VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

11/19/2025

VA has reduced backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by 57%

"Veterans deserve fast and accurate claims decisions, and we look forward to continuing to deliver amazing results to those who have worn the uniform.” VA Secretary Doug Collins

Great news: The backlog of Veterans waiting for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits is down 57% since the start of the second Trump Administration! https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-reduces-backlog-of-veterans-waiting-for-va-benefits-by-57/

11/19/2025

Phone lines to our Clinical Contact Center are currently down. We appreciate your patience while our teams troubleshoot the issue. Please use MyHealtheVet or the VA Health and Benefits app for additional ways to communicate with your care teams.

11/18/2025

Don't forget to add 'Get a flu shot,' to your list of things to do in preparation for the holidays. Seeing family and friends is important during the holiday season, but so is making sure you and your family are safe.

Veterans, visit us at your local VA healthcare facility and get your flu shot today to ensure you get more joy during this holiday season!

11/18/2025

Need help with using My HealtheVet, Video Connect, and other VA virtual applications and online resources?

Join us at Biloxi VA Medica Center on Thursday from 9 am - noon in our main hospital. Our Virtual Care team will be available to assist you with all of virtual connected care needs!

Our Virtual Care team will be in Mobile in December and in Pensacola in January. Please see flyer below for more information!

11/13/2025

Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Ask your primary care team how you can partner with a clinical pharmacy practitioner on your journey to take charge of your health.

For years, U.S. Army Veteran Dariton Robinson had a big problem: high cholesterol.

11/11/2025

The Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military Veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service.

Learn more: https://www.loc.gov/programs/veterans-history-project/how-to-participate/

Learn how you can participate in the Veterans History Project with this short video.

11/11/2025

The story of America is written by moments of strength and sacrifice. Today and every day, VA celebrates your service and invites you to Choose VA for the benefits and services you’ve earned.

https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/

11/08/2025

November is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

One of the most common cancers among men, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer, following lung cancer. One in 44 men will die from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer screening can help detect cancer early, when it's more treatable. Veteran men aged 50 and older, and those at higher risk, including African American men and men with family history of prostate cancer, should discuss screening options with their VA primary care provider.

11/07/2025

When you have a health care concern or question, you want to speak with someone immediately. If you’re sick, you might not want to get out of bed or drive to a clinic. The VA Health Chat app makes it easy to get help wherever you are from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

With VA Health Chat, Veterans enrolled in VA health care can quickly connect with a VA staff member. Caring VA staff can provide medical advice for non-life-threatening health concerns, schedule VA appointments, refill VA prescriptions, and more.

11/06/2025

Staying up to date with immunizations helps protect you from severe respiratory illness. Flu, COVID-19 and other VA approved vaccines are available free of charge to Veterans enrolled in VA Healthcare Services at all of our clinic locations.

Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines each year. Reduce your risk for illness so you can enjoy the upcoming holidays! Come see us to receive your seasonal vaccines!

See chart for where you can receive an updated 2025-2026 COVID vaccine.

11/04/2025

Veterans, join us at the Biloxi VAMC or at our Pensacola VA clinic for a Veterans Day Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, November 5.

At Biloxi VAMC, join us from 9 am until noon in the primary and specialty care clinic area on the first floor of our main hospital. At our Pensacola VA clinic, join us from 10 am until noon in our main lobby.

Both locations will showcase information/resource tables provided by our local community partners, Veteran Service Organizations, and VA staff. We will also have give aways and goodies for our Veterans and their guests to thank them for their service to our country.

Come out and celebrate an early Veterans Day with your Veterans healthcare team on Nov. 5th!

11/03/2025

Our Blind Rehab team hosted a Fall Festival for our inpatient residents. Check out some photos from this fun event!

Starting in the top left corner and going to the right through each row:

Row 1: Assist Chief and Chief of Blind Rehab, a Veteran playing “Guess the Item," and our very own “Pumpkin Patch” Pirate

Row 2: Hallway Bowling, residents playing Family Feud, and a Cake Walk (with one Veteran participating via human guide)

Row 3: Lunch of baked potatoes and chili with a variety of deserts prepared by the Veterans in their cooking classes with their instructors, a Veteran resident with her spouse (who is here for our Family Training program), and finally a staff member shows off a bullseye achieved by one of our Veterans during the axe throwing event.