VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

08/25/2025

Meet Andrew Walbeck, VP (chief engineer), Facilities Management Service (FMS) for VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Q. Are you a Veteran?
A. Yes. I joined the PA Army National Guard after college in 2011 and currently serve as an infantry (11 Bravo) platoon sergeant (E-7). So far, all my activations have been within the commonwealth.

Q. Tell us a little about your job at VA Pittsburgh.
A. Oversight of the day-to-day maintenance operations of VA Pittsburgh. This includes renovations, replacing infrastructure and such.

Q. Why did you want to work at VA, and how long have you been at VA Pittsburgh?
A. After first working as a laborer and later managing material handling and maintenance in a power plant, I took a position as a maintenance manager within the University of Pittsburgh. I really enjoyed it and applied to join the Altoona VA facilities team and worked there for six years. I came to VA Pittsburgh in 2021.

Q. What is your favorite part of your job at VA Pittsburgh?
A. The constant change and new challenges daily, never dull. And just being able to walk down the halls and meet fellow Veterans.

Q. What is one thing that Veterans should know about VA that most don’t?
A. How passionate the workers in FMS are. Most FMS team members are Veterans and receive their care here. So, they have a vested interest in the upkeep of the facilities.

Q. Where are you from originally?
A. Cramer, PA.

Q. When you are not at work, what would we most likely find you doing?
A. Participating in youth sports. I am a proud dad of three young athletic daughters, and I am a coach.

Q. What is your favorite season and why?
A. Fall. Pennsylvania is special in the fall with all the colors, plus I am not sweating or freezing.

08/24/2025

"The professionalism and expertise of everyone on the GI Team exceeded my expectations. With this being my first colonoscopy at the VA, I was wondering how my procedure would compare to a well-regarded private practice that had done my previous two. Let me say, the VA team was outstanding with a more personable and thorough experience than at the private practice. I continue to be more and more impressed with the VA and trust you for all my health care needs." -- Veteran's comment on care received at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Are you a Veteran who is not enrolled in VA health care? To find out if you are eligible to enroll in VA health care:
• Call VA toll-free at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/
• Download the mailable VA Form 10-10EZ at https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ez/. Send the completed 10-10EZ with a copy of your DD214 to VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Attn: Patient Registration, University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15240.

08/23/2025

How does your environment make you feel? Discover simple ways to bring nature into your life and boost your well-being! Read more:
https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/veteran-handouts/docs/AssessSurround-508Final-10-22-2018.pdf

08/22/2025

Staff and volunteers treated Veterans in our Community Living Center to food, fun games, balloons and music during our Third Annual VA Palooza in the Masons' Pavilion on our H.J. Heinz III campus.

08/21/2025

Have you ever considered meditation?

Meditation can:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Lower blood pressure
• Prevent memory loss due to aging
• Assist with pain management

Our eight-week virtual class shows you various meditation styles and techniques and how to develop your own meditation practice.

There are two ways to join, virtual or in person.
Virtual:
• Mondays at 3 p.m.
• Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

In person at the H.J. Heinz III campus, Center for Whole Health and Wellness:
• Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

To join the next course cycle or learn more, call 412-822-2119.

08/20/2025

Congratulations to our newest Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) graduates! Their dedication, compassion and service have made a lasting impact on the Veterans we serve and our community. We are proud of their accomplishments and excited to see where their ministry takes them.

Learn about what VA chaplains do at https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/What_Do_Chaplains_Do.asp.

08/19/2025

It’s important to keep up with your screening tests and immunizations to prevent certain kinds of illness. Recommendations for preventive services depend on your age, s*x, health status and family history. Every person is different.

Learn more at https://www.prevention.va.gov/Healthy_Living/Get_Recommended_Screening_Tests_and_Immunizations.asp

08/19/2025

08/18/2025

Meet Ed Miller, facilities space planning coordinator, Facilities Management Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Q. Are you a Veteran?
A. Yes, I served four years active duty in the Army as a 98 Charlie (military intelligence), attaining the rank of specialist. I completed basic training at Fort Dix (New Jersey), intelligence training at Goodfellow AFB (Texas), then was stationed at Schofield Barracks, home of the 25th Infantry, 703rd MI Brigade, 732nd MI battalion, Field Station Kunia in Hawaii.

Q. Tell us a little about your job at VA Pittsburgh.
A. I’m responsible for all the space that is considered VA Pittsburgh (both campuses) and leased properties.
That’s accounting for the use of over 2.5 million square feet of space. This has a direct impact on future funding project awards and ensures the facility is right sized to meet Veterans’ needs.

Q. Why did you want to work at VA, and how long have you been at VA Pittsburgh?
A. I started here in 2002. As a Veteran, I saw a great opportunity to give back and it was a secure job to provide for my family.

Q. What is your favorite part of your job at VA Pittsburgh?
A. I get to see projects from cradle to grave, always a start and completion. Then I get to see Veterans benefit from the hard work with the finished product.

Q. What is one thing that Veterans should know about VA that most don’t?
A. For me, I initially didn’t know how to (apply to) enroll in VA (health care). Veterans can apply to enroll for health care benefits in person at one of our facilities (with a copy of their DD-214, if they have it) or they can call the Health Eligibility Center at 1-877-222-8387. (Editor’s note: for all the ways to apply, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/)

Q. Where are you from originally?
A. Born in Cumberland, Maryland, later raised in Westmoreland County, ultimately living for the last 30 years in Plum Borough, Allegheny County.

Q. When you are not at work, what would we most likely find you doing?
A. I have been refereeing amateur, high school, and college-club ice hockey for 27 years.

Q. What is your favorite or dream vacation?
A. Anywhere I can disconnect from technology (can be by an ocean with sand or in the mountains).

08/17/2025

Did you know Veterans who are enrolled with us for health care have access to free online fitness classes?

Sign up for free virtual wellness classes through Millennium Health & Fitness to get access to live and on-demand classes. Choose from barre, yoga, cardio, meditation, Pilates, tai chi, Zumba, HIIT, Les Mills body combat and more. Must be enrolled for health care with any VISN 4 VA medical facility.

Get started in three easy steps:
1. To register, visit millenniumhealthandfitness.com/visn-4-registration and wait for email confirmation your registration is approved.
2. Once registration is confirmed, log in at millenniumhealthandfitness.com/login.
3. Save this address to your computer or smart phone for quick access anytime, anywhere: millenniumhealthandfitness.com/virtual-classes.

08/16/2025

Sometimes you just need someone to hear you. If you or a Veteran you know is going through a crisis, get immediate help by talking to a qualified, caring responder at any time, day or night.
Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

08/16/2025

Trying to beat the heat? Check out these no-cook turkey apple pita or southwestern corn and black bean salad recipes from the VA Cooking With Ease Cookbook. For more no-cook recipe ideas, Veterans enrolled with us for health care can call 412-822-3000, press 0 and ask to speak with a dietitian.
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/docs/Cookbooks/CookingWithEaseCookbookJAN2023.pdf #