 ***WATCH VIDEO HERE***
WKEF Channel 22 -- September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to check in on the people around us and make sure no one feels like they have to face a difficult moment alone. The Dayton VA works year-round to support Veterans who may be struggling, offering resources and services designed to help them get the support they need.
Dayton VA is also hosting its annual Suicide Prevention Awareness event, featuring a resource fair and much more.
Dr. Lora Cox-Vance, Chief of Staff at the Dayton VA, and Josh Nordstrom, Suicide Prevention Program Manager, joined Good Day Dayton to share more about the event and the resources available to Veterans.
 2 News WDTN --The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $32 million in grants to 27 community organizations to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Ohio. The funding is part of a record-high $1.17 billion in grants awarded to 680 organizations across the country to fight Veteran homelessness.
The resource and supportive services grants will be distributed through the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. Likewise, funds for transitional housing and intensive supportive services will be distributed through the agency’s Grant and Per Diem program.
“VA medical centers across Ohio remain committed to ensuring veterans have access to safe, stable housing and the supportive services they need to thrive,” said Dr. Lora Cox-Vance, chief of staff at the Dayton VA Medical Center. “These grants strengthen our partnerships with community organizations and help us reach veterans where they are, providing resources that make a meaningful difference in their lives.
A Legacy of Improving Care: How Dayton's Most Experienced EHR Users See the Future of VA Healthcare– VA News As the Dayton VA Medical Center (VAMC) embraces the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR), the transition marks not only a technological milestone but also a moment of reflection for the dedicated staff who have witnessed the evolution of Veteran care. Among them are three leaders whose combined experience, warmth, and unwavering commitment shine through every conversation: Marna McCrary, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Program Manager; Tronica Wheeler, Chief of Quality & Patient Safety; and Linda Borns, Nurse Manager.
From Paper Charts to CPRS: Remembering the Early Days
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The three registered nurses, who have dedicated their entire careers to the Dayton VAMC and together have 94 years of experience, recalled their first experiences with the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)—the long-standing system used by VA. Transitioning from paper to computer-based charting was not simply an upgrade; it transformed the rhythm of clinical work. |
Wheeler recalled, “Just the mere charting in a computer after years of handwriting—that was huge.” She laughed, remembering the days when staff waited in line for physical charts: “You were fighting to get your chart so you could finish your documentation on time.”
Borns agreed, noting how chaotic paper documentation could be. “Your work family is your family away from home,” she said. “And back then, if you dropped a chart, papers went everywhere. You had to reorganize it… and sometimes decipher the providers’ handwriting.” The team still jokes about the color-coded chart folders, the “dial” indicating whether a record needed attention, and the arguments over who got to grab the next available chart. “We welcomed electronic charting,” Borns added. “Really, we were ready.”
McCrary’s memory begins in a computer lab. “I remember a room on the ninth floor with computers everywhere. Someone said, ‘Click here, open this,’ and we learned step by step.” She laughed at how “click happy” she was, eager to explore the new system.
Welcoming Change with Experience and Optimism
While CPRS was easier to adopt at the time, the Federal EHR brings a different level of complexity and promise. “We’re going from facility standardization to national standardization,” Wheeler explained. “Workflows now must be consistent everywhere. It’s more structured, and that’s challenging, but it’s also necessary for the future.”
Even so, all three leaders see the benefits. McCrary pointed to providers who say the system allows them to prepare notes more easily and spend more time with Veterans. Wheeler highlighted improvements in medication reconciliation and immunization records, noting that the ability to pull information from outside facilities will streamline care and enhance safety.
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When asked for advice for other VA sites preparing to go live, the team spoke with clarity. “Be proactive and reach out to counterparts,” McCrary said. “Ask what their workflows look like. Sometimes terminology gets confusing, so learning from others really helps.”
Wheeler emphasized the importance of understanding why processes must change. “Change is hard,” she said. “But it’s for the betterment of our Veterans. We have to slow down, embrace it, and trust the process.”
Borns concluded with what mattered most to her—the people. “I’m so proud of our front-line staff,” she said.
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. “They’re supporting each other, taking care of each other, answering each other’s questions. They’re doing it for the right reason: keeping Veterans safe and well cared for.”
Despite the obstacles, all three leaders are optimistic because of their experience and VA’s mission. McCrary shared, “Any challenge thrown at us, we jump in with two feet. At the end of the day, we’re here for the mission of taking care of Veterans... Six months from now, we’ll probably be the ones helping another facility get through it.” Such is our long and proud legacy of improving care for our nation’s Veterans.
The tradition of the Missing Man Table was upheld with a touching ceremony Friday morning for POW/MIA Recognition Day. Each item and what it represents was read out loud with a crowd of dozens responding in unison. This display represents the emotions and feelings reserved for those who did not come home. The ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) also hosted a POW/MIA display in the lobby to honor those lost. We hold them close in our hearts and we remember.
 Chief of Staff Dr. Lora Cox Vance and Acting Suicide Prevention Program Manager Josh Nordstrom appeared on Good Day Dayton this morning to spread the word about our upcoming Suicide Prevention event on Thursday.
 Lt. James A. Walsh was only 16 when he received his Medal of Honor. He was most likely the youngest person in the 20th century to receive the honor.
Joining the Navy at age 15, Walsh showed his bravery during the Battle of Veracruz, a military conflict between the United States and Mexico in the Mexican port, for eight months in 1914. The incident occurred during tense diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States during the Mexican Revolution.
***Click to read story: https://vaww.insider.va.gov/freedom-250-james-a-walsh-was-a-medal-of-honor-recipient-and-a-va-employee/ **VA is celebrating some of the Veterans who served so we may enjoy freedom. They’re the reason the country made it to 250 years. See all their profiles on the Freedom 250 web page.
Our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) no longer schedule appointments for lab draws. They are done on a walk-in basis only, like at the main campus. Our new Electronic Health Record (EHR) doesn't allow appointment scheduling for lab procedures. Only LPNs perform functions related to lab procedures. We are hiring more LPNs to reduce wait times for blood draws. Veterans needing labs that do not require fasting are encouraged to arrive later in the morning to minimize waiting.
The Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) has extended walk-in hours and days available for Veterans.
Tuesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-2:00pm
Friday Appointment only (CBOC locations when needed)
September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Safety Plan app helps Veterans identify suicide warning signs, build coping strategies, and connect with trusted sources of support before a crisis happens.
Download the Safety Plan app: mobile.va.gov/app/safety-plan
The Suicide Prevention event is taking place this Thursday, September 24th. See flyer for more details. You’re encouraged to attend.
The annual Stand Down will be held Friday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the theater and multipurpose room of building 305. See flyer for details.
Veterans, you can gain confidence and control of your health by participating in the MOVE! program. Veteran Tanya Yates lost 200 pounds!
 ***Click here for more information on the program: https://www.move.va.gov/ Veterans interested in the program can call extension (937) 268-6511 ext.1699.
The Farmers Market is every Thursday through October 15th from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the picnic pavilion. The food trucks scheduled for this week are: Frozen Fox, Lumpia Queen, Hell Belly Burritos, Wild Banana and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
The Farmers Market is open to the public.
Veterans are encouraged to use Direct Deposit to get payments faster and safer.
We are more than two months in with the new Electronic Health Record (EHR). We are still going through some growing pains, including with delays in answering phone calls. We appreciate your patience as we continue this transition. These changes are designed to improve coordination and continuity of care for Veterans. If you get your healthcare here, thank you for trusting Dayton VA with your healthcare.
A free monthly fitness program at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
See flyer below for more details.
The Women Overcoming & Winning (W.O.W.) social group meets the first Monday of each month. The next meeting will be, October 5th, from 6:00-7:30pm in building 305. Women Veterans are encouraged to attend.
A free monthly program is live every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
See flyer below for more details.
The next Coffee Club meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13th. Dayton VA Medical Center Outreach Team will be in attendance. See information below.
Participate in the annual Virtual Walk which begins October 1st and runs for the entire month of October! It's an excellent way to get moving this fall and participation is free. See the flyer below for more details like how to log your miles. It's open to Veterans and the public, plus you can form a team with family and friends.
 Less scroll, more soul. Taking time away from screens can help you reconnect with what matters most: your health, your relationships, and your daily life. Spirit and soul are an important part of your well-being. What helps you reconnect?
***Click here for more information: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/spirit-soul.asp
 Dayton VA Veterans, staff and retirees have free access to more than 100 live, online Ompractice classes weekly, an on-demand video library & new programming every month.
**Click here for video library: https://app.ompractice.com/videos
Register with Ompractice for free: https://app.ompractice.com/veteransaffairs
Veterans, if you can't make your appointment, call and cancel so another Veteran can take it.
The Coffee Hour and 12 Step Meetings are offered by Mental Health to all Veterans in recovery, even if not engaged with Mental Health.
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