11/28/2025
VAPIHCS Veterans,
I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday, filled with joy, gratitude, and the company of loved ones. As we transition into the winter season, I want to take this opportunity to share some important updates and reminders to ensure your continued health and well-being
As flu season is upon us, we at VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) want to remind you of the importance of protecting yourself and those around you by getting your flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are now available at all our facilities, and we encourage you to make an appointment to receive yours as soon as possible. It’s a simple step that can help prevent illness and ensure the well-being of our family, friends, and community.
If you have already received your flu vaccine from a community provider, please give us a call at 1-800-214-1306 so we can update your medical record accordingly. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and working together, we can keep everyone healthy this flu season.
Can’t Make Your Slot? Give Another Veteran Your Spot
Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we strive to provide timely and efficient care for all. If you find that you can't make your scheduled appointment, please take a moment to cancel or reschedule, which can give another Veteran the opportunity to use your slot. Timely cancellations help us accommodate other Veterans who need care, ensuring that everyone receives the attention they deserve.
To cancel or reschedule your upcoming appointment, you have two convenient options: call us at 1-800-214-1306 or log on to Myhealth.va.gov. By updating us in advance, you support your fellow Veterans.
Thank you for helping us provide the best possible care for all Veterans.
Giving thanks for Quick Access to Care through VA Health Chat
This month, we’re thankful for VA Health Chat! The VA Health Chat app is one of the quickest ways to easily connect with VA staff online. You can use the app to receive medical advice for minor injuries or illnesses using the Clinical Triage and Virtual Clinic Visit (Urgent Care) channels, schedule VA appointments using the Scheduling and Administration channel, and refill VA prescriptions using the Pharmacy Support channel.
These resources aren’t limited to Veterans who only use the app. If you prefer to speak with VA staff over the phone, there’s VA Health Connect. With VA Health Connect, you can access VA health care 24/7 from anywhere. Veterans can talk with a nurse about symptoms or manage VA appointments and prescriptions. You can also meet virtually with a medical or tele-emergency care provider if needed.
Veteran Experience Survey Spotlight - Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP)
In our ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of care, we pay close attention to feedback from our SHEP survey, particularly questions that concern patient-provider communication.
One such critical question asks, "When you talked about starting or stopping a prescription medicine, did this provider ask you what you thought was best for you?"
This question is of utmost importance because it addresses the core of patient-centered care. At VAPIHCS, we strive to ensure that our providers always take the time to understand and consider your preferences and perspectives. Our aim is to create a collaborative environment that respects and empowers you, reinforcing our commitment to your well-being.
We know this approach not only enhances the Veteran experience but also leads to better health outcomes. Your feedback on this question helps us continually refine our practices to better serve you.
Thank you for choosing VAPIHCS.
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
Whether it’s the sound of an old holiday song, the smell of a childhood dessert, or a movie we once watched a thousand times, certain moments have the ability to pull us instantly back in time. That warm wave that rises in us has a name: nostalgia – a sentimental longing for the past. Nostalgia is a unique, almost paradoxical feeling, described as a “sad pleasure” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Nostalgia is like a smile directed toward the past. It stirs something tender in us, creating a longing to experience—just once more—those days that feel safely tucked away in memory. We often recognize nostalgia in our own voices whenever we speak fondly of “the good old days.”
But here’s a question worth asking: Were the good old days really as good as we remember? Human nature seems to have the subtle habit of remembering the past selectively. Our minds latch onto the bright, joyful moments while quietly blurring out the difficulties that lived right beside them.
The truth is simple: the past and the present share the same ingredients—both contain challenges, and both contain opportunities. Yesterday wasn’t completely golden and today isn’t completely gray. Nostalgia, when left unchecked, can quietly steal our ability to fully experience and appreciate the beauty of right now. Believing that our best days are behind us can lead us to stop stretching to achieve new heights or stepping outside of our comfort zones.
Ask yourself:
· Has longing for the past kept you from being awake to the gift of the present?
· Have you traded today’s possibilities for the illusions of yesterday?
Fully embracing the present can be hindered by two great thieves: “yesterday” and “tomorrow.” One keeps us always looking back, the other keeps us too enthralled with what’s ahead. But today—this moment—is different. Today is the one space where life is actually lived.
During this Thanksgiving season, let's cherish the journey of the past and look forward to what's in store tomorrow. But most importantly, let's be grateful and attuned to the moments and opportunities we have today.
One Team, One Ohana!
Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
