The Launch Readying Warriors and Caring For Heroes

Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center's Monthly Newsletter - Feb. 14, 2025

The Launch is the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center’s official monthly digital publication. The newsletter highlights the efforts of staff, patients and volunteers. It includes a message from leadership, highlights Lovell FHCC’s digital presence and promotes monthly events.

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Upcoming Events

Federal Holiday, Facility Closed

  • Presidents’ Day is Feb. 17, 2025.
  • In observance of the federal holiday, our administrative offices and clinics will be closed. Our Emergency Department, inpatient care and mental health care will remain open.

Heart Health Information Table – North Chicago

  • February is National Heart Health Month. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Lovell FHCC’s Health Promotion Disease Prevention Team will host a table with information about heart health on the Quarterdeck (Bldg. 133EF entrance) of the main hospital (3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064).

Health Awareness Information Table – Evanston CBOC

  • On Monday, Feb. 24, from 8 a.m.- noon, Lovell FHCC’s Health Promotion Disease Prevention Team will host a table with information about cervical cancer, heart health and colorectal cancer at the Evanston Community Based Outpatient Clinic (1942 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202).

A Message from Leadership...

Capt. Chad Roe, MSC, USN, Deputy Director Lovell FHCC, Commanding Officer Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Great Lakes

With January behind us, I hope your New Year’s resolutions are still propelling you toward a healthier future! As the first fully integrated Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense medical facility we strive to provide quality, patient-centered care to everyone we treat – Navy recruits, military servicemembers and their families, Veterans, caregivers and survivors – to help you stay healthy.

Did you know that in addition to patient care, our Navy medical staff are also focused on supporting operational readiness to ensure medical forces and future Sailors are prepared to meet the military needs of today and tomorrow?

Navy staff at Lovell FHCC are assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Great Lakes. NMRTCs, established by Navy Medicine in 2019, manage the development, training and sustainment of medical teams across the Navy Fleet, ensuring Sailors and Marines are medically ready to deploy while leading efforts in public health and operational medicine.

NMRTC Great Lakes is responsible for the medical, dental, mental and physical readiness of every Navy recruit entering the Fleet at Recruit Training Command on Naval Station Great Lakes, ensuring each member is deployable and fit to fight. In addition, NMRTC Great Lakes supplies three Navy Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical Systems (ERSSs) teams to the deployable force which provide agile, world-class medical care wherever the Fleet operates.

Within our walls, we are supporting Navy Medicine’s mission of maintaining the health and readiness of Sailors, Marines, and joint forces, ensuring mission success anytime, anywhere; and delivering top notch care to our patients. Hooyah!

Need to Know Info

First Medical Foster Home Seeks Residents

Lovell FHCC has officially opened its first Medical Foster Home in Vernon Hills! The Medical Foster Home has capacity for two Veterans and is currently seeking residents.

The primary and relief caregiver at the Medical Foster Home reside in the home and will provide room, board, and 24/7 caregiving assistance. The home has two available bedrooms as well as four bathrooms, two living rooms and a dining room. Amenities include a room-to-room intercom system, Wi-Fi, cable access, nutritious meals and weekly activities.

If you, or someone you know, qualifies for Home Based Primary Care and is interested in living in the Medical Foster Home, speak with your Veterans Affairs Primary Care Provider for a referral or contact John Zidek, Medical Foster Home Program Coordinator, at John.Zidek@va.gov or 224-623-5731 for more information.

About Medical Foster Homes

Veterans Affairs’ Medical Foster Homes provide a long-term care option for qualifying Veterans who are no longer able to live independently. The homes are a safe alternative to a nursing home for patients who prefer a non-institutional setting. Medical Foster Homes are matched with a Veteran’s physical, social and emotional needs. Veterans living in a Medical Foster Home are required to receive health care services from the Lovell FHCC Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) team.

While Lovell FHCC helps coordinate care, Medical Foster Homes are not currently provided or paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The cost for using the home is the responsibility of the Veteran, and the price varies based on income and the level of care needed. The cost is typically less than half the cost of a nursing home.

Homes meet federal regulations and are continually inspected to ensure oversight and compliance. Lovell FHCC will provide guidance, training, assistance and oversight to Medical Foster Home caregivers to ensure they are able to properly care for their Veteran residents.

Check out the Veterans Health Administration’s Medical Foster Homes video for additional information.

Emergency Suicide Care and Treatment Through COMPACT Act

Veterans in acute suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

Under the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020, care was expanded to help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis.

The policy allows the VA to:

  • Provide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care
  • Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care
  • Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits
  • Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care

Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are:

  • Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces

Veterans, and those caring for Veterans, can also use 988 (then press 1) to quickly connect with caring, qualified crisis support 24/7.

For more information, contact Lovell FHCC COMPACT Act Program Coordinator Claire Foss at claire.foss@va.gov or 224-610-2054 or visit VA’s Emergency Medical Care website.

New Deadline for VA’s Upcoming Secure Sign-in Changes is March 4

VA is committed to making it as easy as possible for Veterans to manage their benefits and health care online while protecting Veterans’ identities and data. As part of this commitment, and in an effort to streamline Veterans’ sign-in options, VA will transition to two modern, secure sign-in options in 2025 via Login.gov or ID.me.

After this transition, Veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers looking to access VA’s online services (e.g., VA.gov, the VA: Health and Benefits mobile app, My VA Health patient portal and other VA online services) will need to sign in with either a Login.gov or ID.me account. Veterans and other beneficiaries will not be able to use My HealtheVet (after March 4, 2025) or DS Logon (after Sept. 30, 2025) usernames and passwords to sign in to VA online services.

Veterans can begin this transition now by visiting www.va.gov/sign-in-changes to learn how to create a verified Login.gov or ID.me account. The process takes about 10 minutes. Veterans who do not transition before these deadlines will be able to resume accessing their data, benefits, and services online as soon as a Login.gov or ID.me account is created.

This transition only impacts account-based online services. Many VA webpages are accessible without signing in—such as finding information about VA locations, downloading VA forms, learning more about the PACT Act, how to file claims, and more.

Why is VA transitioning to Login.gov or ID.me accounts?

  • This change helps VA continue protecting the security of Veterans’ identities and data by making sure all Veterans are using modern, secure accounts and have the added protection of multifactor authentication.
  • Identity theft and related medical identity theft are serious issues that can cause severe financial hardship and disruption in medical care for Veterans and their families. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft. That same year, Veterans and military retirees also reported to the FTC $350 million in losses to fraud.

Actions to take—and who’s affected

If you use an account to access any VA online services – including through VA’s mobile app – and are not yet using Login.gov or ID.me, this change will impact you.

If you:

  • Already use a Login.gov or ID.me account to access VA’s online services or mobile app, you are all set and don’t need to do anything additional.
  • Currently use a DS Logon or My HealtheVet username and password to access VA’s online services or mobile app, we encourage you to create a Login.gov or ID.me account as soon as possible so you have time to get used to the new process before the sign-in process changes.
  • Are planning to create a sign-in account for the first time this year to access VA’s online services or mobile app, please create and use a Login.gov or ID.me account.
  • Want to manage your VA benefits and services offline, that’s not a problem. VA will continue to provide easy access to manage your VA benefits and health care in other ways, including by phone or in-person.

Learn more

Resources for Help

If you need assistance establishing a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can reach out to our My VA Health Coordinators at 847-688-1900 ext. 68281 or email them at vhanchfhcclovellmyvahealthgov@va.gov. The coordinators can be reached through Secure Messaging on the My VA Health patient portal as well. Select “FHCC Ask A Connected Care Coordinator” in the drop-down to message them directly.

If you prefer to receive help in person, the main hospital in North Chicago has volunteers who can assist you. Their desk is near the Primary Care Clinic on the first floor. Volunteers are normally available Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The McHenry Community Based Outpatient Clinic also has a My VA Health volunteer who can assist you Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

TRICARE Online to Decommission April 1

The TRICARE Online Patient Portal will be decommissioned on April 1, 2025. If you would like to keep your legacy electronic health records, download them before April 1 at www.TRICAREOnline.com.

Your provider will still be able to view your electronic health records, but it is recommended that you maintain your own copy as well. You can also request copies of your health records from the Medical Records Office.

February is National Heart Health Month

Cardiovascular disease, also known as “heart disease,” can refer to a number of conditions including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, or heart valve problems. Heart disease often has no symptoms that you can feel or notice, but there are warning signs that you may be experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest. If you have any of the following warning signs or see someone experiencing them, call 911 immediately. Signs include:

  • Chest discomfort
  • Pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw
  • Upset stomach or arm weakness
  • Irregular breathing or shortness of breath
  • Cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness
  • Face drooping
  • Speech difficulty or sudden loss of responsiveness

Most heart disease can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. The best ways to prevent heart disease include:

  • Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and weight
  • Exercising at least 150 minutes a week and getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night
  • Controlling your blood pressure and diabetes
  • Managing your stress and practicing self-care
  • Avoiding smoking and drinking excessively
  • Understanding your personal risk factors and family history

Talk to your health care provider about available tools to prevent and manage heart disease, including access to heart risk assessments, prevention services and treatment.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Testing Available for Veterans

The VA offers genetic testing for current VA patients at no cost. Genetic testing, known as pharmacogenomics, uses your genetics to help find the right medicine and dose for patients. Genes are inherited from parents and carry the information that may help explain why you react differently to medicines compared to other people. Genes can affect how a medicine may work for you, your risk of side effects and your medicine and treatment plan. This includes prescribed mental health medicines as well as other medicines that you may use now or receive in the future. Other factors, including age, sex, race, ethnicity and other medicines you take may impact how your respond to medication.

The pharmacogenomics (PGx) genetic test uses your DNA – in combination with your medical history – to help your doctor determine treatments that may work better for you. Learn more by watching this video from the VA’s National Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Program. If you are interested in getting tested, please contact your VA primary care provider or Dr. Michelle Nguyen at michelle.nguyen8@va.gov or 224-610-5332.

New TeleAudiology Walk In Service Tuesdays and Thursdays

As of Jan. 14, Veterans may walk in for the TeleAudiology Asynchronous/Store and Forward (SFT) service in the Audiology Clinic (Bldg. 133CA-1D). The service provides a hearing evaluation by a Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT), which will be later reviewed by an audiologist. The same-day walk-in appointments will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

TeleAudiology is the identification, assessment, diagnosis and non-medical treatment of auditory-related impairments using encrypted telehealth technologies.

Using TeleAudiology SFT is free to Veterans, regardless of their service connection status. Patients can self-refer, or their providers can place an order for the test. Go to the Audiology Department and notify the front desk staff that you would like to complete a TeleAudiology hearing test.

Patients can do the test at their own pace. The test is comprehensive and includes otoscopy, immittance, bone conduction and speech testing. At the end of the test, a hearing aid mold impression is done in case the patient requires a hearing aid to avoid another appointment for hearing aid measurement and mold impression.

The TeleAudiology SFT service is only available for Veteran patients. Lovell FHCC patients using Champ VA or TRICARE are not eligible. Patients in the following categories should not use TeleAudiology SFT, but seek treatment from their medical team:

  • Patients with sudden hearing loss developed over 30 days or less
  • Patients with chronic hearing loss, a rapid worsening of hearing over the last 90 days
  • Earache or drainage from the ear in those who are immunocompromised
  • Patients who have dementia or substance use that affects their ability to follow instructions
  • Patients who are seeking VA service connection for hearing loss

Questions? Contact Denise Remo-Nunez, clinical telehealth lead, at 224-610-1122 or Denise.Remo-Nunez@va.gov or Holly Isaacs, facility connected health coordinator, at 224-610-1140 or Holly.Isaacs@va.gov.

Set Up TRICARE West Payment by Feb. 28

On Jan. 1, 2025, 1.5 million beneficiaries across six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin) moved from TRICARE East to TRICARE West and got a new contractor, TriWest. Please note, the TRICARE for Life program is not impacted by the new contract or transition to the West Region.

If you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card, you must securely give your recurring payment information to the West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The Defense Health Agency has extended the payment deadline for those enrolled in a TRICARE premium-based plan (TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE Retired Reserve). You now have until Friday, Feb. 28 to provide your payment information to TriWest.

If you have TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, you also have until Friday, Feb. 28 to pay your fees. If you don’t act before these dates, you’ll be disenrolled, retroactive to Jan. 1.

Learn more, including how to set up payment information, on the TRICARE website.

Temporary TRICARE West Referral Approval Waiver through March 31

A temporary TRICARE West Region Referral Approval Waiver is in effect from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025. The waiver applies to all TRICARE Prime enrollees in the West Region, including active duty servicemembers, active duty family, members, retirees and their families. Patients who enrolled in TRICARE Select or TRICARE For Life do not require a referral to see a specialist.

Beneficiaries must still obtain a referral from their Primary Care Manager (PCM) for outpatient specialty care, however, beneficiaries can seek care from any TRICARE-authorized specialty provider (network or non-network) without waiting for TriWest’s referral pre-authorization. Use the following documentation:

  • A copy of the referral dated Jan. 1 through March 31, or a copy of an unexpired referral authorized before Jan. 1, 2025, by Humana Military or HNFSA
  • A copy of the TRICARE West Region Referral/Authorization Waiver Approval Letter, available on www.tricare.mil/west.

If you have not yet been assigned a TriWest PCM, during this transition period, referrals from your former PCM are valid under the waiver.

If there are already referral requests submitted but not processed, this waiver serves as your pre-authorization for those pending requests. However, TriWest will continue processing their existing inventory, so you may still receive determination letters during the waiver period. If you've already started treatment using the waiver, continue that treatment regardless of any subsequent TriWest determination.

The waiver does not apply to:

If beneficiaries need any of these services, TriWest will still need to approve their referral before they see a specialist.

Beneficiaries should contact TriWest's customer service at 888-TRIWEST (874-9378) with any questions or concerns or visit www.tricare.mil/west.

Schedule Changes for Transportation Services

As of Jan. 6, the Transportation Department made schedule changes that affect the on-campus shuttle bus, the daily shuttle buses that go to Chicago and Milwaukee, and the Metra shuttle. Please see details about the changes below.

The on-campus shuttle bus (route bus) used by patients and staff now runs on an as-needed basis Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. This shuttle bus also accommodates all scheduled (and unscheduled) appointments for Green House home residents at the main hospital and main campus clinics.

To schedule transport from one part of the campus to another, call 224-610-3502 and relay desired pick-up and drop-off times. The shuttle will only pick up and drop off at the existing shuttle stops which are: Lot G, Bldg. 133CA Blue Canopy, Bldg. 133EF Half Circle, Lot T, Heroes Harbor (Green House homes 201, 202, 205, 206), and Buildings 7, 9, 11, 66, 131 and 135.

The shuttle will arrive at your location as soon as available; however, Green House home appointments take precedence. Riders should allow up to 30 minutes for pick-up. The shuttle bus signs around campus have been updated to reflect this change.

The daily shuttles from Lovell FHCC to the Jesse Brown and Edward Hines, Jr. VAMCs in Chicago and the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC in Milwaukee will now run twice a week, respectively. The shuttle to the Chicago VAMCs will run Tuesdays and Thursdays and the shuttle to the Milwaukee VAMC will run Wednesdays and Fridays. To request transport on either shuttle, patients should continue to make reservations through Patient Travel at 224-610-5512. Staff members who schedule appointments for patients at those VA locations are also aware of this change.

Please note, there are no impacts to the shuttle bus that runs between Lovell FHCC and the community based outpatient clinics.

Our Metra shuttle, used by staff and patients, added service for the 4:37 p.m. Chicago-bound Metra train. The #354 Metra train departs the Great Lakes Metra Station every weekday. This shuttle:

  • Departs Building 134 (Blue Canopy pickup) at 4:20 p.m.
  • Departs Building 131 at 4:22 p.m.
  • Departs Lot ‘T’ at 4:24 pm.

These changes are reflected at https://www.va.gov/lovell-federal-health-care-va/programs/shuttle-service/. If you have questions, please contact the Lovell FHCC Transportation Department at 224-610-3502 or email FHCCLovellTransportationManagement@va.gov.

Feature Stories

Staff at Two VA Medical Centers Join Forces to Replace Vietnam Veteran's Cherished Memento

Story provided by Sean Gartland. Courtesy photo provided by Mary Baker.

When Peer Specialist Mary Baker, who works at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan, heard Veteran Jim Kline talk about his graduation from the PTSD program at the former North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), she was intrigued by his memory of a powerful keepsake from the program. Graduates of the program were given dog tags, engraved with their name and an inspirational quote. Somewhere along the way, Jim lost track of his, much to his regret.

Jim volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1965. He served four years active duty and four years inactive Reserves. He was assigned to a Fire Team Rifle Company and spent his entire time in the service in combat, starting with placing mortars in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later playing a role in Operation Starlite, the very first offensive action in Vietnam.

Struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder following his service, he found his way to the PTSD recovery program at what was then known as the North Chicago VAMC. Jim explained how his time in North Chicago taught him that despite the different backgrounds and varied experiences in the group, they were all exhibiting the exact same trauma responses.

Jim spoke of how he – a white man from rural Michigan – and his roommate – an African American man from Chicago – were able to unite in their care and find healing together. He described the ability of the providers to identify each individual’s traumas but as a group, provide the guidance they all needed at the time. He said his experience there lifted a very heavy weight from his shoulders he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.

The dog tags were given in recognition of hard work and completion of the six-week program, and he held the memento dear to his heart.

Seeing how important it was to Jim, Mary wondered if there was a way he could be given another set of dog tags to replace the original and serve as a powerful reminder of the work he did in the program. She contacted Supervisory Recreation Therapist Sean Gartland at the facility (now the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center) and asked if the dog tags were still given to graduates.

Sean wasn’t familiar with the practice but reached out to his colleagues in Mental Health and other recreation therapists he thought may have known about it. As luck would have it, Mental Health Special Emphasis Programs Department Head Dr. Anthony Peterson remembered the practice, and the Program Manager in the homeless domiciliary, Dr. Noam E. Wittlin, had actually been given one of the sets of dog tags by a Veteran who was a former patient.

Dr. Wittlin volunteered to send the dog tags to Mary to present to Jim, and told her, “I’m confident the Veteran who gave it to me all those years ago would have wanted me to ‘pay it forward’ for something just like this. It’s an honor to have been able to do this … I’m glad I held onto it for so many years.”

When Mary let Jim know he would be receiving replacement dog tags, he instantly burst into tears, and exclaimed, “You’ve made me so happy!”

Jim was presented with the dog tags in December, at the bi-weekly meeting of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group at the Saginaw VAMC. During the group session, he reminisced about his stay at the North Chicago VA and said how grateful he was for the care he received there all those years ago.

Gartland said, “The collaboration among staff both in and between VA facilities made this happen and makes all of us privileged to work with Veterans also so happy to be of service in our own way.”

See more pictures on the Lovell FHCC Facebook page.

Let’s Get Social

FHCC has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Below is the most popular social media post from January.

Top Post from JANUARY

Local Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

Courtesy photo provided by Jerome's daughter Rhonda.

Local World War II Navy Veteran Jerome recently celebrated his 100th birthday!

Lovell FHCC Director Dr. Robert Buckley attended Jerome’s birthday party and presented him with a certificate signed by outgoing VA Secretary, the Honorable Denis McDonough.

Jerome, who grew up in Chicago, was a Radioman 2nd Class on USS LSM-85 (Landing Ship Medium). He explained his job was to send coded messages to other ships. He said he was on the ship as it saw combat near several Pacific Islands during the war and served in the Battle of Okinawa, April to June of 1945.

Jerome was joined by several family members to celebrate on Jan. 11, two days after his Jan. 9 birthday.

Among his gifts was his favorite food -- peanut butter. Jerome had funny stories to tell at his party, including one where he and his fellow Sailors “requisitioned” a large amount of peanut butter on a clandestine mission of sorts, all in good fun.

See more on our official Facebook page.

Join the PREVENTABLE Study

Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs ranks as one of the nation's leaders in health research? Lovell FHCC is currently recruiting Veterans to participate in the PREVENTABLE Study.

The PREVENTABLE Study – which stands for PRagmatic EValuation of evENTs And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in oldEr adults – is one of the largest clinical research studies in adults 75 years or older. The goal of the study is to learn if taking a statin could help older adults live well for longer by preventing dementia, disability or heart disease. A statin is a medication commonly used to lower cholesterol.

Approximately 20,000 older adults across the nation are currently part of the study. Good candidates are 75 years or older, not taking a statin, and do not have heart disease (including heart attack or stroke history), dementia or a significant disability that limits basic everyday activities. The study follows patients for five years. There is no charge for the study drug or any study-related procedures. Study participants are compensated for their time and/or travel.

If you meet the above requirements, and would like to participate, a member of the study team will discuss the study with you and answer any questions. If you decide to proceed, you will have blood drawn and undergo a few brief memory and physical tests. Study participants are randomized and prescribed either the study drug or the placebo, one pill a day. There is one follow-up phone call a year, which takes about 30 minutes.

Visit the PREVENTABLE website for more detailed information. To enroll Lovell FHCC, contact Lead Clinical Research Coordinator/Investigator RN Teresa Todela at Teresa.todela@va.gov or 224-610-1310.

Learn about WWII Veteran Elliott Rosenberg's experience with the PREVENTABLE Study on our website.

Whole Health: Don’t Grow with the Flow: Take Control!

Are you spending your time and energy on the things that matter most to you? If you’re not, you could be missing out on living your life to the fullest. Personal development, a focus area of VA Whole Health’s Circle of Health, is all about homing in on ways you can learn and improve in different areas of your life. By taking control of your own personal development, you’ll be empowered to grow on your terms, build confidence, and lead a happier, more fulfilling life. Check out Whole Health’s Personal Development video for more information: https://youtu.be/pDXOnQaRcmE&t. Learn more on the Whole Health website.

Awards

Integrated Staff Awards Ceremony

Our January integrated staff awards ceremony recognized 15 Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Great Lakes Sailors and Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) civilian staff!

Lovell FHCC Director Dr. Robert Buckley and NMRTC Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Roe presented the awards.

Congratulations to the following Sailors and civilians!

  • Retail Services Specialist 1st Class (RS1) Curtis Brown
  • Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2) Haidee Rodriguez
  • HM3 Daysha Bledsoe
  • HN Jla Dew-Gardner
  • HN Shelby Masden
  • HM3 Andrew Yuncker
  • Mylene Apigo
  • Jaqueline Namale
  • Fatog Francis
  • Charmaine Reid-Henry
  • Anita Caraveli
  • Aji Thomas
  • Deborah Nixon
  • Megan Ballantine
  • Janet Lederman

Pharmacy Staff & FEHR Team Recognition

On Jan. 22, the Executive Director of Pharmacy Benefit Management Services Dr. Tom Emmendorfer and the Senior Advisor of the Under Secretary for Health Dr. Greg Downing presented awards and challenge coins to recognize staff who significantly contributed to the Federal Electronic Health Record deployment and sustainment at Lovell FHCC.

Congratulations to the following staff members:

  • Kurt Nurczyk
  • Isaac Morales
  • Kunal Patel
  • Sneha Prajapati
  • Maria Barrios
  • Josh Miller
  • Collins Enwerem
  • Sheeba Varughese
  • Brandon Kuffel
  • Sarah Flaherty
  • Janet Lederman
  • Donna Leslie
  • Alexandra Riskus
  • Katy Kennedy
  • Lt. Cmdr. Staci Jones
  • Amanda Oldfield
  • Xuxuan Liu
  • Suzanne Chau
  • Sean Dunne
  • Manjiri Mathew
  • Olga Bulakh
  • Nick Hurrey
  • Elizabeth Hansen
  • Andrew Jodocy
  • JP LaForte
  • Bonnie Hipolito
  • Monyca Fisher

See more photos on our official Facebook page.

Chief of Endocrinology Honored for Lifetime Achievement

Congratulations to Lovell FHCC Chief of Endocrinology Dr. Janice Gilden, who was honored for lifetime achievement at the 35th International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System in November 2024.

Dr. Gilden delivered the Dr. David Streeten Plenary lecture at the symposium. After presenting “Exploring the autonomic nervous system through an endocrine lens,” she was honored for her work in autonomic disorders and her service to the American Autonomic Society.

She said it was a distinct honor to be asked to give the lecture at the symposium.

“Dr. Streeten was a world-famous endocrinologist, who was responsible for the discovery of many important aspects of blood pressure control, including Primary Hyperaldosteronism (an important cause of hypertension), and one of the founding members of this society,” said Gilden. “He also served as one of the early presidents, when he introduced the importance of endocrinology to the field. As an endocrinologist, I was very honored to give this lecture in honor of this famous clinician and scientist.”

At Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School, Gilden is Professor of Medicine; Chief of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Division; and Program Director, Endocrinology Fellowship Training.

Gilden has been named in “Chicago Magazine” as a top-rated endocrinologist twice and once as a top doctor in Women’s Health. Congratulations, Dr. Gilden!

Learn more on our official Facebook page.

Factual Accuracy and Disclaimer:

Accuracy is important to us. If you believe an error has been made, email FHCC Communications at FHCC.Feedback@va.gov. Use of social media does not imply endorsement on the part of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Social media sites may not be available from all government servers. Posts on social media sites are not edited for accuracy and may not necessarily reflect the views of the federal government.