Portland Vamc-- Women Veteran Health Care Improvements

[fanaticbooks]

I'm not sure this should be posted here but if it goes somewhere better, pls ship it off.

I was at a Veteran Networking meeting last Friday put on by some members of Congress of the state of Oregon. It is a group of professionals who are creating a web of information to help veterans in Oregon.

In that meeting, a lady, Nancy Sloan (program manager), talked about how the VAMC's Women Veteran Health Care is expanding. I understand by the beginning of next year there should be a whole separate section with its own entrance built at the VAMC in Portland. It will be providing the following:

Annual Physical Exams

Family Planning

Birth Control

Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Care

Menopause Management

Health Living Guidance

Nutrition and Weight Management

Osteoporosis Evaluation and Treatment

Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment

Gynecology

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Incontinence

IUD

Tubal Ligations/Surgical Sterilization

Infertility Evaluation

Surgical Interventions

PCOS

Pelvic Pain Management

VA Maternity Benefits

Full Term Coverage including six week ost partum care

Mental Health Care

This section will have not only a women-only waiting room, but waiting rooms with more privacy for those who feel that need.

I believe she also said there would be a place to watch kids, changing tables, restrooms etc.

If someone wishes to contact someone, here are some numbers that are listed in the brochure that was passed out:

Portland Women Veterans Health Team

1-888-233-8305 X57716

Advice Nurse

1-888-233-8305 x 54838

Nancy Sloan, DNP

Women Veterans Program Manager

1-888-233-8305 x 55595

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom JProgram

Victoria Koehler

Program Manager

503-220-8262 #57044

She said to pass this information out to help the women veterans who are not using the system. I guess there are about 25000 women veterans with only about 6000 to 8000 actually using the system.

I figured it wouldn't hurt to mention it here for Portland, OR, not only for this region, but so other regions' residents might check with their hospitals to see if a similar program is being created.

Hope it helps.

fanaticbooks