William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

11/14/2025

11/13/2025

🇺🇸 We were honored to induct U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lynn Mitkos into our Hall of Heroes today. He comes from a family of public servants - his father served in the military, four of his five children served in the military and his fifth child serves as his caregiver.

He received five Purple Hearts, a Soldier's Medal and a Bronze Star with "V" Device, among his many decorations after four tours in Vietnam.

Welcome to our Hall of Heroes, thank you for your service, and welcome home, sir! 🫡🇺🇸

(🎥Ceremony video will be posted in the comments below when it's ready)

11/13/2025

Stop by today at 11 a.m. to celebrate our hero!

Join us as we induct U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lynn Mitkos into our Hall of Heroes on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the hospital auditorium. Sgt. 1st Class Mitkos served in Vietnam earning five Purple Hearts, Soldier's Medal and a Bronze Star with "V" Device among his many medals for heroism. 🇺🇸

11/12/2025

Happy birthday to our 102-year-old volunteer and World War II Veteran, Mae Bryant, who still comes in on Mondays to donate her time. She invited Gabriella Rusk from WMTV 15 News to return next year for her 103rd celebration! 🎂🎊

A Lake Mills woman turned 102 years old and enjoyed a surprise celebration at the VA Hospital in Madison.

11/11/2025

Thank you Vets! 🫡🇺🇸

11/10/2025

Join us as we induct U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lynn Mitkos into our Hall of Heroes on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the hospital auditorium. Sgt. 1st Class Mitkos served in Vietnam earning five Purple Hearts, Soldier's Medal and a Bronze Star with "V" Device among his many medals for heroism. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

🎉Happy Birthday Marine Corps 🎂

11/07/2025

🌟 Your success at work means our work was a success! 🌟

Don came to the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program unemployed and without permanent housing. With the support of the Transitional Residence house and Transitional Work services, he worked hard, secured competitive employment, built up his savings, found housing and addressed his health.

"CWT gave me inspiration to work again. It made me feel better about myself and be able to look forward to something daily." - Donald

We are thrilled to see Don's incredible journey and success! 🌟

Job training opportunities are available now!

11/06/2025

💪 Roll up your sleeve! 💪

Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in B2055 for an American Red Cross blood drive. 🩸

Walk ins are always welcome but registration is preferred!

For an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: VAHospitalMadison.

11/04/2025

❤️ Army Veteran Keith McCarter opens his heart...THREE times ❤️

In late 2010, only a year after getting out of the Army, Iraq War Veteran Keith McCarter knew something was wrong.

"I started to feel super weak and not eating," he recalled. "Come to find out, I was in end-stage heart failure."

He was just 25 years old.

Since he was too weak for a heart transplant, McCarter had his first heart surgery to install a mechanical heart pump known as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) designed to provide long-term circulatory support.

For three years, McCarter lived with the LVAD as well as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that used electric shocks to regulate his heart. Due to physical restrictions of his condition, he couldn’t exercise and needed gastric sleeve surgery to control his weight, which involved removing a large portion of his stomach.

"I was the first person with the LVAD to have the gastric sleeve done at UW," he noted.

This surgery helped him lose over 100 pounds, dramatically improving his health and quality of life.

"I did the right thing, listened to the doctors and took my medications consistently – it worked," he explained.

His heart function improved so much that the LVAD was no longer needed, which led to McCarter’s second heart surgery to remove it in 2014.

“Not too many people get the chance to have the LVAD explanted,” he said. "And I’ve lived without it for about 11 years, relying only on my ICD and medications. I felt like a healthy guy."

During those 11 years, McCarter’s passion for law enforcement led him to become a Dane County sheriff's deputy – a demanding but rewarding job he loves.
However, life had another curveball planned.

By the end of 2024, symptoms of heart failure returned, resulting in multiple procedures and an extended hospitalization at Madison VA. His health care team implanted a catheter-based, miniaturized heart pump under his right collarbone, commonly known as a "baby LVAD." This short-term support measure stabilized his condition until March 2025 when McCarter received his third heart surgery, this time for a transplant.

"It was amazing, and exactly what we were trying to do," he explained. "Being able to live those 10 years meant that a new device became available. That was a big turning point because we hoped the technology would improve if we could make it that far, and it did."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing one in every three Americans. McCarter credits his survival and recovery to the care he received, particularly from the Madison VA Hospital.

“Dr. Murray saved my life in 2011 and has been with me ever since,” he stated. “When I first met him with my mom and wife, he cleared his whole evening to talk with us. I knew I was sick, but I didn't realize I needed a heart transplant. It shocked me.”

As he looks ahead to his future, McCarter, who is currently on medical leave, is determined to return to his law enforcement duties with the help of his VA health care team that supported him throughout his 15-year journey.

"I love my job," he said. "My plan is to make it back."

11/01/2025

🚨 Each year, 8,000 Veterans are diagnosed and treated for lung cancer at VA. 🫁

However, an estimated 900,000 Veterans remain at risk. Find out if YOU qualify for lung cancer screening by speaking with our lung cancer screening team on November 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. outside the Madison VA auditorium. You will receive personalized guidance, educational materials, and the support you need to proactively maintain your lung health. 🌟

Did you know that smoking to***co and exposure to secondhand smoke are significant risk factors for developing lung cancer. Members of our to***co treatment team will also be available to provide information about VA to***co treatment services and connect interested Veterans! 💪

Learn more at www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp