Press Releases
2013
Nurses Week 2013 OpEd - This week, May 6-12, the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) honors the dedicated men and women we consider to be the compassionate backbone of the Veterans’ health care system – nurses. (05/07/2013)
VA BHHCS Celebrates Volunteers - April 21 through 27 was National Volunteer Week and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) used the opportunity to thank more than 300 volunteers who gave back to Veterans every day at VA medical facilities within the system. (05/02/2013)
VA BHHCS Sadened by Veteran Death - With great regret we inform you that a Veteran served by VA Black Hills Health Care System was found dead in the community of Hot Springs Wednesday evening. No further details are available at this time. The Hot Springs City Police Department is investigating this unfortunate event and further questions should be directed to them. (03/14/2013)
Learn More About Telehealth Services - Have you ever wanted to learn about emerging technology that keeps you in contact with your Doctor’s office without actually being there? Visit VA Black Hills Health Care System’s (BHHCS) Fort Meade VA Medical Center, Hot Springs VA Medical Center and Rapid City Community Based Outpatient Clinic in March and interact with our telehealth mobile cart displays. (03/08/2013)
Women Veteran's Retreat - VA Black Hills Health Care System will host a free, semi-annual Women Veterans’ Retreat through the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Outpatient Treatment Program. The retreat will be held April 19-21, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, two miles east of Sturgis. (02/15/2013)
Salute to Veterans - We are all aware that there are heroes among us – the ordinary people who do extraordinary things in service to others in times of danger and desperation. At VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) we are privileged to care for many of our community’s heroes and want the rest of our citizens to join us in honoring them during the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans event from February 10-16. (02/08/2013)
New Suicide Prevention Coordinator - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanne Barreno as the new Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC). (02/07/2013)
VA BHHCS Invites Community to ‘Salute Hospitalized Veterans’ - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) invites the public to participate in open-house activities February 10-16, during the observance of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. (01/31/2013)
Veterans Resource Fair - Veterans and their families are invited to the Hot Springs VA Medical Center to meet with businesses and organizations that provide services Veterans can take advantage of (01/28/2013)
Ann Dittus Fort Meade Employee of the Month - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System recognized Ann Dittus as January’s Employee of the Month at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center. (01/25/2013)
Gephart Employee of the Month at Hot Springs VA Medical Center - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) recognized Jeff Gephart as January’s Employee of the Month at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. (01/25/2013)
BVL Donates $4,200 to VA BHHCS Recreation Therapy - The South Dakota Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) recently donated $4,200 for recreation therapy activities to VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) - $2,100 to the Fort Meade VA Medical Center and another $2,100 to the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. (01/18/2013)
VA invites community to Four Chaplains memorial service - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) invites the public to participate in the observance of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans and the Four Chaplains memorial service at 1:30 p.m. on February 10, at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Sturgis. (01/11/2013)
VA Black Hills Seeking Entries for National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - The VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is hosting its annual Veterans Creative Arts show March 13 at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center to judge entries for the 2013 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival to be held in Reno, Nevada in October 2013. (01/02/2013)
New Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cathy King as the new Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator (VJO). (01/02/2013)
2012
Donated Tree - Ridley Livestock and Bruch Ranch donated a patriotic themed Christmas tree, purchased at the Sturgis Festival of Trees, to the Fort Meade VA Medical Center. The tree was decorated by the Sturgis Area Arts Council. (12/03/2012)
Vosika named a patriotic employer - The South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) employee Lori Vosika, OEF/OIF/OND Program Manager, as a patriotic employer for her outstanding support of her employee’s military participation. (11/26/2012)
Veterans Get Job Opportunity - Six Veterans in the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) got a new lease on life last month when they entered into the Homeless Veterans Apprenticeship Program and became the newest full-time employees at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. (11/19/2012)
Miller Recognized as the Employee of the Month at Fort Meade VA Medical Center - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System recognized Tina Miller as November’s Employee of the Month at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center. (11/08/2012)
Darrow Recognized as the Employee of the Month at Hot Springs VA Medical Center - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) recognized Gary Darrow as November’s Employee of the Month at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. (11/08/2012)
Volunteers honored for hours of service - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) Volunteers were honored for their many hours of service during an annual Volunteer Recognition Holiday Party. (11/07/2012)
VA BHHCS Fire Department Gets New Truck - Firefighters from VA Black Hills Health Care System’s (BHHCS) Fort Meade VA Medical Center are now better equipped for the job with a new fire truck. (11/05/2012)
Caregiver Information Fair - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is planning two free informational fairs for family caregivers of Veterans, for National Family Caregiver Month. (10/31/2012)
Women Veterans Open House in Rapid City - The VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) invites Women Veterans to gather to meet other Women Veterans and learn more about health care services and educational opportunities available to them. (10/29/2012)
Veterans Justice Outreach - Some Veterans return from service and easily adjust back into civilian life. Some don’t. There are Veterans within VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) who return with physical injuries, traumatic brain injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans such as these sometimes find themselves involved in the court system after their service. (10/24/2012)
Hoptel open - Volunteers who donated to the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) “Hoptel” – a free, temporary, overnight housing unit for Veterans undergoing treatment at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center – had a chance to tour the housing unit. (10/22/2012)
Expanded dialysis unit opens - Patients in western South Dakota in need of dialysis treatment now have access to improved quality of care, thanks to the seven-station, upgraded dialysis unit at the VA Black Hills Health Care System Hot Springs Medical Center. (10/17/2012)
VA BHHCS Welcomes New Associate Director - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Belle “C.B.” Alexander, FACHE, to the position of Associate Director. (10/15/2012)
Soldier Days - A large portion of a returning Army National Guard Unit, the 200th Engineering Unit headquartered in Pierre, S.D., contained Veterans that would be eligible for care at VA BHHCS, but lived in central South Dakota. These returning soldiers would be living up to four hours away from the Fort Meade VA Medical Center. Vosika knew they would be busy integrating back into civilian life and may not have time to make several trips across the state for medical care. (09/19/2012)
New Emergency Management Director - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Egermier as the new Emergency Management Director. (09/17/2012)
New Human Resources Officer - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Collins as the new Human Resources Officer. Michael will be responsible for the full scope of human resource services for VA BHHCS. (09/17/2012)
VA Mental Health Programs Received Full Accreditation - VA Black Hills Health Care System’s (BHHCS) Mental Health Service was awarded full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its residential and outpatient programs related to homeless services, employment services, addictions treatment and PTSD programming. The accreditation is for a three-year period, May 2012-2015. (09/17/2012)
DAV Donates Four New Vans for Veteran Transportation - After more than 600,000 miles of driving Veterans to and from their appointments at VA Black Hills Health Care Center (BHHCS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has retired four vans and commissioned new ones. (09/12/2012)
New Chief Financial Officer - VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Ferris as our new Chief Financial Officer. (09/12/2012)
Good Neighbor Day - Volunteers at VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) handed out roses to Veteran patients today, in support of Good Neighbor Day. (09/05/2012)
Medical Foster Home Project Certified at VA BHHCS - When living at home becomes difficult, most people would rather remain in a home-like setting than move to an assisted living center. In moments like this, the VA Medical Foster Home (MFH) program can help. (09/05/2012)
Stand Down in Sturgis - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System is hosting their first Women Veterans Stand Down on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Sturgis Armory at the Corner of Junction Avenue and Main Street in Sturgis, S.D. (08/28/2012)
Long Road Home Project Bikers Visit - Veterans from VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) had the opportunity to visit with five inspiring military heroes on Thursday, August 16, when bicyclists from the Long Ride Home Project made a pit stop at the Fort Meade Campus. (08/17/2012)
Stand Down in Mission - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System will be hosting a Homeless Veteran Stand Down at the Mission St. Thomas Hall on August 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (08/16/2012)
Stand Downs McLaughlin and Eagle Butte - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System will be hosting Homeless Veteran Stand Downs at the McLaughlin Civic Center on August 29, and at the Eagle Butte HVJ Cultural Center on August 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m (08/16/2012)
Local Veteran Competes in the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games - Wheelchair Athlete David M. Schlinkert from Rapid City, SD, is competing in the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Richmond, Va. June 25 – 30. (06/29/2012)
Celebration of Life Memorial Service - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System observed their 10th Annual “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center on Thursday, May 24, 2012. (06/14/2012)
Mental Health Guest Editorial - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki often reminds us: as the tide of war recedes we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning Veterans. As these newest Veterans return home, we must ensure that they have access to quality mental health care in order to successfully make this transition to civilian life. (06/14/2012)
Plan to Expand Mental Health Staff - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki recently announced the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce. VA estimates that five clinicians and two support personnel will be hired to support mental health operations at VA Black Hills Health Care System. Funding has now been distributed to VA Black Hills and recruitment is underway. (06/12/2012)
VA Releases Financial Analysis on Future Proposals - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 and VA Black Hills Health Care System released the financial analysis on the proposed reconfiguration of health care services in western South Dakota and parts of Nebraska and Wyoming. (06/12/2012)
Historic Landmark Plaque Presented - Vidal Davila, Superintendent, Wind Cave National Park, presented the plaque on behalf of the National Park Service. Judy Johnson-Mekota, Deputy Director of the VA Midwest Health Care Network and Bill Baker, Acting Associate Director/Chief, Facilities Management of the VA Black Hills Health Care System accepted the award. (06/01/2012)
VA Black Hills to Host Consultation Meeting - Battle Mountain Sanitarium, which is now home to our VA Hot Springs Campus, was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 17, 2011. As caretakers of the National Historic Landmark we are initiating consultation meetings with interested parties as described under Sections 106 and 110(f) of the National Historic Preservation Act. (05/19/2012)
National Park Service to Present Historic Landmark Plaque to VA Black Hills - The Hot Springs campus of the VA Black Hills Health Care System was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in June, 2011. A formal presentation of the Historic Landmark designation plaque will be conducted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 3:00 pm at the VA Hot Springs Band Shell, located outside of Building 1 (Domiciliary). Immediately following the presentation there will be guided tours of the Domiciliary. (05/16/2012)
National Park Service to Present Historic Landmark Plaque - The Hot Springs campus of the VA Black Hills Health Care System was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in June, 2011. A formal presentation of the Historic Landmark designation plaque will be conducted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 3:00 pm at the VA Hot Springs Band Shell, located outside of Building 1 (Domiciliary). Immediately following the presentation there will be guided tours of the Domiciliary. (05/16/2012)
Outstanding Achievement in Service to Homeless Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) “2011 Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service to Homeless Veterans” has been awarded to the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Taskforce to Eliminate Veteran Homelessness. The VA Black Hills Health Care System is a recipient of the award as part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). (05/15/2012)
Women Veteran Task Force Draft Plan Released - The Department of Veterans Affairs is releasing for public comment a draft of its strategic report to address key issues facing women Veterans. The plan outlines steps for improvements to care and services for women Veterans that are sustainable, accountable and a part of the department’s culture and operations. (05/15/2012)
Black Hills National Cemetery Memorial Day Program - Black Hills National Cemetery will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 28, 2012. There will be two ceremonies held at Cemetery’s Committal Shelter to memorialize all those who answered the call, and made the ultimate sacrifice, in defense of our great Nation. (05/14/2012)
VA Black Hills HCS Employees Selected for VISN 23 Leadership Program - VA Black Hills HCS Employees William Fahrenbruck, Licensed Mental Health Counselor; Linda Fellows, Telehealth Dietitian; and Carla Neuberger, Associate Chief Nurse have been selected for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Leadership Effectiveness Accountability Development Program (LEAD) Class of 2012-2013. (05/11/2012)
VA Officials Extend Comment Period to June 30, 2012 - Honoring requests by the South Dakota congressional delegation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans, VA has agreed to extend the comment period for the public to give input on the re-configuration plan proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 and VA Black Hills Health Care System to June 30, 2012. (05/10/2012)
Captain Perry Huffman Named Police Supervisor of the Year - Perry Huffman, Police Captain at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center has been selected as Police Supervisor of the Year for 2011- Medium Size Facility, by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Security and Law Enforcement. (05/01/2012)
2012 Women Veterans Symposium and Health Fair - The VA Black Hills Health Care System Women Veterans Advisory Committee invites women Veterans to the 2012 Women Veterans Symposium and Health Fair April 21 (03/29/2012)
Henderson Receives Patriotic Employer Award - John Henderson, Engineering Program Manager at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center, received the Patriotic Employer Award. (03/27/2012)
Secure Messaging - A new tool enhances Veterans access to their VA health care. Veterans who receive primary care services at VA Black Hills Health Care System can now take advantage of a new way to communicate with their health care teams that’s as fast as email, but completely safe and secure! The new communication tool is called "Secure Messaging" and allows Veterans to communicate electronically with their primary care team in VA Black Hills Health Care System. (03/13/2012)
Discussions Continue On Future State - Since December 12, officials of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Black Hills Health Care System (VA BHHCS) have been holding public forums to discuss proposals for the improvement of Veterans’ health care services in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. (02/24/2012)
Tele-ICU goes live - A “second set of eyes” can now monitor patients at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals across the VA Midwest Health Care Network. This week, the VA Black Hills Health Care System will be going “live” with Tele-ICU. (02/13/2012)
VA Black Hills invites community to salute Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System invites the public to participate in a number of activities Feb. 12-18 during the annual National Salute to Veterans week. (02/02/2012)
VA Flu Shot Schedules - Flu shots are available for qualified Veterans throughout VA Black Hills Health Care System clinics (01/30/2012)
VA Black Hills to Host PCT Women’s Retreat - The specialized Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Outpatient Treatment Program (PCT) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System is hosting its semi-annual women’s retreat April 27, 28, 29, 2012. (01/26/2012)
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The link to the Archive page of press releases after Jan 1, 2012 is located above. |
