Department of Veterans Affairs/ Salem Medical Center To Hold Outreach Event In Hot Springs

Hot Springs, Va – On Wednesday October 12th, representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs Salem Medical Center will be in Hot Springs for an outreach event. They want to bring information to area veterans and assist them in signing up for benefits that they are eligible for. Marian McConnell is the Public Affairs Officer at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.

“We are reaching out to veterans of all ages to encourage them to enroll for healthcare if they have not already and to offer some education and enrollment information for them and their family members,” says McConnell.

The Salem VA Medical Center offers comprehensive care. The medical center has community based outpatient clinics in Lynchburg, Danville, Tazewell and a new one will open in Staunton, Virginia later this month.

“We are reaching out to veterans who may not know about us, may not hear about us, may not realize that they are eligible for services,” says McConnell. “So we bring with us information about how they can enroll. They are encouraged to bring a copy of what’s called their DD 214, that’s their discharge papers and we can start the ball rolling to get them enrolled for health care.”

The Salem VA Medical Center also has a website where you can learn about services and events; on the web go to salem.va.gov

“Another thing is some of the newer, the younger veterans who are returning say from Iraq or Afghanistan, you know they’ve just gotten back,” says McConnell. “They want to spend time with their families, and they may not feel like they really need or want any care right away or they may just be too busy to think about it. But they really need to go ahead and get enrolled and get in the system. That way if and when they ever need any services, it’s there for them.”

“It’s been overwhelming the positive feedback that we’ve gotten when we do go out and meet with veterans. And they say Oh we’re so happy that you came to us, thank you for bringing us this information’.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs outreach event is Wednesday October 12 from 6 to 8pm. It will be held at VFW Post 4204 located at 306 Ashwood Drive in Hot Springs. For more information contact Marian McConnell at 540-855-3460.