Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center

07/31/2025

You can now schedule your next VA appointment quickly and easily using the VA Health Chat app! Our schedulers in the VISN 4 Clinical Contact Center are now available to help you from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week including federal holidays. Download the app or launch the chat at mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-chat.

07/30/2025

Save money and skip the takeout by using grocery stores and hotel kitchenettes to prepare quick, healthy meals while traveling. Meet with your local VA dietitian to discuss more healthy, quick meal ideas.
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/docs/Cookbooks/CostFriendlyCookingDEC2024.pdf #

07/25/2025

As a caregiver of a Veteran, you may experience grief even before a loved one passes away. The first step to healing is recognizing these feelings and finding ways to cope. Learn more here: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/Grief-Loss.asp

07/25/2025

Today is National Hire a Veteran Day! National Hire a Veteran Day is an observance founded to remind employers to consider hiring Veterans to fill their open positions. Veterans add leadership skills, dedication, strength, courage, and countless other positive traits to the workforce.

07/25/2025

As a Veteran, you might experience difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military. We’re here to help no matter how big or small the problem may be.

VA has resources to address the unique stressors and experiences that Veterans may face: Mentalhealth.va.gov/mental-health-recovery/resources.asp

07/25/2025

A Veteran in your life doesn’t seem like themself? Speak up. You don’t have to wait for the “right” moment or perfect words.

Start a conversation that could save a life: VeteransCrisisLine.net/CrisisConversationHandout.

07/23/2025

Just because the barbecue lasts all day doesn’t mean the macaroni salad will. Keep cold foods below 40 degrees to help prevent foodborne illnesses. Learn more about food safety in VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen classes!
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/Healthy_Teaching_Kitchen.asp

07/23/2025

Mindful awareness, or mindfulness, helps you live your life more fully. It means noticing how you feel, emotionally and physically, in the present moment. Mindfulness is useful in all aspects of your Whole Health, for example, making healthy food choices or coping with stress. Try the 3-minute mindfulness exercise here to see how it works.

Embrace the present, let go of the past, and ease worries about the future. Dive into the power of mindfulness to find peace in this week's !

07/23/2025

Worried about unhealthy opioid use? VA offers treatment and resources for recovery—designed by people who understand Veterans’ needs.

Find local VA programs: Mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/opioid-use-disorder.asp

07/21/2025

Things feeling off? Don’t wait for it to get worse. The Veterans Self-Check Assessment is a free, private way to see where you stand.
Learn more: vetselfcheck.org.

07/18/2025

With a little planning, you can make nutritious choices while traveling. A VA dietitian can offer ideas for travel-friendly meals and snacks to keep you fueled on your next adventure.
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/Recipes/Snacks/GrabGoSnacks.asp

07/18/2025

The Wilkes-Barre VA’s Arts & Humanities Committee recently launched an initiative called “Adopt A Spot”. This initiative invited services throughout the facility to “adopt” a designated entrance on campus to spruce up. Each service adopting a spot was given three planters to fill with beautiful bright flowers to bring color and joy to our entrance ways. All planters will be maintained by their adopted services.

The goal of the initiative was to help foster pride, teamwork, and a welcoming environment for all who visit. A huge thank you is going out to one of our community partners Home Depot for generously donating the planters and supporting this special project!