Northport VA Medical Center

We at Northport continued to administer the Moderna COVID 19 Vaccine at Northport VAMC on 22 January, 2021. We’re working to get COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans as quickly and safely as possible based on CDC guidelines and available supply. We need your help to prepare. And we want to keep you informed at every step. Sign up for an easy way to stay informed about our COVID-19 plans. When you sign up, we'll also ask about your interest in getting a vaccine when one is available to you. By sharing your interest, you can help us better prepare as we work to offer vaccines to more Veterans. Veterans of any age can visit COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.va.gov/health-ca/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed for more information and to leave contact information.

Veterans: We're working hard to make sure you get your prescriptions on time, and when you need them. Use these steps to request refills of your VA prescriptions to receive them before you're scheduled to run out: https://myhealth.va.gov/ss20200401-medication-refills-coron

VA has contracted with Fitbit to initially provide 10,000 eligible Veterans, caregivers and VA staff a 1-year free membership to Fitbit Premium. This includes access to guided programs, hundreds of workouts, mindfulness content, a wellness report and a health metrics dashboard. Participants will also have access to Fitbit Health Coaching, one-on-one coaching and guidance from a certified health coach or licensed health professional. VA encourages Veterans, caregivers and VA staff using Fitbit wearables to express their interest in participating in this opportunity by January 25, 2021. Interested Veterans, caregivers and VA staff who currently use Fitbit devices are encouraged to express their interest in participating at https://healthsolutions.fitbit.com/veterans.

During times of stress, it is especially important to set time aside for self-care. Join us for 30 Days of Self Care with the COVID Coach mobile app. You can also download the entire guide and get started at any time. Learn more at https://bit.ly/34z3DFb.

We would like say thank you our friends at the Long Island Corvette Owners Association LICOA for the donations that were received this week. We know that our Veterans and staff are appreciative of all your hard work and efforts that are shown with these gifts accepted on behalf and use for our Veterans.

Team Northport, I want to thank all of you for the tremendous work you are doing every day to care for our Veterans and their families. In this time of tremendous change, I am grateful for all you do, the professionalism and care you show those who rely on us for care. Today, I want to update you on some of the important work underway across our healthcare system as we work together to ensure the health and safety of our associates and the communities we serve as COVID-19 co...Continue reading

I would like to say thank you to everyone who was involved keeping Northport open during our recent snowstorm that impacted the entire New York area. Although there were a lot of uncertainties in the path and the impact that resulted from the storm itself were uncertain. It was your dedicated efforts that make us the best team in New York. Our great team of employees came together and their actions ensured there was not any impact on the operations of the Medical Center and o...ur Clinics. The Incident Command implemented a variety of contingency plans that were executed flawlessly. We will continue ensuring that we will be able to continue providing the highest quality care to our patients, but without a great team to implement these plans we would not be able to do so without you. Keep up the great work! Companies dream of hiring employees like you, and we are grateful to have you on our team. Again we all thank you for all your hard work. Sincerely, Antonio Sanchez, MD, MHSA, FAPA, FACHE Executive Director Northport VA Medical Center

Northport VA Medical Center employees aim to provide outstanding patient care to Long Island's veteran community day in and day out. On very rare occasions, however, the tables can turn and a veteran will rise to the occasion and spring to action to provide care for a comrade. Susan Van Eden, a registered nurse with Northport VAMC's physical medicine and rehabilitation section, found herself on the other side of caregiving when she found herself choking on an apple and in nee...d of assistance. I was eating a slice of an apple and all of a sudden I started choking, and then she came out of nowhere and helped me with the Heimlich maneuver, said Van Eden. Kimilyn Humphrey, advanced medical support assistant with Northport VAMC's physical medicine and rehabilitation section, saw the signs of trouble and didn't hesitate to spring into action. My back was to her, and I heard choking but I didn't think it was a big deal until I turned around and saw her color drastically change. I sprung into action with no hesitation, no second thoughts. It is what we should all do, said Humphrey. The teachable moment here is that everyone should be trained in this and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, I learned it in the Navy over 40 years ago. The health of one is the health of all! Humphrey's quick thinking in tandem with the lifesaving training she received as a service member saved Van Eden from a potentially dangerous choking incident. I told her she was my hero, said Van Eden. I think everyone should be trained, it is a good thing to know. For more information about training and life-saving techniques, please call Northport VAMC's learning systems department at 631-261-4400 ext. 7771.

To our Northport Friends and Family, This holiday season, families across America will gather with friends and neighbors to rekindle relationships, honor holiday traditions, and renew the hope and spirit that is part of this special time of year. During these gatherings, I ask everyone to be careful and remember that we are still in a Pandemic time where large gathering could be a high-risk activity. Although 2020 has been challenging, be thankful for a wonderful year of ach...ievement, tireless execution of providing the best care available to our veterans and the many contributions that are too numerous to mention, and hopes for continued success, health, and happiness in the coming New Year. While the holiday season is a happy time, it can also be a stressful time for many and in our Families. I ask everyone to be especially mindful of those going through difficult times, and/or separated from loved ones -- especially our deployed Service Members and their Families. Please keep SAFETY foremost in mind as you celebrate the holiday season and the arrival of the New Year 2021! I would ask that everyone please adhere to the CDC guidelines to remain safe during this pandemic to ensure everyone has a happy holiday season. I would like to personally wish each of you a joyous holiday season, ask everyone to be safe, and ready for another exciting year in 2021. Sincerely, Antonio Sanchez, MD, MHSA, FAPA, FACHE Executive Director Northport VA Medical Center

Veterans Affairs’ Caregiver Support Program offers a menu of services to family members and friends who care for veterans, including online courses, face-to-face classes, telephone support, and peer support. These services are offered in addition to the support provided to families and caregivers across VA by clinicians as part of a Veteran’s care. The caregiver program supports the caregivers of veterans that are injured and have a service connection of 70% or more, we prov...Continue reading

Harry F. Miller enlisted in the U.S.Army at the age of 15 and soon found himself part of the 740th tank battalion attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. Decemb...er 16, 1944 began the Battle of the Bulge and Harry’s unit quickly joined the fight in the Ardennes region against the Axis powers. Watch the five-part series highlighting his experiences here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/15408433177/301136624087725 #BattleOfTheBulge #HonoringVets #WWII