Weekly Highlights: January 20 - 26, 2008
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Get the latest on MEDVAMC special events and news, job openings, education opportunities, and more at http://vaww.houston.med.va.gov/main.
Tools Used for Solving Ethical Dilemmas
The Clinical Practice Office is hosting an educational seminar on Tuesday, January 22, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., in the 4th Floor Auditorium on the tools used for solving ethical dilemmas. All staff is invited to attend. Ms. Cathy Clancy, MSW, Extended Care Line, will be the lecturer. For more information, contact Aley Manjos at ext. 7366.
Free Parkinson’s Disease Patient & Family Forum: "New Technology for Measuring Movement Disorders"
The MEDVAMC Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education & Clinical Center (PADRECC) presents a free educational program and forum on Friday, January 25, 2008, 10 - 11:45 a.m. in the 4th Floor Auditorium for veterans, family members, and friends: "New Technology for Measuring Movement Disorders." The guest speaker is Max Kurz, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Health & Human Performance, University of Houston. A discussion of research opportunities with MEDVAMC neurologists will follow. For more information, contact Naomi Nelson, Ph.D., R.N. at (713) 794-8938.
MEDVAMC Night with the Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets would like to offer the employees, family and friends of MEDVAMC the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Houston Rockets game on Friday, February 29, 7:30 p.m. The Houston Rockets will take on the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. For discount ticket information, contact Meredith Bland at 713-758-7459 or email meredithb@rocketball.com.
Important Transit Information
All employees that commute to work via METRO bus/rail must complete a new Application for Public Transit Benefit (VA Form 0722) due to changes being made by METRO. Completing the Transit Benefit Form, located on the "P" drive in the Forms folder, will ensure that fare benefits will not be interrupted during this transition. Completed forms must be turned in to the Transit Benefit Coordinator in Room 4B-320 no later than March 3, 2008. Copies of the form are also available in Room 4B-320 (located in the DSS Section/Acquisition & Materiel Management). For more information regarding transit benefits, contact Ray Glover at ext. 4722.
Aggressive Behavior Prevention Survey
The health of the employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is of utmost importance. During the month of January, VHA will conduct the 2008 Aggressive Behavior Prevention Survey. This survey is part of an ongoing effort to evaluate workplace intervention programs, to assess employees’ satisfaction, and to eliminate barriers to employees’ effectiveness, as we become an employer of choice for our employees. In addition, the 2008 Aggressive Behavior Prevention Survey is an effort to measure the effects of these interventions in reducing violence in our facilities. Completing the survey is completely voluntary and your help in responding to the survey is very important. By voicing your opinion you can influence your work destiny and assist all of us in making changes where needed. Your responses are confidential and anonymous. Employees will receive additional instructions from their supervisor.
Clinical Privileges
Clinical privileges are granted to practitioners (such as physicians/dentists) and define what clinical procedures they are allowed to perform independently without supervision or direction. The listing of practitioners and the privileges they have been given has been moved from the MEDVAMC Home Page to the CPRS Tools Tab and then under Credentialing and Privileging. Following the directions at the prompts will open an alphabetized list of MEDVAMC practitioners along with the specific clinical privileges that they have been granted. The information contained in these records is protected under the Privacy Act and the change in location was made to better protect this information which is now restricted to those clinical staff with CPRS access. Information in these records should not be reproduced or used for any other purposes. If the practitioners, reviewing officials, or approved staff with access to this site are aware of any discrepancies, please advise the Credentialing and Clinical Privileging Office at ext. 7035.
2007 Cancer Program Annual Report
The 2007 report can be located on the "P" drive under Annual Reports. For more information, contact Alka K. Mulchandani, CTR at ext. 8042.
Free Events for Students at TMC
IRH at the Texas Medical Center offers the following programs free to all students: "The Wounded Healer" presented by Jim Hollis, Ph.D., Jung Center Executive Director, January 29, 2008, 1-4 p.m. and "The Healing Power of Love" from the Ancient Tibetan Bon Tradition, February 14, 2008, 1-4 p.m. For more information about these and other events, call (713) 797-0600.
Vet to Vet Peer Education and Support Group
The Vet to Vet program began one year ago on January 24. Vet to Vet is a peer education and support group that is composed of veterans teaching and learning from each other about mental illness as a means of achieving recovery. There are no therapists at the meetings - only peers helping peers. The group meets every Wednesday, 6 - 7 p.m., in Room 6B-117 and every Thursday, 9 - 10 a.m., in Room 6B-117 and again at 11 a.m. - noon in Room 6C-166. To obtain more information, stop by an information table on Thursday, January 24, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., in the Main Lobby. For more information, contact Dr. Cristy Gamez-Galka at ext. 4378.
Ready to Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Lose Weight?
Weight Watchers at Work is coming! If you are interested in joining please e-mail Kay Ivey at Ivey.kaymarie@va.gov.
CPR Class Schedule 2nd Quarter 2008
Healthcare Provider CPR classes for MDs, PAs, NPs, RNs, and LVNs are scheduled for January 23, 2008 in the 4th Floor Auditorium; February 14, 2008 in Room 6B-184; March 12, 2008 in the 4th Floor Auditorium. All classes begin at 8 a.m. Heartsaver AED CPR classes for non-licensed staff is scheduled for January 29, 2008 in Room 6B-184 at 8 a.m.; February 6, 2008 in the 4th Floor Auditorium at 12:30 p.m.; February 26, 2008 in Room 6B-184 at 8 a.m.; March 26, 2008 in the 4th Floor Auditorium at 8 a.m. Note: Each class has a different location. To register, send an e-mail to Shannon Dennis at dennis.shannona@va.gov at least one week before the course. Please wear comfortable clothes as the manikins are on the floor.
Burden of Proof for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Cases
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Administrative Law Judges Mona Reed and Claudia James will be conducting training on "The Burden of Proof for EEO Cases," Sunday, February 10, 2008, 1 - 3 p.m., in the 4th Floor Auditorium. This training is open to all MEDVAMC employees. For more information, contact the EEO Office at ext. 7788.
Do you know who to call to smooth the transition of OEF/OIF service members?
The MEDVAMC's Iraqi Veteran Services Coordinator is Ms. Fern Taylor. For assistance, contact Ms. Taylor at ext. 7034 or pager (713) 841-7855. Ms. Toni Brown serves as Program Manager and can be reached at ext. 7928. Ms. Vickie Toliver serves as Alternate OEF/OIF Coordinator and Transition Patient Advisor. She can be reached at ext. 8825. The VA’s first priority is to provide the highest quality health care possible for service-connected disabled veterans, veterans with no health care options, and those who need specialized services. Another major priority of VA employees is to have the highest possible concern for the welfare of service members returning from Southwest Asia. We must understand the importance of informed, hassle-free transition, especially for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) returnees.
Privacy Questions
If you have any questions or concerns regarding privacy of personal data or health information, contact the MEDVAMC's Privacy Officer, Marta Gifford, at (713) 791-1414 ext. 5529 or via email at Marta.Gifford@va.gov.
Van Pool Info
A new van pool for those living in the West Houston area is forming for people working 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., tour. The van would leave from the vicinity of Hwy 6 and Westheimer at 6:50 a.m., arrive at the VA at 7:45 a.m., and depart the VA at 4:35 p.m. Gas expenses will be approximately $20 per month. If you are interested, contact Clarissa Carey at ext. 5736 or via e-mail at Clarissa.Carey@va.gov.
A vanpool from the Katy area (Grand Parkway (Rt. 99)/South Fry Road) is looking to start in April. This vanpool is for staff working the 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. tour. The van will leave at 6:10 a.m. from the Katy area and depart the VA at 3:40 p.m. If you are interested, contact Navin Mediwala at ext. 7624.
Looking For A Vanpool?
Call 1-800-VAN-RIDE, 1-888-606-RIDE, or visit www.vanpoolusa.com/Home/index.asp
Upcoming Events (mark your calendar)
Feb 22 Black History Program, 4th Floor Auditorium, 1 p.m.
Feb 29 Black Business Expo, 4th Floor Auditorium, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mar 5 Blood Drive, Rooms 6B-183 & 184, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Apr 9 American Ex-POW Day Program, 4th Floor Auditorium, 10 a.m.
Apr 30 Blood Drive, 4th Floor Auditorium, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
