Cover Stories

Welcoming our Women Veterans

Did you know that women are the fastest growing group within the Veteran population? Women have formally been a part of the United States Armed Forces since the inception of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901, but have informally served since the inception of our Nation's military. In 1948, Congress made women a permanent part of the military service.

VA is working hard to understand who our women Veterans are, how their military service affects their post-military lives, and how they can be better served based on these insights.

In fiscal year 2016, eight percent of the Veterans treated in VISN 4 were women (and we expect that number to continue to grow). According to a VA fact sheet, as of September 30, 2016, the population of women Veterans in Pennsylvania was just over 71,000; Delaware's was nearly 9,000; and New Jersey's was just over 33,000.

Nationally, women between the ages of 50 and 59 use VA services more than women in any other age group.

Dr. Desmarie DeCuir is VISN 4's lead women Veterans program manager. As a nurse practitioner, she also serves as a women's health primary care provider at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Leadership at both the VISN and medical center levels constantly monitor patient satisfaction survey results to assess how services can be improved.

At each VA Medical Center nationwide, a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) is designated to advise and advocate for women Veterans with program management at the local level. The WVPM can help coordinate all the services a woman may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health. VISN 4 maintains an updated list of WVPMs on the women Veterans' webpage where you can also watch two videos about women Veterans who had their lives changed by a women's health clinician. In VISN 4, the WVPMs vary in occupation (registered nurse, licensed clinical social worker, occupational therapist) and years of experience in this role (two to 15 years).

The nine VA medical centers and 75% of outpatient clinics in VISN 4 also have designated women's health providers in primary care who have received specialized training.

Seven VISN 4 facilities have onsite gynecological services. Of course, Veterans can also receive care in the community for these services as needed.

Telehealth services specifically available for women Veterans include spiritual care, gynecological care, counseling, military sexual trauma, lactation support, and medication counseling. A Veteran can contact the local WVPM to learn of which programs are available.

Women Veterans can also receive mental health, multiple preventive health services—including mammography and Pap smears—and emergency care from VA. Additionally, VA can assist with maternity care for eligible Veterans as needed.

By the Numbers

Women Veterans Treated in VISN 4

Calling All Women Who Served in the United States Military!

Do you know your Veteran status? Do you have a Veteran ID card? Should you receive any benefits from VA, like the GI Bill? Do you know what health care benefits you have earned?

If you do not know the answer to even one of these questions, VA's Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) is just for you.

The WVCC staff is trained to provide women Veterans, their families, and caregivers with information about VA services and resources. The call is free, and you can call as often as you like. You can also chat anonymously with someone by visiting www.womenshealth.va.gov and clicking on the "Chat with the Women Veterans Call Center" icon. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

All WVCC representatives are women, and many are Veterans themselves. In addition to linking women Veterans to information, the WVCC makes direct referrals to Women Veterans Program Managers.

www.va.gov/womenvet
www.womenshealth.va.gov

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