ Veteran.
If you have questions on the services offered at Albany VA or questions about what's coming up for PRIDE give Sarah a Call at 518 414 6327
On May 23 2024, FMS employee Jason Sprague and VA Police Officer Carlos Romero were presented HERO awards for their actions to put our a fire at the facility earlier in the year. This is a copy of the awards presentation for our audience.
Safety Story read by Joe McDonnell and awards presented by Medical Center Director Darlene Delancey
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.
In episode #1 of a new episodic segment we call Profiles in Services, Annette Towne who has worked at the Albany VA for 39 years as a registered nurse (RN) in various capacities talks about her experiences working with Veterans and shares some lessons learned over her career, it is a must listen.
Continuing with the theme of March is Social worker month, we interviewed Michelle Chavarria and Jennifer Stilleto-Smith, the Social workers for our Community Engagement and Partnership team on the role social workers play role in the Mission of serving Veterans, and on their new roles engaging and partnering with the Community. If your interested in contacting Jen and Michelle you can contact Jennifer at 518 248 0824 ( jennifer.stilettosmith@va.gov) and Michelle at 518 421 6576 (michelle.chavarria@va.gov)
If you are interested in more stay tuned as on May16, we will be hosting a Mental health fair on the grounds of the hospital in Building 67 (across the street from Panera) from 8AM-4PM. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a minute
Social workers play a crucial role in the Mission of serving Veterans, they are healthcare force multipliers and key members of the healthcare team. today we interviewed three social workers about their experiences about being interns (a tie in to last weeks episode on healthcare professions education week) and their current roles serving Veterans.
If you are interested in more stay tuned as in May we will be hosting a Mental health fair and a Caregiver support fair as part of Mental Health Awareness month. subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a minute
March is Social Work Month and March 14-18 is health Professions Education Week so today we were joined by Karen Sheehan Social Worker Supervisor and Rachel Gates, Jonathan Gay Social Work Interns to discuss Social Work Month and Health Professions Education Week
Join Lindsay Shoonmaker, RN in our GI program in a brief presentation on the importance of early screening and detection. to watch a video on this presentation click here or check out the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center Facebook Page
if you have further questions you can contact the GI Clinic at 518 626 6385 or the GI Care Manager at 518 626 6312
Welcome Back we are rebooting our Podcast in 2023 to talk about the PACT Act, Outreach, the services offered at the Hospital, highlighting our staff and other events.
To help us kick off our goal of recruiting 2,020 new Veterans in 2020 we interviewed primary care physician Dr. Rachael Grimm and Fisher house manager Mike Fitzpatrick on all that Primary care and the Fisher House have to offer.
This is an audio recording of the facility’s June 5, 2019 Mission Act Facebook live event with Kirsten Danforth, Mission Act Champion and Mary Ann Jones, Community Care Program Manager. To learn more visit https://missionact.va.gov
Episode 4.3 - Get to know the Community Living Center (CLC)
To learn more general information on Community Living Centers click Here, for specifics on the Albany VA CLC call Barbara Darling at (518) 626-6037.
To learn more about the Albany VA CLC's hand hygiene campaign and fighting the Flu click here
In this Episode we spoke with Supervisory Social Worker Patricia Kidder about the VA Innovators Network and hoe it impacts the Albany VA to learn more the VA Innovators Network and some of the initiatives that have grown from it go to https://medium.com/vainnovation/tagged/innovation
- To learn more about the three box solution click here
- Staff can also learn more about the three box solution by clicking here
Episode 4.1 contains a A brief overview of Mental Health Services at the Albany VA, its Drop In groups and a teaser for a short infomercial the facility made for May is Mental Health month in conjunction with the National #BeThere Campaign. If your interested in learning more about Mental Health give the clinic a call at 518 626 5339. If you are interested in learning more about the Crisis Line resources see below; Veterans Crisis Line If you are a Service member or Veteran in crisis or you’re concerned about one, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends, with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text-messaging service.
Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone. Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Did you Know the VA is the largest provider of Mammography services in the country? For the Month of March we focused the podcast on Women’s Health and The Mammography Program, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this April. To learn more about the Women's Health program click this link for a short video or go to the Albany VA Women's Health program page, For questions on the Women's Health Program contact Suzanne Deane at 518 626 5519. for Questions on the Mammography program contact Linda Carpinello-Dilenbeck at (518)626-6337.
If you are traveling a distance to the Facility check out our Fisher House video or go to our Fisher House website to learn more
Voluntary Services and salute to Veteran patients;To learn more about Albany's Voluntary Services check out the link below https://www.albany.va.gov/giving/index.asp To connect with Noney about Volunteering or the National Salute to Veteran Patients Week give her a call at (518) 626-5507
The Education Spotlight with Dr. William Breen: To learn more about the Health and wellness resource Dr. Breen discussed about for seasonal depression go to Mental Health resources and Make the Connection. For More information on the Apps Dr. Breen mentioned check out the VA App Store, click the hyperlink more info on the Virtual Hope Box.
To connect with the Crisis Line call 1-800-273-TALK (press #1 for Veterans) 24/7. You can also chat online at or text with a counselor by texting 838255. To connect with a Mental Health provider you can connect with your local Primary Care team or call (518) 626-5339. The Drop In Groups Dr. Breen mentioned are available Monday through Friday at 10AM on the 10th floor, call (518) 626-5339 for details. You can also check out our Facebook page to stay up to date
Episode #1: introductions & Whole Health/Fight the Flu For more information on the Albany VA go to; https://www.albany.va.gov/ If you are interested in enrolling in VA health care call James and his staff at (518) 626 6744 or go to https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/
for more information on Whole Health go to; https://www.va.gov/PATIENTCENTEREDCARE/veteran-handouts/
For more information on fighting the Flu this season go to; https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current.htm
If you have comments or suggestions e-mail us at: TheAlbanyVAMinute@R04BYNAPPSP2013.r04.med.va.gov