LVMAC

Forward Observer — Change 2 to the Veterans Choice Program – Further Tinkering This Time …

But Expect More to Come

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 1 December, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it again was making changes to its Veterans Choice Program after “learning from our stakeholders what works and what needs to be refined …” It is the second major announcement, since the program began on 5 November 2014.  As previously reported, the “as the crow flies” 40 mile rule was changed to actual driving distance on 24 April 2015.  A back story to this last announcement has been barely noticed. (more…)

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LVMAC News — The Region’s Top Healthcare Providers and LVMAC March On With Their Healthcare Alliance

Positive gains made, more to come

LVMAC HOC LogowithcirclelessTiltedAt a press conference on November 11 at Bethlehem’s City Council Chamber, President of LVMAC, Gerald Still, Retired Major General (USAF), announced the Healthcare in Our Community (HOC) alliance has remained strong and viable and has grown going into its fifth year. Still said, “The commitment of the CEOs of the participating organizations in this working alliance has been remarkable and necessary. Our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, continue to return to an environment where there are no major military medical facilities close to home. It is absolutely critical that we continue to work with one another and the local VA to meet the short- and long-term needs of our military veterans.” (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Allentown Winter Warming Center to Open December 1

From the Lehigh Conference of Churches

LCC LogoOn Tuesday, December 1, a Warming Center will open in Allentown to provide overnight emergency shelter to those without homes. The Lehigh Conference of Churches will manage operations at the City of Allentown’s Fountain Pool Building, located at the corner of S. 10th Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Warming Center’s opening date coincides with the start of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering in a coordinated regional effort to meet the increased need for warm, safe refuge for homeless individuals seen in previous winters.  (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Talking About Yoga, You Might Want to Check Out Meghan’s Foundation

Meghan Foundation LogoWe just posted an article on Lehigh Valley Health Network’s yoga class offering.  However, we would be remiss if we did not mention Meghan’s Foundation which has been conducting free yoga classes for active duty military, veterans and their spouses for quite some time in the Lehigh Valley.  It was probably the first to introduce the idea of using yoga as a way of coping with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the Lehigh Valley. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Something Unusual from LVHN — an Offer of a Free Introductory Yoga Class to Honor Those Who Serve Our Country

It’s been all the rage lately in veterans’ circles: the benefits of one of the Americanized versions of yoga.  Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) evidently is experimenting with it.  This article is from them:

LVHN LogoTo honor and thank those who serve our country – as well as those who support them – LVHN invites veterans, active military personnel, their families and other supporters to a free introductory yoga class Nov. 9 from 6-7 p.m. at LVHN Fitness-One City Center, 707 Hamilton Street, Allentown. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Use Your Educational Benefits Wisely Starting 7 November

A's For Vets TwoJust got out and maybe wondering if going back to school is for you — maybe even lacking a little self-confidence about being the right material for a school of higher learning?  Not sure how to best use your educational benefits?  Confused about the process or the next step?  You’ve served in the military,  one of the hardest environments in which to survive even if you did not go into combat — and you’ve done it … what most could not.  Wonder why?  The U.S. military is one of the best trainers and educators in the world, second to none.

So … why not then take advantage of some of the finest educators and subject matter experts in the state to learn about how to train for civilian employment using your military skills, the GI Bill and other benefits.  Why not learn how to use every ounce of your benefits to your advantage and not someone else’s; why not learn from others who are and have just gone through the school on what to look out for, tips and traps.  Why not learn about what jobs are in demand in the Lehigh Valley if you intend to remain here after schooling; why not get to know the schools and trade schools in the area;  and why not just figure out — plain and simple — if school is the right fit for you?   (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Uncle Dod Needs Your Help

USAMRMC logoThe U.S. Army’s Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is responsible to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), which is charged with finding and funding often leading-edge, medical research for new devices and treatments for the many injuries and illnesses sustained by our military, veterans; and ultimately the American public.  This little known but well-regarded effort has been in existence since 1995.  It now seeks your help.  In light of all the actions this Council has taken to improve the health of our veterans, we think this is a government effort worthy of your consideration.

One of the notable features of CDMRP is that it reviews proposed new ideas using citizens on review panels to help recommend which efforts would make the most important and positive differences in people’s lives. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit: Did Yah Know? Actionable Items of Potential Interest – #1

Gulf War Vets Needed for Research: The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the VA in East Orange, N.J., currently has several research studies focused on Gulf War veterans who deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm, as well as non-deployed veterans of the same era. If you are a veteran from the 1990-91 era, or if you have a Gulf War illness and would like to know more about the research, please call 1-800-248-8005 or visit their Gulf War Research page at: http://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/research/volunteer/nj-wriisc.asp.

(Source: VFW Action Corps Weekly, 18 September 205) (more…)

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