ptsd Stirring It Up At The Dayton Vamc....again

[purple]

Many of you know by now that I'm not likely to sit by and take "stuff". I fired off an IRIS complaint last evening (again) about the continuing lack of treatment for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) PTSD for women at the Dayton VA. I've been a pt there for well over 10 years now and the lack of treatment continues to astound me. It shouldn't because I'm dealing with the VA....but in a way, it still does when I see what else the Dayton VAMC applies its priorities to.

Today, I received a reply from Connie LaRosa in Washington DC. Her and I often e-mail about what is (or isn't) going on at Dayton as far as treatment for women vets go....here is her lame, political answer this time:

Ms. Xxxxxxx: I understand your concern over the unavailability at this time of a women’s MST PTSD program. My understanding is that there has been a turnover in staff and they are currently trying to recruit someone for the MST/PTSD womens program. It is an inconvenience to our women veterans when this occurs, but unfortunately we can’t always control staff turnover. They are advertising for a replacement but because this is a special program, it often takes time to find the best applicant for the position. Providing high quality care to women veterans is a priority of the Dayton VA. I have put Ms. Maritha Trass, the Women Veterans Program Manager at Dayton on this message. She will be getting in touch with you regarding this issue. I know everything is being done by Dayton to correct this situation. Thank you for contacting us.

Wow...is that a load of BS or what?? I've spoken with Ms. Trass numerous times and she is worthless....she is TDY (for training) more often than she is at work. I call her often and she never returns my calls, so I skip over her.

The "turnover in staff" she is referring to is my former RN-person that I used to see as a tdoc. They have long since replaced her. But they haven't found anyone to take on the job as coordinator for the Women's MST PTSD program (a required position at all VAMCs now). Here is my reply to both:

Connie & Maritha,

The major issue here is that this isn't a new problem! How many times I have brought this to your attention? To Maritha's attention? Too many times. There has never been a formal MST PTSD program at the Dayton VA. They have attempted some informal women's groups using a model that is being used at the Cincinnati VA, but that didn't last long. There is currently a women's group being held, but it is not for MST...it's for any form of PTSD. I expressed that it's not a comfortable environment to share such sensitive information in, but I was told that this was how the group would be. I haven't returned to the group.

It's very clear that the Dayton VAMC is not at all interested in helping women vets with MST PTSD. I've been fighting this battle for far too many years and it's gotten beyond ridiculous.

And, very quickly.....Connie LaRose just replied back:

Ms. Xxxxxxxx: I do believe Dayton is interested in the issues you present but they are also trying to meet the needs of many women veterans. To have a group for PTSD is becoming quite common because many of our women veterans have been exposed to different types of trauma. Although grouping them together is not always ideal, it is often necessary to have enough women to form a group. I believe they do want to work with you and try and meet your individual needs. However, we have to do that with the staff and resources we have available.

I tell you guys....I'm about ready to explode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wings]

The plots thickens.

Now all of a sudden, the Dayton VAMC has hired a women's MST PTSD coordinator and she is "awaiting her credentials" before she begins work.

Wow....am I good or what??? LMAO!! I asked the Women's coordinator at Dayton why would no one bother to tell me this all along? Why the lousy communication? Her response was that she would ask and find out....I responded back to her..."Who are you going to ask...it's you I'm talking about?"...........................................Ouch.

Oh yes, her boss in Washington is addressed on all these e-mails as well. No wonder my records are flagged...

Sooooo, did they "just" hire her, or has she been waiting for her credentials since college lol! Purple, you sure do know how to stir the pot! Good for you. Only thing is, once they hire her, you are gonna have to go and meet her ;-) ~Wings

[purple]

Oh, I will be more than happy to go and meet with her! Providing she really exists! Gee, now what would make me think that the lady at the Dayton VA is lying to me......again. Or, this is a brand-new college grad who has zero experience and truly has no credentials. If that's the case....OMG....I've been known to scare those types away!

I think I'll e-mail and ask what her experience is in treating women.

Wow...one thing about the lady in Washington...she is fast at getting back to me. I asked the question about this new person's experience...well...Connie LaRosa (in Washington) has no clue. Nope. She told me she doesn't even know who has been hired and that we will "just have to wait and see when she starts working how she works out". Wow. Sure glad I have that in writing.

The person in charge of all the women's programs like this for the VA, doesn't know who is being hired at each VA (one per VA) to fill this important position? Don't ya think she would at least get a courtesy copy of a resume??

Wait....that would be far to efficient for the VA.....my bad. I haven't heard back from the women's coordinator at Dayton yet...she may not be at work today due to the snow.

Edited January 28, 2009 by purple

[SFCTRUCKDRIVER]

congrats purple on maybe a breakthrough there, too many of them think PTSD is PTSD and it is no different for men and women, thanks for educating me in the area and I know what you mean about scaring therapists off, yesterday at my weekly, my TDOC sked questions she wasnt ready for, and then started crying because of the answers... PTSD sucks, so I am happy a kewl chick like you might be getting a break....

[purple]

-awww, thanks-

the coordinator at the Dayton VAMC e-mailed me again today and had the nerve to send me the White House official agenda on vets issues (like I don't already know it--LOL!); she said she thought it would make me "feel better" to know that this administration is doing something to help all vets.......

here was my response to her:

"I have seen the agenda from the current administration and to that and any other agenda I see I say the same thing...talk is cheap. When I see actual programs in place and working then I will believe it. Until then, it's just empty promises on paper."

As even prior to that e-mail she sent me her own personal agenda for women vets....which was a 7-item list of BS (most had already been done by other ppl at the VA)...but she is trying to take credit for. Nothing of which are actual working programs other than she got her own job turned from a part-time postion to a full time position....wow, how convenient. And that was #1 on the list....talk about self-serving.

[SFCTRUCKDRIVER]

have you tried contacting the American Legion Auxillery or any women's group to help champion your cause?

I shamefully dont know of any women's groups but maybe the American Legion or DAV will help get the right groups set up to help you and your very perticular type of injury. My therapist is an Army wife, so she is more into helping vets than the normal people and my PDOC volunteers to help PTSD vets in his free time. I got darn lucky on my first try and wish there was a way I could send my Doc's your way :D :D

[Chuck75]

Oddly, the local VA satellite clinic has an opposite problem, in that the only doctor is a female "female" doctor. While the doctor is a "qualified" and state licensed primary care doctor, her knowledge of other specialized areas that pertain to men are sketchy. This can be good or bad, other than the clinic has a history of not informing patients about referrals, and "forgetting" to set the referrals up.