Veteran's Health

The following letter is from the Director of the  VA Maryland Healthcare System as shared with their email subscriber list    To ensure information pertaining to veterans health care is  communicated with our stakeholders,  MDVA is sharing a copy of the letter.

Dear VA Maryland Health Care System E-News Subscriber: Yesterday, the Department of Veterans Affairs released results from the Nationwide Access Audits, along with facility level patient access data, for all VA health care facilities throughout the country in response to the ongoing investigations regarding allegations of inappropriate scheduling practices at some VA medical centers. I am pleased to report that the Access Audit for the VA Maryland Health Care System found no inappropriate scheduling practices and had no significant recommendations. As an organization that is dedicated to high ethical standards, this is something we can all celebrate. As you might have already seen in the press, the VA Maryland Health Care System was listed as having the fourth longest wait time for new patients to receive primary care appointments as compared to other VA health care facilities. While we did an outstanding job in the wait times for existing patients with an average wait time of 4 days for a primary care appointment and with 96 percent of all patients scheduled for appointments within 30 days or under, we need to improve the wait time for new patients to receive a primary care appointment. To immediately improve the wait time and to better serve the needs of our new Veteran patients, we have implemented the following actions: -          We are hiring additional primary care providers and support staff to improve the wait time for new patients to receive a primary care appointment throughout our health care system. -          We have re-introduced Saturday primary care clinic appointments at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. -          We are contacting all new patients who are waiting more than 90 days for a primary care appointment to offer them an earlier clinic appointment in a VA Maryland Health Care facility or with a community partner. -          We are reviewing, evaluating and prioritizing patient needs on a daily basis to ensure that we are addressing any urgent needs of our Veteran patients. As the Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, I apologize for the wait time for new primary care patients to receive an appointment throughout our organization. I recognize the stress that the long wait time may have caused for new Veteran patients, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that patients are seen in a timely manner. Please know that we will continue to work to correct systemic problems in accessing VA health care for all Veteran patients throughout the state. It is our duty and privilege to provide Veterans the care they have earned through their service and sacrifice. This is a duty we take very seriously. While we are proud of the quality health care we provide to those who served in the armed forces and the commitment of our dedicated employees, we recognize that there are always opportunities to improve. We want to assure you that we remain committed to providing quality, safe and compassionate health care to Maryland's Veterans. Thank you for allowing us to serve your health care needs. Dennis H. Smith Director, VA Maryland Health Care System

On this day 40 some odd years ago was born under stressful conditions. Carrie and Paul high school sweet hearts that married at a young and tender age gave life to a female child. Little did they know that their child would endure great turmoil during her formative years. It was awful times being ridicule for the color of her skin, the gap in her teeth and the thickness and length of her hair. Being called, burnt bologna and “you so black you are blue” just to name a few. Would transform into a lovely lady.

 

She has developed websites wwwfabulouslyfortyblogspot.com,  https://www.facebook.com/BeforeMotherhood, and http:beforemotherhood.com to address the issues that obstructive the successful roads of our young ladies. She has written a book for her daughters “Your Mother Knew what She was Talking About” in hopes to shield their lives from heartache and pain, and guidance through life.

 

Besides all the things she has done, she has more to do. Happy Black Native America Day of Birth to her.

My recent thoughts......

It is so crazy that I hate Maryland--I wanted to leave Va., and explore different opportunities. I wasn't going to move to Md. being some one's girlfriend--too old for that.....I think it was a turn around for me when I lost the HOUSE. I felt and reasoned with myself that in needed to be freed from the bounds of the HOUSE. I thought with whom I married was my knight in shinny skin. I have looked around a looked at what was really real around me......and the real of what saw was not so shiny or pretty or wonderful at all. It has been an unpleasant experience with the move here. At the onset the Girls were not having an  easy adjustment.

Things I don't like:
1. Place/area
2. Rate of pay
3. It is not what I hoped for
4. People
5. Behaviors and the mindset of the people

Family is very important to me and appearance seems to be important to others. I thought that the children and the adults would come together and enjoy the union. In a city with all these family members no contact with them at all. We have to drive almost 14 hours see the people that mean the most to me.

Every day I complain about where I am and what I am not doing. I have decided to devise a plan to improve the situation.

1. Complete MBA
2. Submit the National Certification application
3. Clear up the issues on my credit
4. Move and buy another home
5. Get closer to my family and develop a better relationship with the people whom means the MOST to me.

The list doesn't seem long--I think I can do it. The amount is the same on both ends of the scale.....

Hello My Old-New You!!!

We as the female group --will have to learn that everything that shines anit a real thing--it could have been the sun in your eyes that caused you to be missed lead. How do you correct your mistake? Own-up to the mistake by being honest to yourself, put on a pair of Coach framed shades and step out on what you know to be TRUE--and that is all you have known for the better part of your life, "your own free will". You enjoy your ability to maintain your life style on your own. You relish in "making moves" when ever how ever you choose to. You feel good with watching your children achieve their goals that they set for themselves, knowing you had a HAND in it. Plan your return to "LIFE" and then watch the barriers roll out the WAY and then you will be able to see thru the bullshit and OBSERVE the real beauty which is the Old-New You.............Love Always, Tonya Johnson

What a PRODUCTION

I could not believe that I was the mother of a 21 year old. I was shocked to have raised a child that now has a child. I have been all over the place with the fact my child has a child. I had hoped that she would have prepared me mentally for our blessing. I know so many of US wanted more and better for our children. I know I spent 18 years trying to get myself ready for my child to become an adult. I had hoped that she would be a senior in college entering into her graduate program. I hoped that she would be an intern for the next fortune 500 company. I had hoped for my child to find the cure for cancer and HIV. I hoped that my child would be getting ready to design the next skyscraper. But instead my daughter has produce the most precious production of them all MY GRAND DAUGHTER- MIA E. HAGA....I couldn't ask for anything more from her.

Making some progress towards my GOALs

Well Well my 16 followers I would like to thank you for your continued support. The interesting thing is that I have completed my book to my GIRLS and I'm now a grandmother. At first I was trying to get over the idea about my OLDEST turning 21 now a full adult and than she turned me into a grandparent. I was more worried with the idea that she was unable to take care of herself let alone a child. The child is now the single most important factor in her life is her daughter. My her daughter bring to hear what she brought to me. Since my daughter knows all may she receive the same amount.

OK back to me----I have finally completed the book and my next move is to scan the pictures with me and my babies to remember me by---I'm excited about it. I am now in another masters OMG to that. I have secure a city position in Baltimore not the salary. I will be securing a town home until the house is built for the family of 10.

I have learned that learnt is actually a word---and that your friends are not always your best source of support or family members. Sometimes we must be our own cheerleaders make your plan and stay the course and handle your own business.

The question I posed to you all and to myself, "What is your talent?" I have been asking myself that question lately. I have none but I will have to ensure my daughters are well aware of there talents and self-worth.

Getting It Together

I have located the written documents of my life and forwarded my transcripts to the next University that will assist me in my educational success.........I have decided on 2 or 3 titles-"My Life as an Open Book---Lessons From Mom---What Did I tell You?"

Why did a man whom as been married more than twice write a book telling US women how to get a man. Apparently, none of the women he was involved in was able to keep him. Why is it so easy for US to listen to men---because we always want one?