Philadelphia VA Medical Center

10/22/2025

🎉 Celebrating Our Women Veterans & Growing Families! 🎉

This afternoon our Women’s Health Clinic rolled out the pink and blue carpet for a very special Baby Shower honoring the moms-to-be who have worn our nation’s uniform. The event planned by Women Veterans Program Manager Amy Scarano and Maternity Care Coordinator Sara Ziccone-Hatton was powered by an all-star clinic team devoted to the unique needs of Women Veterans.

🌷 What the day looked like
• A relaxed lunch, sweet desserts, and lots of laughter
• Baby-shower games (yes, competitive diaper-wrapping happened!)
• Raffles featuring strollers, car seats, diaper bags, and newborn essentials
• DIY floral-crown station led by the artists at Nature’s Gallery Florist Inc.

💙 Powered by our community
A heartfelt thank-you to our Center for Development & Civic Engagement and the generous partners who stocked the gift tables and made the afternoon possible:
• Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks – Bridgeport Lodge 714
• Disabled American Veterans – Chapter 6
• Daughters of the American Revolution – Pennsylvania State Society
• Sheraton Hotel – University City
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary – Department of Pennsylvania

Your continued support ensures we can honor, celebrate, and care for the remarkable women who have served our country both in uniform and now in motherhood.

From all of us at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center: thank you for helping us serve those who served.

10/21/2025

UPDATE: The Veterans Crisis line phone number is back up and running. If you, or a Veteran you know is in crisis, don't wait. Reach out. Call 988, then press 1 for help.

10/21/2025

Our Veteran's Crisis Line, 988, press 1 is experiencing technical difficulties. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of su***de, chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat) or text (838255) to reach responders. If you are in imminent danger, call 911.

Free, 24/7, confidential support is a click away. Our chat responders are available 24/7 to provide support and connect you with resources.

10/21/2025

During the third week of October we pause to honor our healthcare quality professionals for the work that they do to ensure we meet and/or exceed the high quality standards of the regulatory bodies that oversee our operations.

10/21/2025

This week we celebrate Pharmacy Technician Day!
The contributions made by Pharmacy Technicians to Veteran health and safety is integral to patient care and our daily operations. Their hard work, attention to detail, and vast knowledge help make a difference in the care of each Veteran. Please extend your appreciation for the extraordinary work of our Pharmacy Technicians!

10/21/2025

This week we celebrate the men and women pharmacists who with precision accuracy fill your prescriptions, review them for accuracy, check for interactions with other medications in order to provide you with highly reliable care. Thank You Philadelphia VA pharmacists!

10/17/2025

: A VA Portland Health Care System led study found many Veterans admitted to not answering su***de screening forms accurately. The researchers advised clinicians to prioritize trust in clinician-patient relationships over relying solely on screening forms.


https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/news_brief.cfm?RecordID=258270

10/17/2025

: Gerofit was originally a clinical exercise program held within VA facilities to provide supervised, group-based exercise sessions three times a week, but shifted to the online VA’s Gerofit to Home (GTH) program during the pandemic. Group sessions have been conducted in many different online formats, including VA Video Connect system, ever since, involving a warm-up period, aerobic training, whole body strength training, balance exercises, flexibility training, and cool-down period run by at least two clinical providers and customized to each Veterans’ physical needs and abilities. Gerofit also offers pre-recorded videos. When VA researchers from across the country analyzed the physical fitness results for 600 Veteran participants, who were an average age of 75, they found significant improvements in four physical fitness tests: the 2-minute step test, the 30-second chair-to-stand test, the 5-time sit-to-stand test, and the 30-second arm curl test. Their improved scores continued with each fitness test at three, six, and 12 months. The findings demonstrate GTH can be effectively delivered remotely, presenting a scalable model for accessible care in high-risk populations. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Sep. 26, 2025)


https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/news_brief.cfm?RecordID=258271

10/15/2025

🇺🇸🎶 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬! 🎶🇺🇸

Yesterday, the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center was honored to host the renowned 𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘁 for an inspiring performance in our Multi-Purpose Room. Veterans, caregivers, staff, and visitors filled the space with patriotic pride as the quintet’s powerful brass harmonies echoed through the halls, reminding us all of the valor and sacrifice of our military community.

A special salute goes to Joyce Kuwae, Service Chief of our Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE), for coordinating an additional musical treat at the Community Living Center (CLC). Residents there and Marine and Navy patients across the facility were treated to the toe-tapping sounds of the 𝗨𝗦 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 “𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁” 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱. Following their performance, Sailors and Marines hosted a meet-and-greet that lifted spirits, sparked conversations, and created lasting memories for everyone in attendance.

Events like these underscore our commitment to healing through community, connection, and culture. Thank you to the Marine Corps Brass Quintet, the Navy “Country Current” Band, CDCE staff, volunteers, and all who helped make these performances a success. Most importantly, thank you to our Veterans your service inspires everything we do.

Stay tuned for more morale-boosting events as we continue to serve those who have served us all.

Semper Fidelis and Anchors Aweigh!

10/15/2025

Today is Global Handwashing Day. Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of diseases. Always use warm water, soap and scrub your hands and nails as you recite the alphabet.

10/15/2025

October 15th is White Cane Safety Day. Here is some information on how you can support our blind and low-vision Veterans.

10/10/2025

.📣 Today’s Delaware Valley Vet Expo at Parx Casino was a tremendous success!

Our Medical Center Director, Karen Flaherty-Oxler, delivered inspiring remarks to a crowd of more than 200 Veterans, caregivers, and community partners. She shared exciting updates on our ongoing commitment to personalized, world-class care for every Veteran we serve.

A special shout-out to Amy Scarano, Women Veterans Program Manager, who provided an in-depth overview of the comprehensive Women’s Health services available at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. From primary and specialty care to mental health, maternity, and gender-specific services, Amy highlighted the many ways we’re ensuring that Women Veterans receive the care and respect they have earned.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, asked questions, and helped make today’s expo such a meaningful event. Your feedback and engagement drive us to keep expanding and improving our services.

If you couldn’t attend but want to learn more about VA health benefits—especially our Women’s Health programs, please visit us at www.va.gov/philadelphia-health or call 215-823-5800.

Together, we’re strengthening the Delaware Valley Veteran community—one connection at a time. 🇺🇸💙