Dental Care for Rural Veterans

Dental Care for Rural Veterans

In America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 396, Dr. Annaliese Cothron joins us to discuss the disparities that rural Veterans experience. Dr. Cothron is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of American Institute of Dental Public Health, as well as a manager of the Program Fund Development and overall strategy of AIDPH.

There is a higher rate of suicide in rural VA users (33%) than urban VA users (29%). 

“Rural Veterans are less likely to self-report in some ways, like having poor mental health days,” Cothron explained. “But we also know that rural Veterans are pretty vocal about saying ‘yeah we want access to care and we want it in a way that makes sense for our lifestyle, where it’s convenient, where it’s co-located, where we can go and experience a holistic form of healthcare.’”

The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) was created in 2015 to promote and disseminate evidence-based health promotion practices to advanced education students and practitioners in dental public health. AIDPH serves as a platform for creative programming that centers health equity as a cornerstone of oral health education and training.

America’s Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly. 

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

Veterans Supporting Veterans

Veterans Supporting Veterans

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 395, focuses on peer support services and groups in the VA healthcare system. We are joined by Sonya Ebhotemen, who is a US Marine Corps Veteran and Lead Peer Specialist at Hines VA Medical Center working in patient experience.

“It’s kind of like the buddy system in the military,” said Ebhotemen. “We are able to get Veterans, who are new to the VA, to the right resources they need and also utilize our own recovery journey to help connect them to services in the VA or in communities of their choice.”

VA Hines Healthcare System’s mission is to offer options to timely, quality services for Veterans through care and respect for one’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health.

America’s Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

Bill extends Benefits to Black WWII Veterans

Congressional Bill Introduced to Extend Benefits to Black WWII Veterans

In America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 394, we address the exclusion of Black Veterans from the G.I. Bill and discuss a new bill that has been introduced in Congress to remedy the issue. Stephanie Kalota joins us as a US Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Veteran and the Founder/Creator of Veteran Legislative Voice.

“After World War 2, Black Veterans were more likely to be dishonorably discharged,”  Kalota explained. “39% of all Black soldiers were dishonorably discharged in comparison to 21% of White soldiers.”

The Veteran Legislative Voice (VLV) is a page to help veterans, spouses and patriotic Americans exercise their 1st amendment rights in contacting their government and voice their opinions about issues affecting our military service members.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

Successful Reintegration for Justice Involved Veterans

Successful Reintegration for Justice Involved Veterans

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 392, discusses the benefits available for homeless and justice involved Veterans. Joining us is Kevin Hull, a US Navy Medic Veteran and Chicago Regional Office Homeless Veterans and Justice Involved Outreach Coordinator.

“It’s important for us to be able to regularly go out and engage with this Veteran population through outreach by going into the jails to facilitate access to [Veteran Justice and Healthcare Reentry Programs] services at the earliest possible point,” Hull explained.

VA Chicago Healthcare System’s mission is to offer options to timely, quality services for Veterans through care and respect for one’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

iscusses the efforts being put forth to reach anybody who has been underrepresented or underserved in America.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 375, discusses the efforts being put forth to reach anybody who has been underrepresented or underserved in America. We are joined by Erin Hanrahan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program Coordinator.

“Our theme this year is building relationship health and safety for life,” explained Hanrahan. “And our mission is to provide comprehensive, person-centered, recovery-oriented programming.”

The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is committed to helping Veterans, their partners, and VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV – help is available.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

 Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

e are talking about being discharged from the military and the benefits available to those who have been discharged.

The Next Steps After Being Discharged

On America’s Heroes Group podcast episode 372, we are talking about being discharged from the military and the benefits available to those who have been discharged. Joining us is Tracy Kukla-Lewis, the Chicago Regional Office Training Manager who oversees training compliance.

When discussing how the VA can help those who had a less than honorable discharge, Kukla-Lewis explained, “We can find them honorable for VA purposes only, then they will be entitled to VA compensation benefits and VA healthcare.”

The Chicago Regional Office and Veterans Benefits help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more. Join an event for conversation and information.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

November ep. 371

Breast Cancer Awareness and Issues We Are Seeing Today

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 371, focuses on breast cancer awareness. We are joined by Dr. Sarada Deshpande, a board certified internist who has been the Women’s Health Medical Director at JBVA since 2013.

“Getting diagnosed very early on is important,” Dr. Deshpande explained. “A lot of patients during the pandemic have not gotten their screening mammograms.”

VA Chicago Healthcare System’s mission is to offer options to timely, quality services for Veterans through care and respect for one’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

Serving the Underrepresented Population in America

Serving the Underrepresented Population in America

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 382, discusses the efforts being put forth to reach anybody who has been underrepresented or underserved in America. Joining us is Julian Purdy, Chief of Staff of Veterans’ Employment and Training Service in the U.S Department of Labor.

“My grandfather told me a story of when he was stationed at Fort Huachuca,” Purdy said. “He mentioned that he was not allowed to live on the main post itself. He and the other African American soldiers had to make a camp outside of the post while the other officers that enlisted were able to live in hard buildings on the actual base itself.”

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service prepares America’s Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses for meaningful careers, provides them with employment resources and expertise, protects their employment rights, and promotes their employment opportunities.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

 Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or our Facebook page.

Addiction Recovery and Helping Others

Addiction Recovery and Helping Others

In America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 364, Kevin Rumley shares his story about his battle with addiction. Kevin Rumley is a US Marine Corps Purple Heart Recipient, Combat Veteran, and Program Director for the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court in Asheville, North Carolina.

“I lost everything and everyone I love because of my addiction,” Rumley recalled. “One day at a time, here I am 11 years later, and I have a renewed sense of hope and a renewed sense of purpose. A big part of that is giving back to the Veterans that are struggling like I was when I first got out.”

The Veterans Treatment Court utilizes a non-adversarial, team approach to providing services and support to veterans facing felony charges. This treatment modality strives to prevent recidivism and promote accountability and recovery by diverting participants through a multi-phase recovery/treatment program.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

 

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or on our Facebook page.

U.S. Nurse Suicide Rates are Rising

U.S. Nurse Suicide Rates are Rising

America’s Heroes Group podcast, episode 362, covers the rising nurses’ suicide rate in the U.S. Adelena Marshall, a VA Mental Health RN, joins us along with Carolina Stewart, nurse and CNL employed at the VA hospital.

“The majority of this seems to come from the burnout within the healthcare organizations,” Stewart explained. “The nurses tirelessly give their all to care for our Veterans and not necessarily having all of the resources or support that we need.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs strives to provide Veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned—and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.

America Heroes Group’s mission is to honor and respect the relentless commitment, ultimate sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our retired Veterans and Active Service members thereby empowering and transforming their lives as they age in place and reacclimate back into society through identifying and positioning local and national communities as military friendly.

Listen to America’s Heroes Group Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora. Or, tune in live every Saturday from 4-6 pm CST on iHeartRadio or on our Facebook page.