Syracuse VA Medical Center

10/24/2025

The Syracuse VA Police will be participating in the DEA National RX Takeback program this Saturday October 25, 2025, between 10:00am and 2:00pm. An Officer will be posted at the Emergency Department entrance providing postage paid envelopes for Veterans, Employees, and Citizens to use to mail their expired or unneeded prescription medications for destruction. If you have expired or unneeded prescription medication and are looking for an easy, safe way to dispose of them please stop by and see us at the Emergency Department entrance this Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Officers assigned to the BHOC, Rome and Binghamton Clinics will also be available to give out Postage paid envelopes to those who needs them on Friday, October 24, 2025.

10/21/2025

10/21/2025

Tuesday, October 21st – is National Pharmacy Technician Day. This is a day to recognize the pharmacy technicians specifically and the contributions they make to our hospital and health care system.

At the Syracuse VA, we have 51 pharmacists and 17 technicians working in a variety of positions within the facility including both inpatient & outpatient pharmacy along with primary care, mental health, inpatient/ internal medicine, anticoagulation, infectious disease, cardiology and oncology. Additionally we have a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program with two pharmacy residents.

Be sure to thank a pharmacist & pharmacy technician for all their hard work!

10/20/2025

About 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience intimate partner violence. Your VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program coordinator can help.
https://www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV/Coordinators.asp

10/17/2025

We are proud to announce Katie Hood as our DAISY honoree for the month of September.

While working as the charge nurse of the Emergency Department, Katie Hood had an encounter with a veteran in crisis who wanted to leave against medical advice. Katie and Dr. Finley of the ED showed extreme patience, respect, and all-around care while attempting to de-escalate the veteran, who was already outside the ED doors. They called for police assistance in an attempt to ensure the safety of the veteran and others in the area.

Katie continued to be patient and listen to the veteran for as long as required while still being attentive to the fact that the ED was filled with other patients who needed care. She then advocated for the veteran to stay just a little longer so he could revisit with the psych team to get a care plan in place. Even when the veteran initially refused to proceed with care, Katie and Dr. Finley remained committed to advocating for the absolute best solutions. While Katie had to return to the ED, she and Dr. Finley exhausted every possible avenue to get the veteran the care he needed, even calling in Dr. Pflanz, Syracuse VA Chief of Staff, to return to the station for additional support of the veteran.

10/16/2025

Honoring our Instrumental Heroes during Sterile Processing Week!

In FY 25 the team safely sterilized and delivered 18,716 instrument sets and 102,682 single instruments to customers across our network, supporting surgical, clinic, and bedside procedures. Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) are cleaned and high level disinfected or sterilized for patient care being performed in the Syracuse VA Medical Center, Rome CBOC, Binghamton CBOC and our Dental clinic. A total of 2,877 decontamination and high-level disinfection cycles were performed in support of Endoscopy procedures.

With tireless dedication to best practices, policies and procedures, and process monitoring, our providers can count on clean and sterile instruments for use on our Veterans. All of this is because of you.

10/16/2025

As a woman Veteran, your risk factors for breast cancer may vary. VA recommends average risk women start screening for breast cancer with mammography at age 40 (a change from VA’s previous recommendation to start at 45). New science shows that more lives can be saved from breast cancer by starting screening earlier.
VA also now recommends that women aged 40-74 get screened for breast cancer every two years. You may choose to get a mammogram every year. For 74+, you can talk with your health care provider about risks and benefits.
By getting routine mammograms you may be able to detect breast cancer early and get treatment before it spreads. Mammogram costs are covered for Veterans receiving care at VA. https://www.womenshealth.va.gov

10/15/2025

Last week, we proudly recognized Emergency Nurses Week, a time to honor the extraordinary dedication, skill, and compassion of our emergency nursing staff.

Emergency Nurses are often the first point of care for patients in crisis. They work in fast-paced environments and consistently rise to the occasion with resilience and professionalism. Their commitment to delivering high-quality care during the most critical moments saves lives and brings comfort when it’s needed most.

To our Emergency Nurse: Thank you for your tireless service, your strength in the face of challenges, and your unwavering commitment to patients and families. You are truly the heart of emergency care. In honor of Emergency Nurses week, let’s take this opportunity to show our gratitude and support for our incredible emergency nursing team.

10/15/2025

Gerry Simmons, a Peer Specialist with our Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) program, has been names the Syracuse VA Peer of the Year!

Gerry shared, "I have experienced the ups and downs that come with working in the mental health field. I love my job because it's more than just a job. There really isn't a 'Peer of the Year' without the support of the team behind you"

Please join us in celebrating Gerry for his dedication, compassion, and the powerful impact he makes every day in supporting our Veterans.