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News Releases Archive
Public Affairs, (713) 794-7349
Archive Start Date: 12/2006
2006
Houston VA Signs Contract to Open New VA Outpatient Clinic Near Conroe Regional Medical Center - HOUSTON - Fulfilling a commitment to veterans living north of Houston, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has signed a contract to lease space in Conroe in order to establish and operate a new VA-staffed Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) offering primary care and mental health services. The new CBOC will be conveniently located at 800 Riverwood Court near the Conroe Regional Medical Center, just off Loop 336 and Interstate 45. It is scheduled to open early next year. (12/14/2006)
VA Physician Instrumental in Testing and Evaluation of Body Armor for U.S. Troops -
HOUSTON - Francis H. Gannon, M.D., a staff physician with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Diagnostic & Therapeutic Care Line, will receive a Department of Defense award for his role in the testing and evaluation of a key piece of battlefield equipment, worn by U.S. troops for the first time during the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. (12/12/2006)
Houston VA Joins Fight Against Deadly Bacteria - HOUSTON - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a more serious form of a common bacteria that frequently inhabits the skin or nostrils of healthy people. Due to its resistance to antibiotics commonly used in treatment, MRSA is one of the most rapidly growing and virulent health care associated infections, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is responsible for over 100,000 U.S. hospitalizations each year. (11/28/2006)
Journal Article Reveals Spinal Epidural Infections on the Rise - HOUSTON - Infections in the space around the spinal cord have increased over the past decade and many are associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a review that appeared in the November 9, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine by Rabih O. Darouiche, M.D., staff physician, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (11/20/2006)
Houston VA Hosts Stand Down for Homeless Veterans - HOUSTON, TEXAS - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, in cooperation with The Task Force for Houston Area Homeless Veterans, The Coalition for the Homeless and U.S. Veterans Initiative, is hosting the 6th Houston Area Stand Down for homeless veterans on Nov. 8 - 9, 2006 at Midtown Terrace Suites located at 4640 Main Street. (11/08/2006)
Houston VA Awarded 3 Year Accreditation For Spinal Cord Injury Care Program - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was notified it has been awarded a three-year CARF accreditation for its Spinal Cord Injury Care Line. (11/01/2006)
Houston VA Awarded 3 Year Accreditation for Inpatient Rehabilitation Program - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was notified this week that it was awarded a three-year CARF accreditation for Rehabilitation Care Line's Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP). (10/26/2006)
Houston VA Expands Surgery Services to Veterans with New Liver Transplant Center -
HOUSTON - In August 2006, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) received official designation as a Liver Transplant Center from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The MEDVAMC joins Portland, Oregon; Nashville, Tennessee; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Richmond, Virginia VA Medical Centers offering liver transplantation to veterans as an appropriate therapy for end-stage liver disease. (10/25/2006)
Houston VA Earns Accreditation for Pharmacy Residency Program - HOUSTON - This past September, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) granted a six-year accreditation to the Pharmacy Practice Residency Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). This accreditation follows an on-site survey and review conducted in April 2006. (10/19/2006)
New, Multidisciplinary Cancer Center Opens Today at Houston VA - HOUSTON - According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. However, improvements in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer. In response to this serious health issue, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) opened its new, multidisciplinary Cancer Center today, October 16, 2006. (10/16/2006)
80 Houston VA Docs Listed as "Best Doctors" in the Nation - HOUSTON - The medical knowledge company, Best Doctors, Inc. has included 80 physicians who provide patient care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in the latest compilation of The Best Doctors in America (Registered Trademark) database. (09/15/2006)
Houston VA Hospital Using Innovative Technology to Make Heart Procedures Safer, Faster - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is the first VA medical center in the country to use Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE) to diagnose and treat veterans needing specialized cardiac care. (09/05/2006)
How VA Hospitals Became The Best - Most private hospitals can only dream of the futuristic medicine Dr. Divya Shroff practices today. Outside an elderly patient's room, the attending physician gathers her residents around a wireless laptop propped on a mobile cart. Shroff accesses the patient's entire medical history--a stack of paper in most private hospitals. And instead of trekking to the radiology lab to view the latest X-ray, she brings it up on her computer screen. While Shroff is visiting the patient, a resident types in a request for pain medication, then punches the SEND button. Seconds later, the printer in the hospital pharmacy spits out the order. The druggist stuffs a plastic bag of pills into what looks like a tiny space capsule, then shoots it up to the ward in a vacuum tube. By the time Shroff wheels away her computer, a nurse walks up with the drugs. (08/28/2006)
VA Blind Veteran Technology on ABC World News Tonight - The August 17, 2006 episode of ABC World News Tonight featured Kenneth Adams, a patient at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. Adams lost his sight when he was wounded while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The news piece focused on the cutting-edge technology and new devices now available at VAMCs across the country to assist blind veterans with reading prescription labels, shopping, preparing meals, and even choosing matching clothes. The goal is to help these unique veterans enjoy more independent and safe lives. For more on this new technology, visit http://www.houston.med.va.gov/HOUSTON/pressreleases/News_20060109b.asp. (08/17/2006)
Study Examines 2 Types of Treatment Plans for People Suffering from Depression and Insomnia - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is conducting a clinical research study comparing the feasibility and effectiveness of two treatment approaches for individuals with insomnia and a history of major depression or bipolar disorder. The study focuses on both veterans and non-veterans, over the age of 60 who have difficulty starting or initiating sleep four or more times a week for at least three months and who meet study eligibility criteria.
(08/08/2006)
Mandatory Replacement of Prior Versions of Veteran and Patient Identification Cards - HOUSTON - In order to reduce veteran vulnerability to identity theft and to demonstrate VA's commitment to securing the confidential personal information of enrolled veterans, all VA medical facilities, including the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), are replacing prior versions of veteran and patient identification cards with a new, more secure one. This new card eliminates the sensitive identifying information printed on the front of the other cards. (08/01/2006)
Houston First VA to Fit Patient with Bionic Foot - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently became the first VA medical center to fit a patient with the Proprio "Bionic" FootTM, just weeks after Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. This technologically advanced prosthesis thinks for itself, responding automatically to changing terrain, stairs, slopes, and level-ground walking as needed. (08/01/2006)
The Best Medical Care In The U.S. - How Veterans Affairs transformed itself -- and what it means for the rest of us (07/17/2006)
Leading Cardiologist Joins Houston VA Staff - HOUSTON - David Paniagua, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. has joined the staff of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). Paniagua will serve as the co-director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory under the Medical Care Line. (07/12/2006)
Award-Winning Substance Abuse Specialist Joins Staff at Houston VA - HOUSTON - Thomas R. Kosten, M.D. has joined the staff of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) as the Senior Advisor on Substance Abuse Disorders based in the Mental Health Care Line. (07/07/2006)
VA Physicians Exploring Effectiveness of Bipolar Disorder Medications - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of only six sites in United States, and the only VA facility, conducting a clinical research study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to compare the effectiveness and side effects of two widely used medications for bipolar disorder. The study focuses on individuals, both veterans and non-veterans, over the age of 60 who are currently experiencing an elevated mood and who meet study eligibility criteria. (06/20/2006)
Houston VA Wait Time Success Story: Urology Section Turnaround - HOUSTON - Decreasing the amount of time veterans wait for health care appointments remains a high priority for administrators at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). Solutions to this complex problem range from reallocation of resources, hiring additional staff, improving processes, and opening new clinics, while providing special attention to service-connected veterans and veterans recently returned from conflicts overseas. (05/02/2006)
Houston Only VA with Consistently Low Mortality Rates for 6 Consecutive Years - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently received notification from the National Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Executive Committee that it has demonstrated consistently low observed-to-expected mortality rates in general surgery, all surgery, and all non-cardiac surgery six years in a row. The MEDVAMC is the only VA facility with this record. (04/12/2006)
Houston VA Hospital Offering Less Invasive Options - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of the few medical facilities in the country performing minimally invasive heart valve surgery. In this new procedure, surgery is performed with a limited split of the sternum through a small three inch incision providing a small but adequate access to the heart valves.
(04/11/2006)
Houston VA's Major Affiliate Ranked 10th on National List of Medical Schools - HOUSTON - For more than 50 years, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has provided clinical training for health care professionals through its major affiliate, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). BCM has now been ranked 10th among the 125 U.S. medical schools in an annual survey published by U.S. News & World Report, moving up three positions from its 13th ranking last year. (04/04/2006)
Medicare's Drug Benefit Deemed Anemic Next to VA's - Cardiology News - March 2006
By Jennifer Lubell, Associate Editor, Practice Trends.
Medicare's new prescription drug benefit offers meager savings on drug prices, according to a Families USA survey. (03/21/2006)
What's behind the VA hospital turnaround? - The film "Born on the Fourth of July" portrayed VA medical care as many saw it in the years after the Vietnam War. (03/16/2006)
Houston VA Selected to Host 2007 Golden Age Games - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has been selected to host the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Golden Age Games next year, August 25 - September 1, 2007. These games bring together veterans age 55 and older who receive health care at VA medical facilities across the country to compete in events such as swimming, bicycling, golf, shot put, discus, 10-meter air rifle, table tennis, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes, nine-ball, bowling, checkers, and croquet. (03/03/2006)
Surgical Liaison - A vital link between patient, family and surgeon in the Operating Room and Recovery Room (02/17/2006)
VA growing to improve care for wounded soldiers - Houston unit is among those that will treat multiple injuries under one roof. The pervasive use of improvised explosive devices and other weaponry in Iraq and Afghanistan has produced a new medical approach: polytrauma care, a term coined for the head trauma, severed limbs, hearing and vision loss, and other injuries that U.S. troops are suffering in numbers not seen before.
(02/03/2006)
Houston VA Spearheads Initiative to Boost Employment for Disabled Veterans - HOUSTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs has offered employment assistance and guidance to veterans for many years. Currently, more than 7,000 veterans participate in VA Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs nationwide each year. (01/30/2006)
Health Care Confidential - New York Times Op-Ed Column, 1/27/06
American health care is desperately in need of reform. But what form should change take? Are there any useful examples we can turn to for guidance?
Well, I know about a health care system that has been highly successful in containing costs, yet provides excellent care. And the story of this system's success provides a helpful corrective to anti-government ideology. For the government doesn't just pay the bills in this system - it runs the hospitals and clinics. (01/27/2006)
CORECTION TO AP NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: More than 260,000 unable to sign up for health care (by SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer) - Dear Editor:
There has been some inaccurate reporting of medical benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and I wanted to help set the record straight.
(01/27/2006)
VA Care Is Rated Superior to That in Private Hospitals - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/19/AR2006011902936_pf.html
By Rob Stein
Washington Post
Friday, January 20, 2006; A15 (01/20/2006)
Houston VA Using Innovative Procedure to Repair Life-Threatening Heart Defect - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke thought to have been caused by a Patent Foramen Ovale. (01/19/2006)
Houston VA Earns Accreditation from National Committee for Quality Assurance - HOUSTON - On January 4, 2006, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) awarded a three-year accreditation to the Human Research Protection Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (01/17/2006)
Free Transportation to Houston VA Available for Veterans - HOUSTON - Transportation to and from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston from outlying areas is available by way of vans operated by various veteran service organizations and local government offices. The vans are operated as a free service for veterans seeking medical care at the MEDVAMC. Veterans are advised to call at least a week before their appointment, as several vans require reservations. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. (01/12/2006)
Site Selected for New Lufkin Veterans' Clinic; VA Now Seeks Builder - LUFKIN, TX - The Department of Veterans Affairs has obtained an assignable option to purchase approximately seven acres of land located at 2206 John Redditt Drive in Lufkin, TX for the construction of a new outpatient clinic. Once completed, this new, larger facility will replace the current Lufkin clinic located at 1301 W. Frank Ave. (01/10/2006)
Free Parkinson's Disease Patient & Family Forum - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Parkinson's Disease Research, Education & Clinical Center (PADRECC) presents a free educational program and forum for veterans, family members, and friends: ??Improving Care for Veterans with Parkinson's Disease.? Guest speakers include Eugene Lai, M.D., Ph.D., Gabriel Hou, M.D., Ph.D., and Aliya Sarwar, M.D. (01/09/2006)
New Technology Helps Blind Veterans Enjoy More Independent Lives - Bill Johnson, Visual Impairment Service Team coordinator at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center demonstrates an I.D. Mate to veteran Bernard Corbit. The I.D. Mate is just one of several new, high-tech devices available to veterans to assist them with reading prescription labels, shopping, preparing meals, and even choosing matching clothes. The goal is to help these unique veterans enjoy more independent and safe lives. (01/09/2006)
Houston VA Awarded 3-Year Accreditations for Vocational Rehabilitation and Health Care for Homeless Veterans Programs - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was notified in December that it was awarded three-year CARF accreditations for its Mental Health Care Line's Vocational Rehabilitation and Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs. (01/04/2006)
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2005
Houston VA Hospital Using Innovative Technique to Treat Liver Cancer and Tumors - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is among the first VA hospitals in the country to use Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFA) to treat liver cancer and tumors. According to the American Cancer Society, about 14,000 cases of primary liver cancer are diagnosed each year. (12/15/2005)
Houston VA Vascular Surgeons Implant Wireless Pressure Sensor to Monitor Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Endovascular Repair - This cutting-edge, implantable sensor technology allows doctors to monitor aortic aneurysm pressure for possible early aneurysm leaks and patients to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure and toxic dyes. (12/12/2005)
New Cancer Center Opens at Houston VA - HOUSTON - Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 56,730 Americans will die of colorectal cancer this year. Colorectal cancer is also one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States; more than 145,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2004. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center hospitalized more than 140 veterans last year for treatment of colorectal cancer. (12/05/2005)
No Across-the-Board Review of PTSD Cases - Secretary Nicholson - WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not review the files of 72,000 veterans currently receiving disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, the Department's secretary announced today. (11/10/2005)
VA Shining Star in Disaster Relief Efforts - On August 31, 2005, as the country realized the devastation Hurricane Katrina inflicted along the Gulf Coast, the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) was activated. In Houston, this meant area hospitals began gearing up to receive patients from the hurricane-affected areas under the coordination of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (11/03/2005)
Houston VA Now Offers Online Prescription Refills - HOUSTON - Veterans receiving their health care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) may now order prescription refills and check the status of prescription refills on the Internet at their convenience.
(10/11/2005)
VA Mobile Health Clinic Relocates to Gateway Plaza in Beaumont * Offers Medical Care for All Community Members - BEAUMONT, TX - In coordination with local and federal relief efforts, a VA-staffed mobile health clinic has relocated to Gateway Plaza, just off 1-10, in Beaumont. This location is already being used as a staging area by FEMA and other relief agencies and will now offer victims of Hurricane Rita convenient access to medical attention.
The mobile clinic, open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is equipped to evaluate and treat acute and chronic medical problems, administer immunizations, and refill prescriptions for all members of the community. (10/04/2005)
Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic Reopens; 7 Day-a-Week Health Care Open to All Community Members While Recovery Continues - BEAUMONT, TX - With roof repairs completed and generators providing power to the Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic, the medical facility reopened on Saturday, September 29, 2005. While recovery and relief efforts from Hurricane Rita continue in the area, the clinic, located at 3420 Veterans Circle just off I-10, will operate seven days a week, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and will provide health care to all members of the community.
While the staff at the Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic can evaluate and treat acute and chronic medical problems, administer immunizations, and refill prescriptions, persons with life-threatening emergencies should immediately call 911. (10/03/2005)
Houston VA Mobile Health Clinics Open Now in Beaumont - Two VA-staffed mobile health clinics are now open and operational in Beaumont. Located in the parking lot of the Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic, 3420 Veterans Circle just off I-10, the clinics are equipped to evaluate and treat medical problems, administer immunizations, and refill prescriptions for all members of the community. (09/30/2005)
Houston VA Prepares to Send Mobile Clinics to Hurricane-Affected Areas - Two Department of Veterans Affairs mobile health clinics made their way from Louisiana to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston late yesterday. Today, they are being serviced, outfitted, and stocked with supplies, medical equipment, and medications. Early tomorrow morning, September 29, 2005, the mobile clinics, staffed with VA physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and support personnel, will make their way to the hurricane-affected areas in southeast Texas. (09/28/2005)
VA Outpatient Clinics Reopen Wednesday - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will return to normal operations on Wednesday, September 28, 2005. This includes all outpatient clinics, as well as compensation and pension appointments, at the Houston location. (09/27/2005)
Hurricane Rita Status Update Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will return to normal operations on Wednesday, September 28, 2005. This includes all outpatient clinics, as well as compensation and pension appointments, at the Houston location. (09/27/2005)
Houston VA prepares to receive Hurricane Rita victims from East Texas and Louisiana - Clinics involved include Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Beaumont, and Lufkin.
Houston VA prepares to receive Hurricane Rita victims from East Texas and Louisiana (09/26/2005)
Hurricane Rita Status Update Monday, September 26, 2005 - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston will return to normal operations on Wednesday, September 28, 2005. This includes all outpatient clinics, as well as compensation and pension appointments, at the Houston location. (09/26/2005)
Hotlines for Employees and Veterans - Hotlines for Employees and Veterans (09/26/2005)
Houston VA Returns to Normal Operations on September 28, 2005 - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston will return to normal operations on Wednesday, September 28, 2005. This includes all outpatient clinics, as well as compensation and pension appointments, at the Houston location.
(09/26/2005)
Hurricane Rita Status Update Sunday, September 25, 2005 - Because of concerns regarding fuel, traffic congestion, and scattered power outages in southeast Texas, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has cancelled all outpatient clinic appointments, and compensation and pension examination appointments, in Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Beaumont, and Lufkin on Monday, September 26, 2005 and Tuesday, September 27, 2005. The Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic will possibly be closed for a longer period of time. (09/25/2005)
VA Medical Center Outpatient Clinics Closed September 26 & 27, 2005 - Because of concerns regarding fuel, traffic congestion, and scattered power outages in southeast Texas, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has cancelled all outpatient clinic appointments, and compensation and pension examination appointments, in Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Beaumont, and Lufkin on Monday, September 26, 2005 and Tuesday, September 27, 2005. The Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic will possibly be closed for a longer period of time. (09/25/2005)
Hurricane Rita Status Update - Saturday, September 24, 2005,<br>5 p.m. - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is currently preparing to receive patients from hurricane-affected areas in southeast Texas and Louisiana. Toward this effort and because of conditions in the area, the MEDVAMC has cancelled all outpatient clinic appointments in Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Beaumont, and Lufkin, and all compensation and pension examination appointments, on Monday, September 26, 2005 and Tuesday, September 27, 2005. (09/24/2005)
Hurricane Rita Status Update Saturday, September 24, 2005 - Because conditions (communications, transportation, and power) outside the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) have not been declared safe by local city and county government officials, people who sought shelter at the MEDVAMC are strongly advised not to leave the VA Complex. (09/24/2005)
Hurricane Rita Preparations Update Friday, September 23, 2005 - In response to the approach of Hurricane Rita toward the Texas Gulf Coast, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) continues to make final preparations for extreme weather. Health care and support staff is on-site to care for the needs of veteran patients at the MEDVAMC. (09/23/2005)
VA Medical Center Outpatient Clinics Closed September 22 & 23, 2005 - In response to the approach of Hurricane Rita toward the Texas Gulf Coast, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has cancelled all outpatient clinic appointments in Houston, Galveston, Texas City, and Beaumont on Thursday, September 22, 2005 and Friday, September 23, 2005. The Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic in Lufkin will remain operational during this time. (09/21/2005)
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Honored with VA's Top Quality Award - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) to be this year's recipient of the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award -- the department's top award for quality achievement. Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria, the award recognizes the MEDVAMC's commitment to the veterans it serves and to the community, as well as performance improvement efforts made by the medical center and its satellite clinics. (09/19/2005)
VA Health Care Professionals Arrive from Across Country to Provide Care to Victims of Hurricane Katrina - To deal with the health care issues of the many veterans displaced by Hurricane Katrina now calling Houston home, the MEDVAMC decided to set up a temporary clinic in their 18,000 sq. ft. gymnasium. Like magic, a fully functioning health clinic was assembled in a matter of three days in what was until recently, used by veterans and MEDVAMC staff members for recreation activities. On Thursday, September 8, 2005, the day it opened, the clinic saw 125 veteran outpatients currently living with friends and family or in shelters around the city. (09/14/2005)
VA Creates Procedures for Benefits in Wake of Hurricane Katrina - WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established emergency procedures for veterans whose VA financial benefits have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"It is critical that veterans and their families who are victims of this devastating hurricane continue to have access to their funds," said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Nicholson said the Department is providing replacement checks for victims of Hurricane Katrina who are unable to obtain VA benefits checks mailed to their homes or electronically deposited in banks within the affected area. (09/14/2005)
Only Veteran Medical Records Safe from Flood Waters (VA's Computerized Patient Record System) - Only Veteran Medical Records Safe from Flood Waters VA's Computerized Patient Record System saves critical medical records so patients' health care does not suffer. (09/13/2005)
Letter to the Editor - Hurricane Relief Efforts by Houston Community - Beginning Wednesday, August 31, 2005 through Sunday, September 4, 2005, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center operated a Patient Reception Team at Ellington Field to receive patients being evacuated from the Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. The first military transport flight arrived that day at 9 p.m. and by the end of our mission, we had received 21 planes with more than 700 patients. The patients ranged in age from four months to over 80-years-old. Their conditions ranged from fatigue and dehydration to a transplant patient.
(09/12/2005)
Houston VA Opens Outpatient Clinic for Displaced New Orleans Veterans - MEDVAMC gearing up to provide health care to New Orleans evacuees. (09/07/2005)
Patient Reception Team Triaged 102 Patients Yesterday, More Expected Today - Houston- Beginning at 11:10 a.m. through 11:45 p.m. on September 3, 2005, the PRT received 4 aircraft. From these, the PRT medically triaged 102 patients and dispatched them to community hospitals, the MEDVAMC, and community support facilities. The MEDVAMC admitted 7 veteran and 2 non-veteran patients from these aircraft. In addition, the MEDVAMC continues to receive walk-in veterans from hurricane-affected areas in need of medical treatment. (09/04/2005)
More Hurricane Katrina Victims Scheduled to Arrive Today at Ellington Field - On August 31, 2005, the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) was activated. This means many hospitals in Houston are gearing up to receive patients from the hurricane-affected areas. In Houston, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is the coordinating facility for this medical response effort. (09/01/2005)
Houston VA Prepares to Receive Hurricane Katrina Victims - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is currently preparing to receive approximately 80 veteran inpatients from the New Orleans VA Medical Center. The New Orleans hospital was ordered closed yesterday because of flooding, water damage, and power outages caused by Hurricane Katrina. All 154 patients from the hospital are being evacuated to other VA medical facilities in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. (08/31/2005)
Revamped Veterans' Health Care Now a Model - By Gilbert M. Gaul
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 22, 2005; A01
For years, the Department of Veterans Affairs' sprawling health care system was criticized by veterans groups and government investigators as a dangerous backwater of medicine. Report after report portrayed it as suffocating from top-heavy bureaucracy, dirty and unsafe hospitals, and little or no accountability. Thousands of eligible patients opted to get their care elsewhere. (08/22/2005)
Houston VA's Innovative Employee Educational Program Wins Award - South Central VA Health Care Network recently honored Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas for an innovative employee education program. The Innovations in Education Award, given quarterly by the network's director, recognizes an educational program at one of the network's ten medical centers that is the most innovative. (08/18/2005)
Houston VA Coronary Care Unit Named One of Best in Houston Gulf Coast Area - HOUSTON - The Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center was recently awarded the COMET award by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses - Houston Gulf Coast Chapter. The COMET award is used by the organization to recognize the three intensive care units in the Houston Gulf Coast area that attain high quality care, provide excellent care to patients, and demonstrate a healthy workplace for nurses. (08/17/2005)
High Tech Call System at Houston VA Enables Patients to Talk to Nurses Anywhere, Anytime - HOUSTON -Veteran inpatients at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) are now able to talk with their nurses anywhere, anytime simply by using a newly installed and enhanced nurse call system. Patients are able to relay their needs immediately and know a healthcare professional is simply a telephone call away. (08/11/2005)
Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia:Houston VAs Health Care Rated Top Nationwide - HOUSTON - According to a 2005 Quality Check report from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the health care the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) provides in three critical medical areas ranks among the very best nationwide. The report found MEDVAMC performance in caring for patients with heart attacks, heart failure, and pneumonia was above most nationwide and statewide Joint Commission-accredited organizations. (07/28/2005)
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Named 2005 Most Wired Hospital 2nd Year in a Row - New survey demonstrates that technology can play an important role in quality of health care.
(07/19/2005)
Houston VA Cares for U.S. Marine Injured in Iraq - HOUSTON - In August 2004, fighting broke out in Najaf, Iraq between the U.S. Marines and a militant group of Iraqi insurgents known as the al-Mahdi Army. The majority of the military conflict was located around the Imam Ali shrine and the Wadi al-Salam cemetery. It was during this conflict on August 5, 2004, that a local Houstonian, U.S. Marine 1st Lt. David Lewis was blinded in battle. (07/14/2005)
Local Hospitals Follow VA's Lead With Computerized Patient Records - HOUSTON - U.S. Air Force veteran Clayton Murphy likes the fact that each one of his doctors and nurses at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) can access important information about his health and medical care in just a matter of seconds. Using the VA's Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), MEDVAMC health care providers are not hindered like their non-VA colleagues with poorly organized folders filled with wrinkled and faded papers. (07/12/2005)
Military Might - Today's VA hospitals are models of top-notch care - Three summers ago, Augustin Martinez's skin was yellow. He was in pain. And physicians at Kaiser Permanente, his usual source of care, were baffled. The frustrated Martinez, a retired Lockheed Martin engineer in San Jose, Calif., asked his brother, a New York physician, for advice. After consulting colleagues, his brother advised him to go to the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in nearby Palo Alto. Martinez, a former Navy petty officer 2nd class, was entitled to VA care (eligibility depends on several factors, including date and length of military service, injury, and income). But his brother's recommendation took him by surprise. Better care at a VA hospital? But he went--and was quickly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by Sherry Wren, chief of general surgery, who operated on him within days. He has relied on VA hospitals and clinics ever since. "They run a good ship," says Martinez, now age 72. (07/11/2005)
Human Patient Simulator Teaches Anesthesia Residents at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), in collaboration with the Anesthesiology Department of Baylor College of Medicine, is the only VA facility in Texas to offer hands-on learning experience and true-to-life scenario training to its anesthesia residents, interns, student registered nurse anesthetists, and medical students using a high fidelity computer-model-driven, full-sized mannequin called the Human Patient Simulator (HPS).
(07/11/2005)
VA Study Gives New Hope to Shingles Sufferers - HOUSTON - Relief from the painful symptoms of shingles is closer for millions of Americans, thanks to a pioneering study by researchers predominately from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (06/03/2005)
Houston First VA Hospital to Use FDA-Approved Endovascular Device to Treat Thoracic Aorta Aneurysms - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is among the first hospitals in the country to use an FDA-approved endovascular device to treat patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm. (05/23/2005)
New Stroke Center Opens at Houston VA - HOUSTON - Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death. More than 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. Every 45 seconds an American has a stroke; every three minutes someone dies of a stroke in this country; and 15-30 percent of stroke survivors have serious long-term disability. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that it hospitalizes 15,000 veterans with a stroke each year. (05/08/2005)
Medical Team Training Focuses on Communication - HOUSTON - Patient safety is a top priority at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). The Operative Care Team is leading the way through Medical Team Training, creating an environment to enhance communication among clinicians. (04/29/2005)
VA Opens New Outpatient Clinic in Texas City - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of its new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Texas City, Texas. (04/27/2005)
Talking to a Computer Makes Getting X-Ray Results Quicker and Easier at Houston VA - HOUSTON - Remember when you waited days to learn the results of your X-rays? New technology at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) now enables radiologists to quickly record medical test results without the time-consuming hassles of dictating and transcribing. (04/25/2005)
Volunteers are Critical Asset to Veteran Health Care - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) honors volunteers who share their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of our communitys veterans during National Volunteer Week, April 17-23. (04/15/2005)
VA Opens New Outpatient Clinic in Texas City - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) opened its second Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Galveston County on April 4, 2005. This much-anticipated facility is located at 9300 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 206 in Texas City. The first CBOC, located at 6115 Avenue L in Galveston, opened on March 4, 2005. (04/14/2005)
Veterans at the Houston VA "Breathe in a Bag" for Diagnosis of Stomach Ulcers - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) uses the breath test as one method to diagnose the cause of upper abdominal discomfort, indigestion, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer and provide appropriate treatment. (04/11/2005)
Houston VA Earns Accreditation from American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - HOUSTON - Last week the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics approved the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Orthotics and Prosthetics Center for another three-year accreditation. Edgar L. Tucker, MEDVAMC director was advised of the national recognition and congratulated by the organization for "scoring a perfect 100." (04/11/2005)
Truck Loads of Furniture Arrive for New Houston Fisher House - HOUSTON - This morning at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), seven Gallery Furniture trucks lined the road behind the new Houston Fisher House delivering chairs, couches, tables, beds - everything needed to turn this empty house into a home. (03/31/2005)
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Galveston VA Clinic - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 10 a.m. celebrating the opening of its new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Galveston, Texas. (03/04/2005)
Houston VA Recognized as Only VA with Consistently Low Mortality Rates 5 Years in a Row - HOUSTON - On February 16, 2005, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) received special recognition from the National Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Executive Committee for demonstrating consistently low observed-to-expected mortality rates in general surgery, all surgery, and all non-cardiac surgery five years in a row. The MEDVAMC is the only VA facility to receive this commendation. (02/22/2005)
Houston VA Receives Praise for Cardiac Surgery Program - HOUSTON - Last week, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) received praise from the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program (CICSP) for its remarkable mortality rate of zero percent for coronary artery bypass surgeries in the last six months. In addition, the MEDVAMC was commended for demonstrating consistently low mortality rates in its Cardiac Surgery Section. (02/07/2005)
New Outpatient Clinic for Galveston County Veterans Opens in March - [Friday, March 4, 2005, 10 a.m.] Officially opening for patient care on Monday, March 7, 2005, the Galveston CBOC will provide primary care and mental health services for veterans in the area and is expected to see about 4,000 patients the first year of operation. The new Galveston CBOC will greatly expand the VAs capacity for outpatient care in southeast Texas. (02/03/2005)
High-Tech Robotic Laboratory Processor at Houston VA Means Faster and More Accurate Test Results for Patients - HOUSTON - The state-of-the-art robotic processor system inside the laboratory at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has drastically cut the time health care professionals wait for results of crucial medical tests. The MEDVAMC is the only facility in Houston to offer this important diagnostic technology to its patients. (02/02/2005)
Veterans Feel at Home When Hospitalized at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - HOUSTON - In an effort to create a more home-like environment for veteran inpatients, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently finished a major upgrade and redesign of patient rooms. The new accommodations are modern, brighter, and more comfortable. The designs are a significant step away from the typical hospital setting and focus on patient well-being, both physically and mentally. (01/10/2005)
Houston VA Medical Laboratory Earns Accreditation From College of American Pathologists - HOUSTON - The medical laboratory at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has been awarded re-accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. (01/04/2005)
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2004
A Bug Can Be Better Than A Drug - News (12/09/2004)
Study Pinpoints Causes of Acute Gastrointestinal Illness and Identifies Best Prevention Tactics - News (12/06/2004)
Houston VA Offering New Method for Treating Painful and Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids - News (11/29/2004)
Houston VA Gives Veterans a Lift - News (11/05/2004)
"Legs For Life Campaign" Walks into Houston VA - News (11/02/2004)
Houston VA Receives Accreditation from Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories - News (10/27/2004)
Houston VA Receives Accreditation from American College of Radiology - News (09/08/2004)
Houston VA Wins National Quality Award - News (08/30/2004)
Houston VA Opens State-of-the-Art Cardiac Intervention Laboratory - News (08/24/2004)
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Designated a Magnet Hospital by American Nurse Credentialing Center - News (08/16/2004)
Camera Pill Takes Photographs Inside Veterans at Houston VA - News (07/21/2004)
Nurses at Houston VA Make Long-term Commitment to Care for Veterans - News (07/07/2004)
Houston VA Renaming Ceremony - Advisory (06/25/2004)
Houston VA Renaming Ceremony - Advisory (06/17/2004)
Two Unique Employees Start Work at the Houston VA - News (06/10/2004)
FACT SHEET: Plastic Reconstructive Surgery at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Fact Sheet (05/26/2004)
Vietnam Veterans Show Their Support for Combat Troops - News (05/24/2004)
Houston VA Physician Reviews Appropriate Treatments for Surgical Implants in New England Journal of Medicine - News (04/20/2004)
VA Offers Unique Education Opportunity for Employees - News (04/13/2004)
VA Announces Homeless Assistance Award to Houston Group - News (04/13/2004)
VA Wants Former POWs to Know About Available Benefits - News (04/02/2004)
Veterans Look Forward to Popcorn Days - News (03/18/2004)
Houston VA Ranked Number #1 in Surgical Outcomes - News (03/11/2004)
VA Surgeons Examine Best Vessels for Use in Coronary Artery Bypass Operation - News (03/09/2004)
Study Shows VA Care for Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes Comparable or Better Than Private Sector - News (03/04/2004)
Houston First VA Hospital Using Innovative Technique to Treat Lower Leg Arterial Disease - News (03/01/2004)
Health Call Center at Houston VA Receives URAC Accreditation - News (02/26/2004)
New Equipment Allows More Blood Testing at Lufkin VA Outpatient Clinic - News (02/25/2004)
Houston VA's Mental Health Care Line Ranks High in Serving Veterans - News (02/05/2004)
Houston VA One of First Area Hospitals with Life-Saving Portable Defibrillator Program - News (01/22/2004)
Houston VA Surgeons Treating Veterans Suffering from Thoracic Aorta Aneurysms with New, Minimally Invasive Procedure - News (01/20/2004)
Houston VA Renamed for Dr. Michael E. DeBakey - News (01/12/2004)
VA's Largest "Fisher House" Breaks Ground in Houston - Advisory (01/05/2004)
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2003
President George H. W. Bush Visits Houston VA Medical Center - News (12/23/2003)
By Popular Demand, Valet Parking Now Available - News (12/19/2003)
Houston VA Surgeons Treating Veterans Suffering from Thoracic Aorta Aneurysms with New, Minimally Invasive Procedure - News (12/15/2003)
Houston VA Awarded 3-Year Accreditation for Inpatient Rehabilitation Program - News (12/12/2003)
Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons Grants Approval to Houston VA Cancer Program - News (12/11/2003)
Study Shows Liver Cancer Doubled in the United States in the Last Two Decades - News (11/18/2003)
Houston VA Leaves the Days of Large, Brown X-Ray Envelopes Behind - News (10/29/2003)
Study: VA Maintained Quality In Shift To Outpatient Care - News (10/22/2003)
VA Employees Save Man's Life After Car Crash - News (10/01/2003)
Did You Know You Could Have Hepatitis C and Not Even Know It? - News (09/05/2003)
Houston VA Medical Center Offers New Patient Orientation Clinic - News (09/03/2003)
Houston VA Work Program Offers Veterans A "Way Back" - News (07/28/2003)
Houston VA Commended During Recent Inspector General Visit - News (07/23/2003)
Houston VA Surgeons Treating Veterans Suffering from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with New, Minimally Invasive Procedure - News (07/21/2003)
Houston VA Surgeons Treating Veterans Suffering from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with New, Minimally Invasive Procedure - News (07/07/2003)
VA Nurses in Lufkin Boast They "Work With Heroes Everyday" - News (06/12/2003)
Your Houston VA Nurses Are Adding to the Science of Nursing - News (05/13/2003)
Houston VA Researcher Explores Mechanisms of Lou Gehrig's Disease to Develop Future Treatments - News (05/12/2003)
Houston VA Receives Prestigious Surgery Commendation - News (05/08/2003)
Skin Cancer: Learn the Facts So You Don't Get Burned this Summer - News (05/08/2003)
Physicians at Houston VA Offer New Procedure to Prevent Strokes - News (05/07/2003)
Volunteers - "Serving On The Home Front" - News (04/22/2003)
Understanding Blood Clot Mechanisms May Lead to New Drugs for Heart Attacks and Strokes - News (04/21/2003)
VA Physician Honored for Work in Disease Prevention - News (04/18/2003)
Houston VA Implements New and Innovative Procedures to Ensure Your Safety in Surgery - News (04/14/2003)
Computerized Patient Records Unique to VA - News (03/25/2003)
How Supermarket-Scanning Technology is Used to Prevent Medication Errors at the Houston VA - News (03/14/2003)
Houston VA Medical Center and American Legion Auxiliary Bring Comfort to Terminally Ill Veterans - Advisory (02/07/2003)
Physicians at Houston VA Medical Center Offer Innovative Cardiac Support Device for Patients - News (02/07/2003)
Houston VA Research Looks at Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Veterans with COPD - News (01/07/2003)
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2002
Houston VA Medical Center Awarded Accreditation From Joint Commission - News (11/20/2002)
Don't Let the Flu Bug Bite You This Year - News (11/13/2002)
DNA-based HIV Vaccine Under Development at Houston VA - News (11/13/2002)
Heart Failure: Knowledge Makes a Difference in Quality of Life - News (11/13/2002)
Houston VA Women's Health Center - A Unique Place for Women - News (11/13/2002)
VA Clinical Care and Local Houston Universities Form Bold Partnerships to Address Nursing Shortage - News (11/13/2002)
VA Offers New Treatment for Veterans with Hepatitis C - News (11/12/2002)
VA Health System is "Best in the Nation," Says IOM - News (11/01/2002)
VA Medical Center Director Named Federal Executive of the Year 2002 - News (10/24/2002)
Visual Impairment Team Keeps An Eye on Veterans - News (09/12/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center In Trial of Cardiac Gene Therapy - News (09/10/2002)
Houston VA Researchers Demystifying Cell Linked to Allergy, Inflammation, and Fighting Infection - News (09/10/2002)
How Supermarket-Scanning Technology is Used to Prevent Medication Errors at the Houston VA - News (09/10/2002)
New Assessments and Therapies for Prostate Cancer Being Developed at Houston VA - News (09/10/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center In Trial Of Cardiac Gene Therapy - News (08/16/2002)
Growth Factors Critical to Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment - News (07/29/2002)
Houston VA Study Seeks to Limit Secondary Injuries Due to Mustard Gas Exposure - News (07/29/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center Confirms Case of West Nile Virus - News (07/22/2002)
Houston VA Focuses on Hepatitis Awareness - News (07/16/2002)
Houston VA Boasts Award-Winning Surgical Program - News (07/16/2002)
Houston Cardiac Surgery Section Model for Rest of VA - News (07/16/2002)
Houston VA Focuses on Hepatitis Awareness - News (06/04/2002)
VA Parkinson's Disease Symposium Provides Insights into Research and Care - News (05/10/2002)
Telerehab System Brings Back "House Calls" - News (05/10/2002)
Kinesiotherapy: Physical Rehabilitation through Exercise and Muscle Re-education - News (05/08/2002)
Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries Receive Comprehensive Care at the Houston VA Medical Center - News (05/03/2002)
Houston Physicians Discuss New Discoveries in Parkinson's Disease - News (04/24/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center Performs its First Epilepsy Surgery - News (04/15/2002)
VA Conference Delves into the Frightening World of Schizophrenia - News (04/15/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center Teaches Veterans to Find Medical Info on the Web - News (04/02/2002)
Houston VA Receives General Surgery Commendation - News (03/28/2002)
Unlocking The Secrets Of Heart Failure - News (03/27/2002)
Could You Have A Serious Heart Condition And Not Even Know It? - News (03/14/2002)
What Role Does Race And Ethnicity Play In Medical Interactions Between Patients And Their Doctors? - News (03/06/2002)
Houston VA Medical Center Wins Excellence In Health Care Award - News (01/29/2002)
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