Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

05/15/2026

Join Bay Pines VA Healthcare System this Memorial Day as we come together to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will feature military honors, distinguished speakers, and a special keynote address from Gold Star Father Carlos del Castillo. We invite Veterans, families, employees, volunteers, and community members to join us for this meaningful event as we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

05/14/2026

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is proud to invite Veterans, community members, and stakeholders to the groundbreaking ceremony for the future North Port VA Clinic on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10 a.m.

This new clinic will help expand access to high-quality care for Veterans across Southwest Florida and, once complete, will serve as the replacement for the current Port Charlotte VA Clinic.
Location: 0 N Main St., North Port, FL 34286
Located at the intersection of Main Street and West Price Boulevard, directly in front of the residential community, The Gallery. Parking will be available on site, and attendees may access the property via Main Street.

All are welcome to attend as we mark this important milestone for Veteran health care in the communities we serve.

05/14/2026

As Police Week 2026 comes to a close, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System extends our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s events such a success. From honoring our fallen officers during the Police Memorial Day Games to showcasing the incredible skills of our K-9 teams and bringing employees, Veterans, and community partners together for Coffee and Donuts with a Cop, this week highlighted the dedication, professionalism, and service of law enforcement across our community.

We also want to thank the Tampa VA Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department, Bay Pines Pastoral Services, and all participating VA groups for their partnership and support throughout the week.

Most importantly, thank you to the men and women of the Bay Pines VA Police Service for your unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our Veterans, staff, volunteers, and visitors every day. Your work makes a lasting difference across our healthcare system.

05/11/2026

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is proud to celebrate VA Research Week, May 11–15, 2026! Research continues to advance treatments, improve outcomes, and shape the future of Veteran health care.

Join us for a special Research Week event hosted by the Bay Pines Foundation on Tuesday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the J.C. Cobb Room, building 100, room 1D-127, at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center campus.

Come learn about the innovative research efforts helping improve the lives of Veterans every day.

05/08/2026

May 10 – 16 is National Police Week. Join Bay Pines VA as we honor the dedication, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who serve and protect our Veterans, staff, and visitors every day.
Bay Pines VA Police Week events include:
Monday, May 11 | 10 a.m. – noon
Police Memorial Day Games (Co****le) behind Building 102 featuring Bay Pines VA Police vs. Tampa VA Police, along with a remembrance of fallen officers.
Tuesday, May 12 | 10 a.m. – noon
Police Week Celebration at the Lee County Healthcare Center with participation from local law enforcement and VA groups.
Wednesday, May 13 | 11 a.m. – noon
Police K-9 Appreciation Day on the Fisher House front lawn featuring demonstrations from the MacDill Air Force Base K-9 program.
Thursday, May 14 | 10 a.m. – noon
Coffee and Donuts with a Cop in the courtyard between Buildings 1 and 100, including police demonstrations, equipment displays, and community engagement activities.
Thank you to our VA Police Officers and law enforcement partners for your unwavering commitment to keeping our Veteran community safe.

05/07/2026

Volunteers Needed for the 2026 National Veterans Golden Age Games!

Exciting news — the 2026 National Veterans Golden Age Games are coming to Tampa from June 27 to July 2, 2026, and we’re looking for volunteers to help make this unforgettable event a success!

If you have a passion for sports, recreation, and serving our nation’s Veterans, this is your chance to be part of something truly special. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of Veteran athletes from across the country.

Volunteer registration is now LIVE!

Please register online at:
https://40goldenagegames.my-trs.com/

If you have questions, please contact:
vaconvgagvolunteers@va.gov

Join us in welcoming Veteran athletes to Tampa and help create an incredible experience at the 2026 National Veterans Golden Age Games!

05/06/2026

May 10 – 16 is National Police Week. Join Bay Pines VA as we honor the dedication, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who serve and protect our Veterans, staff, and visitors every day.

Bay Pines VA Police Week events include:

Monday, May 11 | 10 a.m. – noon
Police Memorial Day Games (Co****le) behind Building 102 featuring Bay Pines VA Police vs. Tampa VA Police, along with a remembrance of fallen officers.

Tuesday, May 12 | 10 a.m. – noon
Police Week Celebration at the Lee County Healthcare Center with participation from local law enforcement and VA groups.

Wednesday, May 13 | 11 a.m. – noon
Police K-9 Appreciation Day on the Fisher House front lawn featuring demonstrations from the MacDill Air Force Base K-9 program.

Thursday, May 14 | 10 a.m. – noon
Coffee and Donuts with a Cop in the courtyard between Buildings 1 and 100, including police demonstrations, equipment displays, and community engagement activities.

Thank you to our VA Police Officers and law enforcement partners for your unwavering commitment to keeping our Veteran community safe.

05/06/2026

When Veterans experience drastic changes in mood, sleep, or behavior, that may be an indicator that they need help.

The Veterans Crisis Line is here to serve 24/7, 365.

The signs of crisis don’t always look the way you expect. Knowing them can help you act when it matters most: VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis.

05/05/2026

Traffic Update at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

As part of our ongoing Site Security Project, there are important updates to traffic patterns on the C.W. Bill Young (CWY) campus. Here’s what you need to know before your next visit:

ROC Exit Lane Change:
The Radiation Oncology Center (ROC) exit lane is now a through and right-turn-only lane.

Lane Changes Near Bryson Circle & Bill Young Blvd.:
The far-left lane is no longer for southbound traffic. It is now a through and left-turn lane, allowing access northbound to the Main Gate. The U-turn loop before Bay Pines Blvd. is now OPEN to help improve traffic flow.

Please Remember:
- Watch for new lane markings and signage
- Use extra caution, especially during busy times
- Follow posted directions for safe campus navigation

These updates are designed to improve traffic flow and safety for our Veterans, staff, and visitors.

Thank you for your patience as we continue enhancing our campus!

05/04/2026

Nurses Week is officially underway at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, and we kicked things off with an inspiring Opening Ceremony!

From the Nightingale Candle Walk to the Blessing of the Hands, today’s events were a powerful reminder of the compassion, strength, and dedication our nurses bring to serving Veterans every day.

Throughout the week, we will continue to celebrate the heart of our healthcare system — our nurses— whose care and commitment make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for all that you do. Your work matters. Your compassion is felt. And your dedication inspires us all.

04/30/2026

Dr. Bharti K. Shetye, still remembers the moment the news reached her. It was unexpected — and for a brief second, it took her breath away.

Out of nearly 6,000 obesity medicine specialists in the Obesity Medicine Association, Shetye had been named the 2026 recipient of the Dr. William H. McCarthy Clinician of the Year Award. But ask her what the recognition means, and she’ll quickly shift the focus away from herself, and toward the Veterans she serves every day.

To learn more about this story follow the link below.
https://www.va.gov/bay-pines-health-care/stories/healing-beyond-the-scale-bay-pines-physician-earns-national-honor-for-transforming-veterans-lives/