VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

12/09/2025

Veterans and caregivers – share your story to help us provide better care to Veterans. Join from the comfort of your home and be compensated for your time!

We are seeking Veterans and family/caregivers to share their experiences with VA services. You will:
• Join at least two virtual group discussions per year.
• Be invited to join additional focus groups.
• Complete surveys.
• Meet virtually with VA nurses and nurse researchers.
• Be compensated $25 for each hourlong group attended.

Sharing your perspectives and experiences can:
• Lead to better care for all Veterans.
• Guide us in addressing Veteran/family/caregiver needs.
• Help other Veterans participate in research.

Nurses and nurse researchers are essential members of the medical team that provide care for Veterans. Sharing your perspectives and experiences can lead to better care for Veterans.

For more information, contact Chantele Mitchell-Miland at 412-360-6250 or chantele.mitchellmiland@va.gov.

12/09/2025

12/08/2025

Meet Dr. Dawn Wang, physician and chief of the Comprehensive Wound Service Line at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Q. Are you (or a family member) a Veteran?
A. I have numerous Veterans in my family including a great uncle (Army) who survived the landing on D-Day,
an uncle (Army) who served in Vietnam, an airborne Army ranger cousin, and my niece and her husband both served in the Army.

Q. Tell us a little about your job at VA Pittsburgh.
A. I provide care in the following four areas: wounds or injuries related to mobility, skin cancers, women Veterans and reconstructive surgery. Recently, the Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 held their annual best practice conference and our team won for the best health system impact for using a device to detect stress areas on the body. Thus, an early warning system for intervention before an injury occurs.

Q. Why did you want to work at VA, and how long have you been at VA Pittsburgh?
A. Always like taking care of Veterans. When going through college, I got to work with Veterans, then while with UPMC the opening with VAPHS came up. I have been here for 14 years.

Q. What is your favorite part of your job at VA Pittsburgh?
A. Our team goes above and beyond. We are very cohesive before, during and after surgery, always putting the Veterans first.

Q. What is one thing that Veterans should know about VA that most don’t?
A. Due to size and complexity, VA is usually able to provide the exact care you need and if not, they will find that service for you.

Q. Where are you from originally?
A. A little town called Stevensville, Michigan.

Q. When you are not at work, what would we most likely find you doing?
A. I have three very competitive boys. They are on the national kung fu team and participate in numerous other sports. I enjoy attending games, tournaments and playing sports.

Q. What is your favorite movie or book and why?
A. The Disney movie “Miracle on Ice.” We watch it with our kids before every major competition for inspiration.

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

Help us celebrate a Veteran's 100th birthday!

We’re collecting birthday cards to surprise a World War II Navy Veteran who turns 100 this month. Please mail your card by Dec. 12 — we’ll hand-deliver them to him personally.

His name is still a secret (it’s a surprise!), but here’s what we can share: he was drafted in 1943 and served aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63). He stood on deck in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, when Japan officially surrendered — an unforgettable moment that marked the end of WWII.

Send your birthday cards to:
VAPHS Public Affairs
WWII Birthday Veteran
OOSA-A
1010 Delafield Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Don’t wait — send your card today and help make this milestone truly special.

Thank you for honoring one of our nation’s finest. Please share to spread the word!

12/07/2025

On this Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember and honor the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed and the 1,178 who were injured in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack provoked the U.S.’s entry into World War II.

For information on this year's commemorative events, visit https://www.pearlharborevents.com/.

Shown is Musician 2nd Class Andrew Gushiken performing Taps at the USS Arizona Memorial on Dec. 8, 2024. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brett Anderson.

12/05/2025

It's flu season -- getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk from flu and its potentially serious complications.

You can get your free flu shot at our walk-in clinics on our University Drive and H.J. Heinz campuses from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, except federal holidays. Eligible Veterans are enrolled in VA health care and receive primary care with us.

You can also request the vaccine during any primary care appointment.

Learn more at https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/programs/flu-shots/.

12/05/2025

Learn about women Veterans health care here at VA Pittsburgh at https://www.va.gov/pittsburgh-health-care/health-services/women-veteran-care/.

Women Veterans can now schedule appointments directly with VA gynecology providers without a referral from a primary care provider.

12/04/2025

Plan Today, Honor Forever. Whether choosing a VA national cemetery or a private cemetery, VA burial and memorial benefits are available to Veterans.
Learn more about these benefits and eligibility: https://www.cem.va.gov/veterans-and-families

12/03/2025

Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are invited to attend our Dec. 10 Veterans Town Hall to learn about VA programs, benefits and services. You will hear from VAPHS leadership as well as representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Pittsburgh Regional Office.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 1-2 p.m.
Join in person, via Webex or by phone:
• In person in the Learning Exchange in bldg. 71 on the H.J. Heinz III campus, 1010 Delafield Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.
• Via Webex at https://shorturl.at/66e7N, webinar number 2826 431 3814 and password Zd3VT32xuK@ (93388329 when dialing from a phone or video system).
• By phone at 1-404-397-1596 and enter access code 282 643 13814 – participants must press *3 to raise their hand to ask a question.