The VA Caribbean Healthcare System provides services to a population of 150,000 Veterans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. In FY 2008, the VA Caribbean Healthcare System registered 66,955 unique patients with 11,428 inpatient treated and provided 927,072 outpatient visits at all clinic areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
In addition to our main facility in San Juan, we offer services in two *multispecialty clinics and four community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). These clinics are located in:
Arecibo
Mayagüez
Guayama
Ponce*
St. Thomas
Utuado
St.John
Comerio
Vieques
27/10/2025
VA Clinic Mayagüez
Clinical Services - Telemedicine
Our sleep apnea education clinic provides access to Veterans west of Puerto Rico through telemedicine. Respiratory technicians from San Juan VA guide Veterans in the use of home testing equipment, while a telehealth coordinator assists the provider from the patient's side. Additionally, our pulmonary function lab clinic offers remote testing, facilitating collaboration between patients and respiratory specialists in San Juan to assess lung function.
Astrid Rivera Jimenez
Registered Nurse Telemedicine
24/10/2025
Cómo puedes manejar el estrés?
Las investigaciones demuestran grandes beneficios de la práctica de la atención plena (o mindfulness en inglés) para la salud mental y física.
VA CALM es una clase de reducción del estrés basado en la atención plena de 6 sesiones, donde puedes aprender y practicar la meditación de mindfulness y compasión.
Comunícate con un profesional de Integración de Salud Mental en Cuidado Primaria (PCMHI) o con cualquier proveedor de cuidado primario para aprender cómo unirte a las clases.
Puedes comenzar a aprender sobre Mindfulness con la aplicación Mindfulness Coach.
Yarí Colón Torres, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist Primary Care
Mental Health Integration
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator
21/10/2025
🚨ATTN VETERANS: Due to a nationwide issue with Lumen Technologies, we are currently experiencing some technical difficulties with the phone lines across our healthcare system.
The carrier is working diligently to reach resolution, but you may experience some intermittent connectivity issues during this time.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Updates will be provided as they become available.
21/10/2025
How can you manage stress?
If you are having difficulty coping with the demands in your life, you are experiencing stress. Everyone has stress. While some challenge are healthy, too much stress creates problems.
Your VA health care team can also help you manage stress.
They can provide information or classes and stress-management tools.
Eduardo M. Martinez Morales, Ph.D.
Health Behavior Coordinator | Staff Psychologist
20/10/2025
VA Clinic Mayagüez
Clinical Services - Chiropractic
Access to chiropractic care is through consultation from the patient’s Primary Care Provider. If no clinical contraindications are identified, the Doctor of Chiropractic (DCs) will conduct a patient exam and treatment recommendations corresponding to the appropriate diagnoses of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. The Chiropractic care uses conservative, non-pharmacologic methods aimed to help Veterans achieve improvement in pain and functioning.
Dr. Frankie Velez
Doctor of Chiropractic
14/10/2025
Cómo puedes manejar el estrés?
Los coaches de salud y bienestar son una contribución importante a la integración de VICTOR. Colaboran estrechamente con los equipos clínicos para ayudar a los veteranos hacer los cambios de comportamiento recomendados.
Sabemos que el estrés puede interferir con la capacidad de funcionar normalmente.
En Whole Health tenemos para usted actividades mensuales y asesoramiento personalizado que pueden ayudar a reducir y agregar estrategias a su caja de herramientas para manejar el estrés.
Natalia Rivera-Lausell MS, RDN
Whole Health Coach Supervisor
14/10/2025
October is Blindness Awareness Month
This October, we dedicate the month to honoring the strength, resilience, and spirit of our veterans living with vision loss. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the BRS staff, BRC Nursing staff, and all the dedicated professionals who collaborate daily in the rehabilitation process of this community. Their unwavering commitment to providing tools, resources, and guidance helps our veterans achieve their goals each and every day.
This month also presents an opportunity to educate the community, break down barriers, and promote inclusion. Raising awareness about blindness means not only understanding visual limitations but also appreciating the value, abilities, and potential of every blind or visually impaired individual.
Join us on October 17 to celebrate Blind Americans Equality Day, originally known as White Cane Safety Day, at the Euripides Rubio Ponce Outpatient Clinic from 9:00 am onwards.
Together, we honor, we learn, and we celebrate.
13/10/2025
VA Clinic Mayagüez
Close to Me - Oncology Clinic
The new Hematology-Oncology infusion clinic was just recently opened to bring safe oncology care closer to home for our Veterans. Our two chemotherapy-certified, registered nurses provide prescribed therapies in a healing and calm environment. This initiative was created by the National Oncology Program to reduce travel time for Veterans and increase access to high quality cancer care. It has already saved Veterans hundreds of miles in drive time.
10/10/2025
Tu voz. Tu cuidado. Tu opinión importa.
¿Recibiste recientemente la encuesta SHEP (Encuesta sobre la Experiencia del Paciente) por correo? ¡Te animamos a completarla!
Tu opinión nos ayuda a mejorar la atención en Cuidado Primario—ya sea para facilitar tus citas, mejorar la comunicación con tu equipo médico o apoyarte mejor en el manejo de tu salud.
Cada respuesta nos ayuda a brindar atención de la más alta calidad a Veteranos como tú.
Gracias por tu voz y tu servicio.
Dr. Omayra Cruz - Rodriguez
Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care Services
08/10/2025
🌟Join Our Heroes in Healthcare!🌟
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans? The VA Caribbean Healthcare System is excited to announce that we are hiring Nursing Assistants! This is your opportunity to be part of the best healthcare system in the Caribbean, where you can pursue a fulfilling career and make a meaningful impact in the lives of our nation's heroes.
🔔 Why Apply Now?
Your application will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2025. Eligible applications received will be referred as needed until positions are filled, which will be in all specialties.
✨What’s In It for You?
By joining our team, you will work alongside dedicated professionals in various specialties, providing critical support and compassionate care to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. If you’re seeking a rewarding career that combines skill, empathy, and service, this is your opportunity!
1. Create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
2. Follow the prompts to select your resume and supporting documents.
3. Click “Submit My Answers” to finalize your application package.
📢 Spread the Word!
Let others know about this incredible opportunity by sharing this announcement! Together, we can build a stronger community of care for our Veterans.
Don’t wait—apply today and embark on a career that’s as rewarding as it is essential! 💙
08/10/2025
Your Voice.Your Care. Your Feedback Matters.
Did you recently receive a SHEP (Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients) in the mail? If so, we encourage you to complete it!
Your feedback helps us improve your Primary Care experience—whether it’s easier appointment access, better communication with your care team, or more support managing your health.
Every response helps us provide the highest quality care to Veterans like you.
Thank you for your voice and your service.
Dr. Omayra Cruz - Rodriguez
Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care Services
Sé el primero en enterarse y déjanos enviarle un correo electrónico cuando VA Caribbean Healthcare System publique noticias y promociones. Su dirección de correo electrónico no se utilizará para ningún otro fin, y puede darse de baja en cualquier momento.
Our New Mission, Vision, High Reliability Organizational Pillars and Goals | 2019 – 2024
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System’s Strategic Plan is a transformational process and roadmap to guide our efforts towards becoming a High-Reliability Organization (HRO) and incorporating HRO tenants into our culture and service delivery: Leadership Commitment, Safety Culture and Continuous Process Improvement. Our strategic plan will guide us in creating lasting change in how we ultimately serve our Veterans, their families, caregivers, survivors, and our communities. Our driving forces are the Four Statutory Missions of the VA: Healthcare, Education, Research, and Emergency Management.
In addition, we will embrace and incorporate VA Secretary Wilke’s four priorities into our strategic planning process: Customer Service, MISSION Act, the New Electronic Health Record (EHR), and VA Business Systems Transformation. An integral component to our success, past-present-future will be our employee’s engagement. To quote VA Secretary Wilke, “Transformation will be evidenced by an empowered VA workforce ably serving Veterans in the field with world-class customer service and improved Veteran outcomes.” In the coming days, we will also be highlighting the great work of our employees, how leadership is responding to the 2019 All Employee Survey (AES), and how we as a health system translate feedback of our employees into actions and results.
I am looking forward to the future of our VA Caribbean Healthcare System, with the ultimate goals to be the healthcare destination of choice for our Veterans, provide world class customer service and to be the “Best Place to Work” for our employees.
