VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System

03/20/2026

Meet Keith Wingad, originally from Minooka, Minnesota and now living in Omaha.

Keith served 20 years in the U.S. Army, beginning with ROTC at the University of Minnesota in 1969, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate, placing him among the top 5% in the nation.

Originally set to serve in Vietnam, his path shifted as the war came to an end, leading him instead to Italy. There, during a tense time in history, he led a joint unit on an Italian Air Force base, working alongside American and Italian personnel in a role that carried significant responsibility. No matter where the Army took him, one thing remained constant, his passion for flying.

“There’s just something about it…the focus, the discipline, the responsibility. I loved every minute of it.”

Determined to pursue it, Keith earned his wings, graduated at the top of Army flight school, and went on to command aviation units while flying alongside some of the most experienced pilots in the military. Throughout his career, it was the moments and the people that left the greatest impact.

One that stayed with him and shaped him as a person, happened during the 1980 Winter Olympics, when a crowded Officers Club full of aviators suddenly fell silent. “You could feel the respect. It was overwhelming.” A Medal of Honor recipient had just entered the room. "He was just a small guy, no bigger than 5'7 but what he did was so courageous, so unbelievable. What he did was save a lot of lives."

Today, Keith reflects on those experiences and shares them through his writing, preserving a lifetime of lessons in leadership, discipline, and purpose. In this chapter of life, he enjoys a quieter pace at home with his medical alert & loyal companion, Luna, licensed and certified through the Nebraska Humane Society.

Now more than ever, Keith remains grounded in the same values that guided him throughout his career.

His story is a reminder that even when the path changes, passion and purpose can carry you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Thank you, Keith, for your service and for continuing to share your story. 🇺🇸

03/20/2026

Stay tobacco-free with the Stay Quit Coach app. Create a personalized quit plan, find coping strategies for withdrawal, and more. https://mobile.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach

03/20/2026

This week, we honor the vital role of VA in health professions education. For 80 years, VA has been the largest provider of health professions education, ensuring future providers are well-equipped to care for our Veterans. VA trains more than 124,000 health professions trainees each year, ensuring high-quality health care for the next generation of Veterans. Trainees make up about one-third of VA’s clinical workforce. Check out this video to see VA's history of training healthcare providers going back 80 years. Link to video: https://youtu.be/EufgmiMC8hk

03/19/2026

If you’re at the Omaha VA today stop by the ACC hallway before 1 pm to get information about VBA, kidney/dialysis, the new Electronic Health Record coming next year, MyHealtheVet, Veteran Directed Care, hospice, su***de prevention and music therapy. We’ll have a Hero Hub health fair every third Thursday of the month with different groups sharing information and resources.

03/17/2026

Friends, family, and the whole community play a critical role in su***de prevention. Staying connected to the Veteran in your life can help make it easier to recognize when they might need support.

Learn more about prevention: MentalHealth.VA.gov/su***de_prevention/prevention.

03/16/2026

It’s National Nutrition Month®. Discover the power of nutrition!

Try a new whole grain: whole grains are packed with fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. Explore beyond brown rice! Sample quinoa, farro, bulgur, or barley in a salad or side dish.

Want a delicious way to eat more whole grains? Try out this recipe from our Healthy Teaching Kitchen: https://ow.ly/KX2Z50YuZfm

03/16/2026

03/13/2026

If you are evacuating from wildfires and forget medications, you can call VA Health Connect at 833-983-0484 for assistance. Press 1 for pharmacy, 2 for scheduling, or 3 to speak to a nurse for non-emergent issues. VA Health Connect is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires for information about how to prepare or respond to wildfire risk.

Resource link (wildfire and wind data):
https://wfca.com/fire-map?lng=-99.6809&lat=41.5182&zoom=7.25

Resource link (NDOT 511):
https://new.511.nebraska.gov/@-101.96433,41.71694,7?show=roadReports,constructionReports,winterDriving,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,weatherRadar

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

From the plains of South Dakota to the open seas of the Pacific, U.S. Navy Veteran Patricia Whitebear has lived a life defined by courage and adventure.

A proud member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, Patricia joined the Navy at 36 years old, stepping into a world very different from the one she knew. Serving 14 years as a calibration technician, she became part of one of the early groups of women stationed aboard Navy ships in the 1980’s, a time when women at sea were still breaking barriers.

Her journey took her from Pearl Harbor to Great Lakes, and eventually aboard the USS Jason, where she completed multiple deployments, including missions through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. As a Native American woman in a male-dominated environment, Patricia often stood out, sometimes as one of the very few Native Americans serving on her ship.

But she embraced the experience and the opportunity to grow.

One of the most meaningful influences during her service was a Navy chaplain she worked with in San Diego. Patricia admired the way he lived his values with quiet strength and authenticity. Through that connection, she began assisting with photography and public affairs work, documenting events and community projects, an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling and creativity.

After leaving the Navy, Patricia continued her journey in Hawaii, working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and traveling to remote islands like Midway Atoll, where she witnessed wildlife and natural beauty that few people ever see.

When we asked Patricia what being a Veteran means to her, she shared a powerful reflection:

“You knew your value as a person. You had a job to do, and you did it the best you could.”

Now 82 years old and living near her son in South Omaha, Patricia hopes her legacy will be remembered for one thing, an adventurous spirit.

“You don’t know what you can become unless you try.”

Her story reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply take the first step into the unknown.

🇺🇸 Thank you for your service, Patricia Whitebear.

03/12/2026

If you see signs of crisis and aren’t sure what to do next, the Veterans Crisis Line can help and get you connected to local support: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

03/11/2026