United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston, Texas

News Releases
Public Affairs, (713) 794-7349

News Releases Archive
Public Affairs, (713) 794-7349

2012

Houston VA Docs Recognized by Baylor College of Medicine for Excellence in Education - Recently, Baylor College of Medicine selected its outstanding educators for 2012. These faculty members included 15 physicians from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (05/15/2012)

Houston VA Employees Recognized at Public Service Awards - Earlier this month, the Houston Federal Executive Board presented public service awards to three employees of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (05/14/2012)

Memorial Day Service at Houston VA National Cemetery - A special Memorial Day Service will be held on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Houston VA National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. (05/14/2012)

Homeless Veterans Block Party - The 1st Annual Homeless Veteran Block Party is free for eligible Veterans and their family members. (04/17/2012)

Houston VA Doctor Receives Prestigious Award - The editors of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) honored Blase A. Carabello, M.D., F.A.C.C., with the Simon Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship at their editorial board meeting in Chicago on March 25, 2012. The Simon Dack Award, named for the founding editor of JACC, recognizes peer reviewers who assist the journal in its mission of publishing important new clinical information. (04/04/2012)

Houston VA Domiciliary Awarded Accreditation for Residential Rehabilitation Treatment - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was recently awarded a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program. (04/04/2012)

Houston VA Awarded Accreditation for Homeless and Vocational Rehab Programs - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was recently awarded a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. (04/04/2012)

New High-tech, Telemedicine Devices Lead Veterans to Better Health and More Independence - Veterans with chronic medical conditions requiring frequent monitoring now have access to a wide variety of convenient, easy-t--use telemedicine devices that send daily health updates from their homes to VA health care providers. (04/04/2012)

Injured Navy Veteran Finds Balance at Houston VA Rehab Center - Darion Nelson served as an operational specialist in the U.S. Navy from 2002 until 2011. Like more than 24 million Americans who have served in the military, the Houston native risked life and limb to serve and protect his country. (03/01/2012)

Richmond VA Clinic is Ft. Bend's Best Kept Secret - Unfortunately - The Richmond VA Outpatient Clinic is making a difference in the lives of Veterans in the Ft. Bend area, but not as many as the staff would like. In fact, the clinic only sees about 170 patients a week. (02/17/2012)

Houston VA Psychologist Recognized by Veterans County Service Officers Association for Changing Live - On February 7, 2012, the Veterans County Service Officers Association of Texas (Harris County) recognized Ashley Clinton, Ph.D., a psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), for her work with Veterans who served in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. (02/17/2012)

National Salute to Veteran Patients Week - February 12 through 18, 2012 is a special time at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the nation. Established as an official VA program in 1978, this week is known as National Salute to Veteran Patients and is an annual event designed to increase awareness of Veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our nation. It is an opportunity for the public to visit MEDVAMC and its outpatient clinics, meet America's Veterans, and explore the various aspects of our facility's volunteer program. (02/08/2012)

Need to Talk to Your Doc? Use Email! - A new secure, online communication tool called "Secure Messaging" is now available for Veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) through the VA's MyHealtheVet website at www.myhealth.va.gov. (01/30/2012)

Outpatient Pharmacy Reducing Wait Times - The Outpatient Pharmacy at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) fills almost 2,000 prescriptions at its window every day. Many of these are for routine refills and non-urgent medications; consequently, creating long wait times for Veterans who have critical medication needs, are being discharged from the hospital, or were seen in the emergency room. (01/27/2012)

New Medical Technique for PTSD - Many Veterans return to civilian life having experienced traumatic events. Researchers recently discovered these experiences actually produce changes in the brain. A new medical study currently being conducted at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in cooperation with Baylor College of Medicine uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to learn how deployment affects the brain and to improve treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). (01/27/2012)

Houston VA Doc’s Article Rated #1 by Medical Journal - Neena S. Abraham M.D., M.S.C.E., F.A.C.G., F.A.S.G.E., a gastroenterologist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), has authored an article that was rated as the most highly read of 2011 by an online medical journal service. (01/11/2012)

Wheelchair-Bound Veteran Now on the Road to Walking - Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Physical Therapist Sheryl Vandeven listened intently as Army Veteran David Pruitt told her about the day he had surgery and realized he "could not feel anything in his lower legs." (01/10/2012)

Veteran Family Safety: Free Gun Locks - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is participating in a Gun Safety Lock Program that has made thousands of free gun safety locks available to Veterans and their families (01/09/2012)

Houston VA Launches Facebook Page - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently launched its own page on Facebook, the world's largest social networking site. (01/05/2012)

Houston VA Launches Facebook Page - "This is an important milestone in our efforts to transform how we communicate with Veterans," said Adam C. Walmus, M.H.A., M.A., F.A.C.H.E., Medical Center director. "Millions of Veterans and their family members use social media each day, so we are continuously searching for new ways to provide information to them, expand access, and embrace two-way conversation." (01/04/2012)

Too Risky for Surgery, Houston VA Offers Army Veteran an Alternative - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is the first VA to implant an innovative artificial heart valve recently approved for commercial use by the Food and Drug Administration. (01/04/2012)

Houston VA Selected as Women's Health Research Site - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center was recently selected as a Women's Health Practice-Based Research Network Member Site by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (01/04/2012)

Million Veteran Program: A Partnership with Veterans - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of 40 VA medical centers selected across the nation to serve as an enrollment site for a voluntary research program - The Million Veteran Program (MVP). (01/04/2012)

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2011

Public Affairs Office & Media Inquiries, (713) 794-7349 - You may also reach the Public Affairs Office at vhahoupublicaffairs@va.gov. (12/31/2011)

People Who Have Suffered with the Flu Can Tell You What You Are Missing - Each year, people at risk of severe, even life-threatening influenza refuse the flu shot. The reasons vary, but the most frequent excuses health care providers hear are 'I never get the flu;' 'the shot gave me the flu;' or simply, 'I don't like shots.' (12/17/2011)

VA Announces New Outpatient Clinics for Katy and Tomball - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will open new outpatient clinics in the cities of Katy and Tomball in late 2012. (12/16/2011)

I Came To the Houston VA and the World Was Opened Up To Me - Navy Veteran Larry knows that, in the minds of many, the thought of a homeless person conjures up images of someone who is disheveled, addicted, and destitute. Unfortunately, Larry was all of those things and more, but with the help of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, he was able to turn his life around and again become a productive member of society. (12/13/2011)

Using Air to Blast Away Infection - As a result of a $1.2 million award from the National Institutes of Health, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is initiating a pilot study of a novel device to determine its ability to reduce bacterial contamination and decrease the incidence of surgical site infection after surgical procedures requiring insertion of prostheses. (12/06/2011)

Caring Enough to Help Recover Veteran's Lost Historical Keepsakes - A nurse at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently helped recover an important piece of Vietnam War history while treating a patient using a special nursing technique. (11/29/2011)

Telemedicine Connects Veterans to Critical Medical Care - Patients of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) who live far away have better options when it comes to medical care thanks to a new telemedicine program being used in its Anesthesiology Pre-Operative Evaluation Clinic (POEC). (11/21/2011)

Houston VA Doctor Recognized for Service to Veterans - Sally Ann Holmes, M.D., the Spinal Cord Injury Care Line executive at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, received the Operation American Heroes Foundation Founder’s Award at a ceremony at the Sugarland Marriott on November 10, 2011. (11/17/2011)

Conroe VA Clinic Expansion in the Works - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday it will expand its Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic to handle the growing Veteran demand for health care in the area. (11/17/2011)

VA Medical Center Director Recognized for Efforts to Promote Alternative Dispute Resolution - Adam C. Walmus, M.H.A., M.A., F.A.C.H.E., director of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, was recognized for his outstanding efforts in promoting alternative dispute resolution by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during a ceremony held today in Washington, D.C. (11/09/2011)

VA Offers Free Flu Shots for Veterans - Free flu shots are now available for Veterans, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and its outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Lufkin, Richmond, and Texas City. (11/09/2011)

VA Medical Center Plans New Parking Structures - New parking structures are in the works for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). The project, scheduled to begin in February, is expected to provide much-needed parking relief for a medical center that logged more than one million outpatient visits last fiscal year. (11/07/2011)

World's Smallest Heart Pump Offers Veterans New Hope - A miniature pump, so small that it can be inserted through an artery and placed inside the heart within a few minutes, offers new hope to critically ill heart attack and heart failure patients at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. (11/03/2011)

Hospital Food Is No Joke at the Houston VA - Hospital patients do not normally look forward to mealtime, but at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), patients are being treated like valued guests when it is time to eat. The MEDVAMC recently began use of a new meal transportation system that keeps each food the right temperature and speeds delivery. The new $1.4 million food cart system was installed in early August and provides the latest technology for health care meal service. (11/02/2011)

Houston VA Pulls Nail from Vietnam Veteran’s Coffin - Recently, cancer experts at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) successfully treated a patient's liver cancer using a medically advanced, fully laparoscopic, anatomic liver resection technique. Just days later, the Veteran left the hospital cancer-free with a new outlook on life. (11/02/2011)

New Lake Jackson VA Clinic Already Helping Vets - Not even a month old and the Lake Jackson VA Outpatient Clinic has already made a difference in the lives of Veterans living nearby. In fact, some Veterans were treated even before the clinic officially opened. (11/01/2011)

Participants Needed For Schizophrenia and Bipolar Illness Study - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is currently conducting research addressing the genetics of functional disability of individuals suffering with schizophrenia and bipolar illness. (10/25/2011)

Homeless Veterans find Essential Services at Stand Down - The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, in cooperation with the City of Houston-Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Houston-Office of Veterans Affairs, B.P.O. Elks, Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., Bush Cares Project, Coalition for the Homeless, Daughters of the American Revolution, Goodwill Industries of Houston, Harris County Veteran Services, Housing Corporation of Greater Houston, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, SEARCH, Texas Veterans Commission, U.S. Veterans Initiative, VA Regional Office, Vet Centers, and numerous Veteran Service Organizations, held the 11th Annual Houston Stand Down for homeless Veterans on October 20, 2011 at the Emancipation Park Community Center. (10/24/2011)

Death’s Door and Back: VA Doctors Save Korean War Veteran’s Life - Surgeons at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently performed an emergency, contained ruptured aneurysm fenestrated graft repair using a special stent configuration to save the life of an 82-year-old, Army Veteran. (10/20/2011)

Houston VA Hosts 11th Annual Stand Down for Homeless Veterans - The 11th Annual Stand Down is an opportunity for homeless Veterans to access a broad spectrum of services at one convenient location and to create a plan for re-entry into mainstream society. The event brings a wide range of specialized resources together to provide homeless Veterans with comprehensive medical and psychosocial services. It also offers programs specific to women and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Veterans. (10/12/2011)

VA Outpatient Clinic in Lake Jackson Now Open - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center held a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony officially opening its new VA Outpatient Clinic in Lake Jackson. (10/12/2011)

VA Researcher Promotes Better Care for Liver Cancer Patients - Each year, more than half a million people worldwide receive a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma related to the hepatitis C virus is the fastest rising cause of U.S. cancer-related deaths. A researcher at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has summarized recent advances in prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment in order for physicians everywhere may be better educated and improve care for their patients. (10/11/2011)

Patients See a Difference at Expanded Eye Clinic - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently completed a highly anticipated renovation of its nationally recognized Eye Clinic. Eight new examination rooms or eye lanes, four new procedure rooms, and more space to provide care to Veterans were added during this expansion project. (10/05/2011)

VA Program for Homeless Veterans Receives Prestigious Award - The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently received the prestigious Torchbearer Award from the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP). (09/30/2011)

VA Nurse Practitioner Named Outstanding Nurse by Texas Nurses Association - Nurse Practitioner Jane Anderson, Ph.D., F.N.P.-B.C., was selected as one of the Texas Nurses Association's 20 Outstanding Nurses for 2011. Anderson will receive her award on November 10, 2011 at the organization's Nursing Celebration 2011 (09/28/2011)

"Women are Veterans, Too!" Expo - The Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic is sponsoring a “Women are Veterans, Too!” Expo on October 14, 2011. This event is free and open to all women Veterans living in east Texas. (09/16/2011)

ABC’s of Vaccines - The development of vaccines has been one of the most important advances in medical science. Don’t ignore the benefits of these potentially life-saving immunizations. (09/02/2011)

Lake Jackson VA Clinic Opens for Patient Care on October 11 - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will open a VA outpatient clinic in Lake Jackson on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. (08/15/2011)

Complex Aneurysm Surgery Saves Air Force Veteran's Life - Surgeons at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently performed complex aneurysm surgery using a special stent configuration to save the life of a 76-year-old, Air Force Veteran suffering from complex aortoiliac aneurysm. (08/09/2011)

Air Force Veteran Selected as New Deputy Director of VA Medical Center - Air Force Veteran Bryan T. Bayley, M.H.A., F.A.C.H.E.-B.C. was recently selected as the new deputy director for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). In this new post, Bayley, who has been with VA since 2000, will serve as the chief operating officer for the organization. (08/08/2011)

More Funds for Homeless Veterans (Families) Prevention Initiative - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday the additional award of more than $820,000 to two non-profit community agencies in southeast Texas that will serve approximately 270 homeless and at-risk Veteran families as part of the new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. (08/03/2011)

Kosten Named New Head of Research at Houston VA - Thomas R. Kosten, M.D. was recently selected as the Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). In his new post, Kosten is charged with management of one of the largest research programs in the VA health care system. (07/26/2011)

Houston VA Leads Fight against Esophageal Cancer - An outpatient treatment that destroys pre-cancerous tissue in the lining of the esophagus is now widely available for Veterans at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. (07/21/2011)

Grant Provides More Than $666K for Permanent Housing for Homeless Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the award of $666,765 to the Harris County Housing Authority to increase permanent housing and case management for area Veterans. (07/19/2011)

New Gateway to Your VA Benefits - eBenefits is your one-stop shop for online benefits-related tools and information. This portal is designed for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, Service Members, their families, and their caregivers. We invite you to explore eBenefits and become a registered user. (07/15/2011)

Participants Needed For Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Studies - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is currently recruiting participants for several clinical research studies investigating traumatic brain injury (TBI). (07/07/2011)

Depression versus anxiety: know the symptoms, similarities and differences - The connection between depression and anxiety is stronger than what it was previously thought to be. However, an expert at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) cautions that medications for the two cannot necessarily be used interchangeably. (07/01/2011)

Quality of Care at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Located on a 118-acre campus and built in 1991, MEDVAMC is a state-of-the-art facility with an automated, computer-controlled transport system delivering food, laundry, and supplies throughout the building. The 6-story granite building is designed with 4 exterior sections and 4 atriums containing patio gardens, wheelchair basketball courts, and a rehabilitation pool. On each floor, there are 4 pneumatic trash and linen chutes. Each chute takes soiled linens and the majority of generated trash directly to either dumpsters or the in-house laundry. This eliminates the possibility of moving contaminated items within the main building. (07/01/2011)

Bipolar Disorder - My Personal Journey to Understanding - "The Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center offers a variety of skill groups like social skills, illness management and recovery, and clear thinking, as well as activities in the community, such as a volunteer group," said Social Worker John Dietrich, L.C.S.W., L.C.D.C. meeting with Army Veteran Cheryl Jefferson. "Veterans meet with their coaches to develop individualized goals and develop a plan to reach them." (06/17/2011)

36 Local Veterans Compete in 25th National Veterans Golden Age Games - Thirty-six Veterans from the Houston area recently participated in the 25th National Veterans Golden Age Games held in Honolulu. The team brought home five gold, ten silver and nine bronze medals. The Games are open to all U.S. military Veterans age 55 or older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. (06/15/2011)

Prepare Now for Hurricane Season - The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially started on June 1, 2011. It is important to prepare your family for unexpected disasters and emergencies. (06/15/2011)

Introduction to Epilepsy and Seizures - The VA Epilepsy Center of Excellence is hosting a series of free audio conferences providing education and training to Veterans and caregivers to improve the health and well-being of patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. During this conference call, Epileptologist Nina Garga, M.D., from the Epilepsy Center of Excellence at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, will discuss what is a seizure and what is epilepsy, and how they differ; the different types of seizures; what causes seizures and how to respond when individual has a seizure; and when to seek treatment of epilepsy and seizures from a healthcare provider. (06/08/2011)

Houston VA Docs Recognized by Baylor College of Medicine - Recently, Baylor College of Medicine selected its outstanding educators for 2011. These faculty members included eight physicians from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (06/02/2011)

Veteran Finally Cancer-free after Medically Advanced, Laparoscopic Liver Surgery - Cancer experts at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently removed a patient’s liver tumor using a medically advanced, laparoscopic technique. (06/01/2011)

Outrageous Number of Veteran Deaths Caused by Smoking - Smoking is a chronic condition which affects every organ of your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 443,000 deaths are caused each year by cigarette smoking. This is more than HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. (05/05/2011)

New Housing Option for Homeless, Female Veterans - In order to meet the growing needs of homeless, female Veterans in southeast Texas, the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a VA Per Diem Project to the Santa Maria Hostel, a 501©(3) non-profit organization located in Houston. (05/02/2011)

Use Secure Email to Talk with Your Doctor - A new secure, online communication tool called "Secure Messaging" is now available for Veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) through the VA’s My HealtheVet website at www.myhealth.va.gov. (04/26/2011)

VA Infection Control Practices Featured in New England Journal of Medicine - A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative that reduced the global health care issue of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections by more than 60 percent in intensive care units (ICU) across the Nation is featured in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. It reports data from the first three years of the initiative that is now in its fourth year of implementation, and which continues to be associated with decreased rates of MRSA infections. (04/19/2011)

Test Discovered by VA Physician Detects Carotid Plaques - With retired National Football League (NFL) players as research study participants, a physician from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center discovered a specialized cholesterol test may predict carotid plaques better in those individuals with metabolic syndrome. The findings were reported recently at the American College of Cardiology 60th Annual Scientific Session & Expo and Innovation in Intervention: i2 Summit 2011 in New Orleans. (04/19/2011)

The Magic of CT Scans - The invention of Computed Tomography has undoubtedly been one of the greatest advances for the diagnosis and treatment of disease ranging from strokes to cancers. (04/15/2011)

Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in African-Americans - Elevated levels of a type of cholesterol known as Lipoprotein(a) should be considered linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in African-Americans, as reported by a physician from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center at the American Heart Association, Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Sessions in Atlanta. (04/11/2011)

Shutdown: What You Need to Know - Shutdown: What You Need to Know In the event of a federal shutdown, most VA services will still be available. However, it’s important that you know what would be impacted. For the full list of what would be available and what would be suspended, check out our Veterans Field Guide. (04/08/2011)

Predicting Atrial Fibrillation - Genetic markers have been identified that can predict the likelihood of patients developing atrial fibrillation after bypass surgery, as reported by a physician from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center at the American College of Cardiology 60th Annual Scientific Session & Expo and Innovation in Intervention: i2 Summit 2011 in New Orleans. (04/06/2011)

Houston VA Physician Helps Draft the National Guidelines for Unstable Angina - New guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (termed acute coronary syndromes) have been released by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The guidelines were created by a consortium of national experts including a cardiologist from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. (04/05/2011)

El Campo Mom of Two Selected as VA Volunteer of the Year - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently selected El Campo, Tx. resident Georgia Mican as its Volunteer of the Year. (04/01/2011)

Navy Veteran Selected as New VA Medical Center Associate Director - Navy Veteran Francisco Vazquez, B.S.C.S., M.B.A., was recently selected as the new associate director for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). In his new post, Vazquez, who has been with VA since 1995, will serve as the MEDVAMC's chief operating officer charged with day-to-day operations and management of the facility's $630 million annual budget. (03/31/2011)

Houston VA Psychiatrist Named to IOM's Armed Forces Substance Use Disorder Committee - Thomas R. Kosten, M.D., senior advisor on Substance Abuse based in the Mental Health Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), was recently selected to serve on the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces. (03/25/2011)

Texas City VA Clinic Reopens - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) reopened a VA outpatient clinic in Texas City on March 18, 2011. (03/21/2011)

Veteran Does Push-ups Just 2 Days after Robotic Lung Surgery - Surgeons at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently performed a robotic-assisted lung resection to successfully and rapidly treat a 59-year-old Veteran suffering from lung cancer. (03/21/2011)

Houston VA Achieves "Advanced Primary Stroke Center" Status - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. The MEDVAMC was awarded the distinction of being the first VA medical center with this designation after The Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in February. (03/07/2011)

Participants Needed For Novel Intervention Study for Treatment-Resistant Depression - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is currently conducting several clinical research studies offering novel interventions for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The goal is to reduce the time when patients are at greatest risk for serious consequences of depression such as suicide (03/04/2011)

Houston First VA to Fit Patient with PowerFoot BIOM - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently became the first VA medical center to fit a patient with the iWalk PowerFoot BIOMTM, just weeks after Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and Walter Reed in Washington, D.C. This technologically advanced prosthesis is the world's first bionic lower leg system to replace the action of the foot, Achilles tendon, and calf muscle and offer a near normalized gait for amputees. (02/23/2011)

New VA Outpatient Clinic to Open in Lake Jackson This Summer - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will open a new VA outpatient clinic in Lake Jackson this summer. (02/10/2011)

VA Docs Zap Tumors in Hard to Reach Places Using New Technology - Always on the forefront of innovative treatments and technologies, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) now provides Veterans a targeted, painless alternative to open surgery and a medical option for certain inoperable tumors. (02/08/2011)

Houston VA Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Receives Accreditation From CAP - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. (02/08/2011)

Veteran Praises VA Weight Loss Program - Army Veteran Michael Ringenberg decided he wanted to be healthier, reduce his medications, and live a long time. During a visit with his primary care physician at the Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic, the MOVE! Program was recommended. (02/01/2011)

VA Docs Give Veteran's Double Cancer a Quick One, Two Punch - Cancer experts at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently performed two unique procedures in a very short timeframe to successfully treat a 71-year-old Veteran suffering from both liver and rectal cancer. (01/31/2011)

78 Houston VA Docs Listed as "Best Doctors" in the Nation - MEDVAMC boasts 46 staff physicians on Best Doctors list plus 32 consultants and attending physicians. (01/25/2011)

Homeless, Downcast Veteran Turns Life Around with VA Support - For 30 long, agonizing years, Air Force Veteran Oliver L. Avery, III abused alcohol to "survive life's challenges." In 2003, he found himself twice divorced, homeless, desperate, and ready for a change. (01/25/2011)

Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic Opens for Patient Care on March 21 - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will reopen a VA outpatient clinic in Texas City on Monday, March 21, 2011. (01/19/2011)

Lufkin VA Clinic Celebrates Unveiling of Larger-Than-Life Statue of Charlie Wilson - The "Standing Tall with Charlie Wilson" statue by artist David Adickes will tower more than 10-feet at the main entrance of the clinic. Adickes, a local southeast Texas sculptor whose work includes the 67-foot-tall Sam Houston at Huntsville, an 8-foot bronze statue of former President George H. W. Bush in the Bush International Airport in Houston, and the 36-foot-tall cellist at Houston's Lyric Centre, came out of retirement to complete this monument. (01/10/2011)

Need Help Losing Weight? - MOVE! is a national weight management program designed by the VA to help Veterans lose weight, keep it off, and improve their health. (01/06/2011)

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2010

VA Physicians Help Draft American Heart Association Guidelines on Vascular Closure Devices - Recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of vascular closure devices have been released by an American Heart Association expert panel made up of physicians and researchers, including two cardiologists from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). (12/29/2010)

24/7 Online Access to VA - My HealtheVet is VA's award-winning e-health website, which offers Veterans, active duty soldiers, their dependents and caregivers anywhere, anytime Internet access to VA health care information and services. Launched nationwide in 2003, My HealtheVet is a free, online Personal Health Record that empowers Veterans to become informed partners in their health care. With My HealtheVet, America's Veterans can access trusted, secure, and current health and benefits information as well as record and store important health and military history information at their convenience. Registering and using My HealtheVet is easy and it's free! (12/21/2010)

Smoking Cessation for Vets - Smoking cessation treatment that is made part of mental health care for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) improves quit rates, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study published in the Dec. 8 Journal of the American Medical Association. (12/20/2010)

"New American Plate" Idea Helps You Eat Healthier - What did your dinner plate look like last night or the night before? Was it heaping full of meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Was there any room for vegetables? Did you stop when you were full or keep eating because it tasted so good? (12/15/2010)

Rebuilding Injured Lives - Combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has demonstrated the nature of modern warfare has changed. There are new causes of injury, improvements in body armor, and surgical stabilization at the front-line of combat. More war-wounded are returning with complex, multiple injuries such as amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injury, visual impairments, and psychological adjustment problems. Moreover, improvised explosive devices, blasts (high pressure waves), landmines, rocket-propelled grenades, and explosive fragments now account for the majority of combat injuries. (12/14/2010)

Studies find intriguing link between PTSD, dementia - Army Veteran Hubert McCarty meets with Mark Kunik, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. "Although we cannot at this time determine the cause for this increased risk, it is essential to determine whether the risk of dementia can be reduced by effectively treating PTSD," said Kunik. (12/09/2010)

Turned Away by 2 Hospitals, VA Saves Young Veteran's Life - HOUSTON - Army Veteran Thaddeus Collins had his first heart attack three months ago. At 42 years old, he underwent an emergency coronary catheterization, a minimally invasive procedure using a thin, flexible tube that accesses the heart, at a local Houston hospital. Tests showed he had severe coronary artery disease stopping blood and oxygen from getting to his heart and blocked carotid arteries stopping oxygen from getting to his brain. Cardiac surgical specialists told him he would never survive surgery and prescribed medication. (12/07/2010)

We're Surrounded by Fast Food, But Don't Surrender - HOUSTON - Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. The United States has the largest fast food industry in the world, and American fast food restaurants are located in more than 100 countries. Fast food makes it easy to get a quick meal. In addition, fast food meals are cheap and you can have it your way - small, medium, large, or supersize. (12/02/2010)

Walk-in Flu Shots Now Available at Local VA Clinics - Free flu shots are available for Veterans, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and its outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Lufkin, and Richmond. (11/29/2010)

Peer Groups Give Veterans Hope - Veterans talking to Veterans about their emotional and mental problems is good medicine. (11/22/2010)

Advanced Technology Enhances Cancer-Fighting Treatment for Veterans - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently enhanced its radiation therapy program by introducing the Philips Wide Bore Computed Tomography (CT) Simulator. The latest investment in cancer-fighting equipment, this machine provides the most advanced imaging technology available today to assist in proper positioning and planning of radiation therapy treatments. (11/18/2010)

Free Parkinson's Conference for Caregivers - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center and the Houston Area Parkinson Society are co-sponsoring their annual conference for caregivers and families of patients with Parkinson's disease. (11/10/2010)

State-of-the-Art Surgical Program Also Offers Advanced Options for Female Veterans - Surgeons at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently performed a technically advanced breast reconstruction procedure on a young female Veteran with breast cancer who had undergone bilateral mastectomies (11/05/2010)

Dementia Diagnosis: A Caregiver's Story - I am a caregiver for my 84-year old father, Mr. Hubert McCarty. We are originally from New Orleans, La. but moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Before the hurricane, my father lived independently, worked every day, was self-employed, and did fine. (11/03/2010)

Special Showing of Documentary, "Chosin" - A special showing will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, 1 p.m. in the 4th Floor Auditorium at the DeBakey VA. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. (11/01/2010)

VA Docs Help Veteran Grow A New Liver - HOUSTON - Cancer treatment experts at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently combined two unique procedures to successfully treat a 58-year-old Veteran suffering from life-threatening liver cancer. (10/26/2010)

Homeless Veterans find Essential Services at Stand Down - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, in cooperation with the City of Houston-Parks and Recreation Department, City of Houston-Office of Veterans Affairs, B.P.O. Elks, Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., Coalition for the Homeless, Daughters of the American Revolution, Goodwill Industries of Houston, Harris County Hospital District (HCHD), Harris County Veteran Services, Housing Corporation of Greater Houston, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP), Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, SEARCH, Texas Veterans Commission, U.S. Veterans Initiative, VA Regional Office, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12024 of The Woodlands and The Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Motorcycle Group of Texas Unit 1-12024 and Vet Centers hosted the 10th Houston Area Stand Down for homeless Veterans on October 21-22, 2010, at the Emancipation Park Community Center. (10/26/2010)

Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic Scheduled to Reopen Early Next Year - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) plans to reopen a VA outpatient clinic in Texas City before March 30, 2011. (10/25/2010)

Houston VA Hosts 10th Stand Down for Homeless Veterans - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, in cooperation with the City of Houston-Parks and Recreation Department and other organizations is hosting the 10th Houston Area Stand Down for homeless Veterans on October 21-22, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Emancipation Park Community Center located at 3018 Dowling Street. (10/21/2010)

Houston VA Holds First Adapted Sports Expo - HOUSTON – Yesterday, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center held an all-day exhibition of adapted sports targeting amputee, polytrauma, and spinal cord injury Veterans. The event’s goal was to show newly injured patients that life is not over just because they lose the use of their legs or arms. (10/15/2010)

New Technology Removes Uncertainly for Family Members of Surgical Patients - HOUSTON - In July, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) introduced a computerized, operating room control system called OR Control. One feature of the new technology allows family members and friends to follow the progress of their loved ones through surgery. (10/06/2010)

New Women's Health Center Opens - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center celebrated the opening of its new Women's Health Center with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 29, 2010. (10/06/2010)

Sex Pill Surprise: Women Treated With Placebo Reported Improvement - Men have had their little blue pills for years, but some women in search of the same kind of libido boost may simply need to talk about their problems in the bedrooms. (09/16/2010)

VA Has Solution for High Blood Pressure - HOUSTON - A quality-improvement initiative report published on September 14 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes shows group clinics implemented in the primary care setting can be extremely effective in helping individuals get their blood pressure under control. (09/15/2010)

Pivotal VA Study Finds Link between PTSD and Dementia - HOUSTON - Results of a study reported in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a greater risk for dementia than Veterans without PTSD, even those who suffered traumatic injuries. (09/02/2010)

With 6 Months to Live, State-of-the-Art Virtual Tumor Board Gives Navy Veteran Second Chance at Life - HOUSTON - Navy Veteran Roy Whitehead was told he had six to 12 months to live when he saw doctors near his small hometown of Morgan City, La. But his oncologist at the New Orleans VA Outpatient Clinic, Nancy Vander Velde, M.D., told him because he was a Veteran, he had access to a new pilot program in Houston that might save his life. (08/23/2010)

"Door to Balloon" Time Can Save Lives; Houston VA Averages Quick 61 Minutes - HOUSTON - The "Heart Attack Team" at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is on-call 24 hours, seven days a week, ready to report immediately to duty when a patient arrives at the VA in cardiac distress. This team of physicians and nurses prepares the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to receive a patient for treatment by balloon angioplasty or stent. (08/19/2010)

VA Responds to Returning Veterans - Recent media reports have declared that timely, dignified care should be provided to returning servicemen and women. At the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, we completely agree. (08/03/2010)

VA Medical Center Director Recognized for Workplace Diversity Achievements - HOUSTON - Adam C. Walmus, M.H.A., M.A., F.A.C.H.E., director of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, was recognized for his achievements in workplace diversity by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during a ceremony held today in Washington, D.C. (07/23/2010)

Upper Spine Injuries Might Be Detectable Through CT Scans - HOUSTON - In a study of the original CT scans and records of patients who survived severe car accidents and were transferred alive to a Level 1 Trauma Center but subsequently died within 21 days of arrival, researchers found that 30 percent had injuries to the upper spine and surrounding area which might have been detectable by CT scans before they died. The report, funded by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, appears in The Spine Journal. (07/23/2010)

VA Experts Offer Considerations For Long-Term Care Of HIV Survivors - HOUSTON - As more effective treatments extend the lives of people with HIV, physicians need to research how best to provide care for these "HIV survivors" as they age and acquire other chronic ailments, said experts at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in a commentary that appears today in The Journal of the American Medical Association. (07/19/2010)

HIV Testing Should Be Routine In Cancer Care - HOUSTON - In 2006, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://cdc.gov) recommended routine HIV testing in all healthcare settings as long as patients are given the opportunity to "opt-out" or refuse the test. (07/19/2010)

Local Veterans Compete in National Wheelchair Games - HOUSTON - Three local, wheelchair athletes brought home coveted gold, silver, and bronze medals from the 30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Denver, Colorado in July. These athletes all receive their health care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (07/13/2010)

VA Surgeon Completes One Thousandth Liver Transplant - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, already renowned for having consistently low observed-to-expected mortality rates in general surgery, all surgery, and all non-cardiac surgery nine years straight, has something new to celebrate. John Goss, M.D., DeBakey VA' Liver Transplant Program medical director, has performed his 1,000th liver transplant since joining the VA staff. (07/09/2010)

VA Infectious Disease Specialist on Top Magazine's Expert List - HOUSTON - Rabih O. Darouiche, M.D., a staff physician at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, is one of 21 persons selected for the annual, national list of "2010 Who's Who in Infection Prevention" by Infection Control Today magazine. (07/07/2010)

VA Psychiatrist Named One of America's Top Doctors For 5th Time - HOUSTON - Thomas R. Kosten, M.D., senior advisor on Substance Abuse based in the Mental Health Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, was recently named one of America's Top Doctors for the fifth time by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. (07/01/2010)

VA Research Offers Insight on Parkinson's Disease - HOUSTON - Veterans and others with Parkinson's disease who undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) may benefit from research co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and published recently in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. (06/25/2010)

Houston First to Install Computerized, Real-Time OR Control System - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) recently installed a computerized, operating room control system, called OR.Control, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of day-of-surgery operations by directly coordinating and supporting surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, patients, family members, and related support personnel and activities - all in real-time. (06/03/2010)

Docs Battle for Medal of Honor Recipient to Keep His Leg - HOUSTON - Army Veteran David McNerney knows about fighting. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courage when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Polei Doc. His story and that of his unit is told in the recently produced documentary, "Honor in the Valley of Tears." However, in the last few weeks, McNerney has been fighting a different kind of battle; a struggle to keep his leg. (06/03/2010)

Advanced Technology Enhances Cancer-Fighting Treatment for Veterans - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently enhanced its radiation therapy program by introducing the Philips Wide Bore Computed Tomography (CT) Simulator. The latest investment in cancer-fighting equipment, this machine provides the most advanced imaging technology available today to assist in proper positioning and planning of radiation therapy treatments. (05/26/2010)

VA Study Identifies Consequences of Aggression in Dementia Patients - HOUSTON - In a study published March 2010 in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Mark Kunik, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and his colleagues reported results of research underscoring the importance of effectively treating aggression in individuals with dementia. (05/17/2010)

Houston VA Docs Recognized by Baylor College of Medicine for Excellence in Education - HOUSTON - Last week, Baylor College of Medicine selected its outstanding educators for 2010. These faculty members included eight physicians from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (05/13/2010)

Pivotal VA Study Finds Intra-Abdominal Fat Predicts Survival in Pancreatic Cancer - HOUSTON - A new study shows intra-abdominal fat can predict a pancreatic cancer patient's chances of survival. Researchers at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) found the more visceral fat, or the fat located inside the belly, the worse a patient's chances for survival. (05/03/2010)

VA Study Finds Waist Circumference Predicts Complications in Rectal Cancer Surgery - According to researchers at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), a patient's waist circumference can serve as a predictor as to whether the patient will experience complications in recovering from rectal cancer surgery. (04/30/2010)

Pearland Man Fights Back and Is Named Houston VA Volunteer of the Year - HOUSTON - Volunteering at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is a big reason why Antonio Fonseca, Jr. is alive today. He is a fighter, coming back strong every time life threw him a knock-out punch. (04/19/2010)

VA Study Identifies Causes of Aggression in Dementia Patients - Valuable Information Will Help Patients, Physicians, and Caregivers Improve Quality of Life (04/14/2010)

Houston VA Docs Step-in and Spare Veteran Unnecessary, Grueling Medical Treatment - HOUSTON - Health care providers from the Oncology, Surgical, and Anesthesiology departments at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) used a multidisciplinary approach to successfully treat a 62-year-old Army Veteran from Fulshear, Tx. suffering from colorectal cancer. (04/07/2010)

Peer Groups Give Veterans Hope - HOUSTON - Veterans talking to Veterans about their emotional and mental problems is good medicine. (04/06/2010)

Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Find Botox a Surprising Answer for Painful Muscle Spasms - HOUSTON - Botox is the brand name for therapeutic botulinum toxin, an ultra purified neurotoxin. Most people know Botox as a cosmetic treatment for facial wrinkles and aging of the skin; however, this special medication is also used by health care providers to treat increased muscle stiffness in adults with upper and lower limb spasticity. (03/22/2010)

More Help Now Available for Homeless Veterans in Beaumont and Galveston - HOUSTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates about 107,000 Veterans (male and female) nationwide are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other Veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing. (03/17/2010)

Patriotism Knows No Gender - HOUSTON - The Women's Health Center at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) opened almost 14 years ago, on April 8, 1996. This "one stop shop" for women includes routine primary care, gynecological services, patient and family education, and preventive medicine. In addition, the MEDVAMC Pharmacy maintains a full line of gender specific medications for women. (02/23/2010)

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Again Earns ENERGY STAR for Superior Energy Efficiency - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) prestigious ENERGY STAR label for 2009, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. Commercial buildings, Hospitals, and industrial plants that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency may qualify for the ENERGY STAR. (02/18/2010)

Houston VA Develops Guide to Help Amputees Nationwide - HOUSTON - The Prosthetics Section at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) has developed the first amputee guide for nationwide use by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It will be available soon on the VA Web site for use by all clinicians. (02/17/2010)

New Richmond VA Outpatient Clinic Opens May 14 - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) will open a new VA outpatient clinic in Richmond on Friday, May 14, 2010. It will be located at 22001 Southwest Freeway, Suite 200, Richmond, Tx. 77469. This is the professional building near OakBend Medical Center, close to U.S. Route 59. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. that day. (02/16/2010)

New Parking Lot Opens at Houston VA; 4 More on Horizon - HOUSTON - A new 160-space parking lot will open on February 16, 2010 at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC). (02/11/2010)

Free Parkinson's Disease Patient & Family Forum: Friday, February 26, 2010, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. - The Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Houston Area Parkinson Society, and the Parkinson Foundation of Harris County will discuss participation in free educational and group programs such as dance, tai chi, speech, music, water therapy, physical exercise, meditation, young onset, caregiver support, and others. A light lunch will be served. (02/10/2010)

VA Mourns Passing of Charlie Wilson - LUFKIN, TX - On behalf of the Veterans, volunteers, and staff of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, it is with profound sadness we mourn the death of former U.S. congressman, determined Veterans' advocate, and the namesake of the VA outpatient clinic in Lufkin, Charles Wilson. (02/10/2010)

9 Years Straight, Houston VA Achieves Consistently Low Surgical Mortality Rates - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) again has been recognized for demonstrating consistently low observed-to-expected mortality rates in general surgery, all surgery, and all non-cardiac surgery. (02/02/2010)

Houston VA Docs Refuse to Give Up on Veteran with High-Risk, Difficult Cardiac Case - HOUSTON - Health care providers from the Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesiology departments at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) used a multidisciplinary approach to successfully treat a 61-year-old Army Veteran from Florida suffering multiple symptoms of heart failure. (01/21/2010)

High-tech Prosthetics Improve Veterans' Quality of Life - HOUSTON - If you think the term "prosthetics" refers to artificial limbs, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, you are right. But at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), prosthetics also includes ramps, stair glides, home oxygen services, home modifications (such as widening doorways), vehicle modifications (to facilitate getting into a vehicle), adaptations to sports equipment, and implants such as hips, stents, and pacemakers. (01/14/2010)

Building Partnerships between Recent and Past Stroke Survivors to Boost Recovery - HOUSTON - A stroke diagnosis can be a devastating experience. It is very common for stroke survivors to be fearful of the future, feel unclear about expectations for recovery, and suffer anxiety, frustration, and depression. Now at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), Veterans who have suffered a stroke have the opportunity to talk to other Veterans who have lived through the same experience and gain support in managing their daily life. (01/12/2010)

DeBakey VA Offers New Versatile Technology for Cancer Patients - HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is home to a new Varian Trilogy linear accelerator, considered one of the most versatile cancer treatment devices available in the field of radiation therapy. (01/11/2010)

Home Front Lines (Creation of New Veterans Court) - As I write this, stories about Major Malik Nadal Hasan's rampage at Fort Hood have begun to vanish from the front pages of newspapers and the TV news, displaced by health care, the holidays, and Tiger Woods. It has not even been a month, but already the worst mass shooting at an Army base in U.S. history is old news. This won't come as a surprise to anyone who's fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. (01/06/2010)

Pivotal study could establish new standard of care for preventing surgical-site infections - HOUSTON - Patients, whose surgeons use chlorhexidine-alcohol rather than povidone-iodine to cleanse their skin before surgery, are approximately 40 percent less likely to experience surgical-site infections. (01/06/2010)

The Houston VA Parking Hassle - What is Being Done - HOUSTON - Parking at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is a serious problem. Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and employees know this all too well. Dramatic growth in the Texas Medical Center and the increased number of Veterans seeking VA health care have aggravated the problem; however, hospital administration is taking action to improve the situation. (01/05/2010)

Health Call Center at Houston VA Receives URAC Accreditation - HOUSTON - The Health Call Center, known as the VA Network Telecare Center, at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was awarded full accreditation on December 15, 2009 from URAC, a health care-accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. (01/04/2010)

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