St. Cloud VA

VETERAN UPDATE

August 21, 2026

Our Commitment to Veterans and Families

At the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, our journey toward becoming a High Reliability Organization reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering the safest, most dependable care possible. Every day, our teams work to strengthen a culture where patient safety is paramount, communication is open, and learning is continuous.

To every Veteran and family we serve: thank you for your trust. You deserve care, free from preventable harm and an experience that honors your service. Our goal of zero preventable harm is not just an aspiration—it is a promise that guides our decisions, our improvements, and our dedication to you.

We are proud to walk this journey with you and remain steadfast in ensuring your care is safe, compassionate, and exceptional.

VEText Clinic Cancellation Feature Now Used in Specialty & Imaging Services

We’re excited to share that Specialty Clinics (Audiology, Optometry, Podiatry, Urology, Orthopedics, Dental, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), General Surgery, etc.) and Imaging Services are now using the VEText Clinic Cancellation feature to keep those of you opted in to VEText, informed quickly and reliably when an appointment must be cancelled.

If you are opted in to VEText, you will receive immediate text notifications the moment a clinic cancels an appointment, for the above services.

This real‑time communication helps prevent unnecessary trips to the facility—saving valuable drive time, reducing frustration, and ensures you have the information you need before you head out the door.

Teams across the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and our VA Clinics in Alexandria, Brainerd, and Montevideo have already seen strong results from using VEText: clearer communication, fewer unexpected arrivals for cancelled appointments, and a smoother experience for both Veterans and staff.

VEText ensures all affected and opted in Veterans are notified promptly and consistently. If you are currently receiving text message appointment reminders, please check your messages for possible cancellations before leaving for your appointment.

If you would like to start receiving text messages for appointment reminders and clinic cancellations, please text START to 53079.

We’re proud to continue improving access, communication, and Veteran experience through tools that keep Veterans informed—anytime, anywhere.

Overdose Awareness Education Events:

Overdose does not discriminate and can happen to anyone. All drugs can contribute to an overdose, including medication prescribed by a doctor.

It’s important to know the right amount and the right time to take your medication. It’s also important to understand drug interactions.

Join St. Cloud VA experts to learn how to prevent overdose and provide emergency treatment.

• Tuesday, August 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Max J. Beilke VA clinic in Alexandria
• Wednesday, August 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the VA Canteen (Bldg. 95) in the St. Cloud VA Medical Center
• Thursday, August 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Brainerd VA clinic

Spread the word and take action to prevent overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is on August 31 every year. It seeks to create better understanding of overdoses. Awareness creates change and reduces the harms associated with drug use. The 2026 theme is “25 years on. Still Needed”.  

Learn more about what an overdose is and the signs and symptoms of an overdose.

PACT Act Education Seminars

The PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, agent orange, and other toxic substances.

The education seminars are in Bldg. 4 room 180 of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN.

• September 2, from 11 a.m.-noon

Topics covered will be:

• What the PACT ACT is
• Research projects
• Types of toxic exposures
• Survivor benefits
• Healthcare eligibility changes
• Toxic exposure screening
• Presumptive conditions
• How to apply for benefits
• To enroll in VA Healthcare: Bring your DD214! 

Space is limited, call 320-255-6340 to reserve your spot for the PACT Act Education Seminar.

Creative Arts Show

The St. Cloud VA Creative Arts Show will be at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center in the Bldg. 8 Auditorium, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN.

Art Show Drop Off Hours:

• Wednesday, September 2, noon-1 p.m.
• Thursday, September 3, 9-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, September 8, 9-11 a.m.
• Thursday, September 10, 2-4 p.m.
• Friday, September 11, noon-4 p.m. 

Entry deadline is Friday, September 11.

To enter, contact Madge Scherer at 320-252-1670, ext. 7336 or 320-469-6658.

Art Show Hours:

• Wednesday, September 16, noon-6 p.m.
• Thursday, September 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

View and print the Creative Arts Drop-Off Hours flyer or the Creative Arts Show Hours flyer. 

Whole Health Skills for Everyday Living Women’s Retreat

Women Veterans can explore areas of self-care to support you and your wellness goals!

The retreat will be on September 10, from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., at the St Cloud VA Medical Center, in Building 96. Women Veterans can look forward to the following schedule: 

• 8:30 a.m. Check In
• 8:45-9 a.m. Introduction to programming
• 9-9:30 a.m. Relationships
• 9:30-10 a.m. Food and drink
• 10-10:45 a.m. Healthy Teaching Kitchen Demonstration
• 10:45-11 a.m. Break
• 11 a.m.–noon Guided Imagery & Aromatherapy
• Noon-1 p.m. Lunch & Optional Flu Vaccine Clinic
• 1-1:30 p.m. Power of the Mind
• 1:30-1:45 p.m. Gratitude Exercise
• 1:45-2:15 p.m. Moving the Body
• 2:15-2:30 p.m. Break
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tai Chi 

25 Registration Slots! For Registration Contact: Whole Health Department, 320-252-1670 ext. 5401

View and print the Whole Health Skills for Everyday Living Women’s Retreat

Veterans Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for September 16, 2026

A Veterans town hall meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 2 p.m., at the Montevideo VA Clinic, 814 N 11th Street, Montevideo, MN.

The meeting is open to all Veterans served by the St. Cloud VA Health Care System.

The meeting provides Veterans the chance to hear from and have concerns addressed by St. Cloud VA officials.

Veterans have these options to join the town hall: 

Attend in-person, or virtually by joining the meeting on a computer or mobile device at: https://tinyurl.com/2n8fmzvf

Scan the QR code

Or call in (audio only) to listen to the meeting at +1 872-701-0185,  phone Conference ID: 837 626 714#

View and print the Veterans Town Hall flyer.

The St. Cloud VA Caregiver Support Program Presents: Thriving Through Change and Loss

Are you a caregiver facing life's changes? Join our 6-session virtual group to find support, share your experiences, and learn helpful ways to cope.

In this group you'll find:

• A safe and welcoming space
• Discussion about change, loss, and growth
• Tips for self-care and planning ahead

All caregivers enrolled in the VA Caregiver Support Program are welcome!

Wednesdays, September 23 through October 28, from 1-2:30 p.m., virtually via WebEx.

Please register by September 9, 2026. To register or for more information, call the St. Cloud VA Caregiver Support Program at 320-252-1670, ext. 7283.

View and print the Thriving Through Change and Loss flyer. 

Safety Plan App

The Safety Plan app is for anyone who has experienced suicidal thoughts. The app helps you identify personal coping strategies and sources of support – giving suicidal thoughts time to decrease and become more manageable.

There are six steps to creating your Safety Plan. It is important to create your Safety Plan when you’re not in distress, so you can think clearly and have time to complete the steps.

• Step 1: Warning Signs (that I may be headed towards a crisis)
• Step 2: Ways I Can Cope (on my own)
• Step 3: My Distractions (places I can go, and people I can call)
• Step 4: Friends and Family I Can Call (for support)
• Step 5: Professionals I Can Call (in times of crisis)
• Step 6: Keeping Myself Safe (by limiting my access to dangerous objects)

Once you create your Safety Plan, you can identify your reasons to live and explore more tools to help you cope.

Download the Safety Plan App

Note: While the Safety Plan app can be used on its own, creating your plan with a mental health provider can be helpful. Safety Plan is not intended to replace professional care.

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please call 911 at any time.
If you are unable to reach your safety contacts or you are in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at
Dial 988 then press 1, Chat VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, Text 838255.

AIMS for Anger Management

AIMS is designed for Veterans and military Service members but can be used by anyone coping with anger problems. The AIMS app is based on the Anger and Irritability Management Skills online self-help course, and provides users with tools to track and help manage anger, education about anger, and opportunities for finding support. Users can also create custom tools based on their preferences, and can integrate their own contacts, photos, and music.

The AIMS app may be used alone, or in combination with the online course or in-person therapy. AIMS is based on the VA online course Anger and Irritability Management Skills. The mobile app and the web course are designed to work in conjunction with one another. However, the web course and app do not communicate with each other, so information entered into one is not shared/synced with the other. Progress that a Veteran makes on the web course will not be saved to the mobile app.

AIMS is a self-care resource that does not replace treatment with a healthcare professional.

AIMS was created by VA’s National Center for PTSD and VA’s Mental Health Services.

Intro to Whole Health Course Offerings

Whole Health empowers and equips you to take charge of your health and well-being, and live your life to the fullest.

Join an Intro to Whole Health class to learn more. The class is offered regularly in person at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and Brainerd, Montevideo and Max J. Beilke VA Clinics and live virtual classes.

The Whole Health Theme of the Month is Personal Development

• Consider joining our Whole Health Skills building classes to learn and build confidence.

Call Whole Health at 320-252-1670, ext. 5401, to learn more about Whole Health classes, dates and times available and to register.