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Women veterans COMMITTEE REPORT
BY MARSHA FOUR, CHAIR
Preparation for our National Convention has been going on
for months. This committee, in addition to organizing our
business for the Convention, to include working with other
committees on resolutions, has been planning the traditional
Women Veterans Breakfast. This is a time when the committee
attempts to bring forward a speaker who is motivational
or insightful. We know you will not be disappointed this
year.
In addition, there will be an informal gathering for
women veterans at a time that best fits the hectic schedule
of the business of the Convention. This will be a time
to talk and spend a few minutes of leisure time with friends.
A posting of the time and place will be provided once we
arrive in Springfield.
Dr. Patricia Hayes, the Acting Chief
Consultant of the Women Veterans Health Strategic Healthcare
Group, was invited to make a presentation at the April meeting
of the Women Veterans Committee. She was appointed to this
position after Carole Turner retired as Director of the Women’s
Health Program Office at VA Central Office. Additionally,
that office was elevated to that of a Strategic Health Care
Group.
Dr. Hayes provided information on the revised VHA Handbook
1330.02 which details the position of the Women Veteran Program
Managers (WVPM). Of particular interest is the section on
performance standards. This document will be placed on our
web page so that members will read and take note of its detail
in the duties and responsibilities of the WVPM. When you
go to meetings at the medical centers, refer to 1330.02 and
find out exactly what is happening locally. Does the director
embrace and use it? Talk to the WVPM about her understanding
of the position she holds, her role, and the time she is
allotted to perform her duties.
In light of the increasing
number of new veterans using the VA and the percentage of
women, the role of the WVPM is vital, and the investment
at the local medical centers is critical in its delivery
of services and the type of services and clinical staff that
are available. Seventeen percent of those currently serving
in Iraq are women, and by 2010, 10 percent of those using
the VA will be women. Dr. Hayes told us that 37 percent of
the women currently being discharged are using the VA and
that the mean number of annual visits by these veterans is
32.
Dr. Hayes also said that the Women Veterans Program Health
Services Handbook (VHA Handbook 1330.01) is being rewritten
and will be available soon.
I would like to thank the members
of the Women Veterans Committee for the work they have done
over the past two years. Additionally, I send thanks to the
other committees for the work we have shared. I also thank
you for providing me the opportunity to serve.
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