Rose Lee Archer, Producer & Host of the Rose Lee Archer Show i TV Visits VA Medical Center to Discover Supportive Medical Care Offered to Returning Vets

As America’s Women’s Resource Specialist, Rose Lee met with West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Director, Edward Seiler, to discuss the process soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom follow after they are discharged from Bethesda or Walter Reed Hospital. Seiler explains their referral process to VA Hospitals as well as the referral process for Reservists and National Guards who are demobilized and go directly to their local VA Medical Center for medical care.

(PRWEB) June 24, 2006 -- As America’s Women’s Resource Specialist, Rose Lee met with West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Director, Edward Seiler, to discuss the process soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom follow after they are discharged from Bethesda or Walter Reed Hospital. Seiler explains their referral process to VA Hospitals as well as the referral process for Reservists and National Guards who are demobilized and go directly to their local VA Medical Center for medical care.

Rose Lee Archer produced this episode in honor of the men and women who are returning from the war on terrorism with a wide array of serious injuries including multiple limb loss and traumatic brain injury. She was invited to experience the State of the Art medical resources available to our returning veterans and pre-existing veterans at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The focus of her visit was to communicate the benefits of the Seamless Transition Program, a national program designed to meet the needs of those soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The goal of Seamless Transition is to ensure that these returning service members receive the highest quality health care in a timely manner. The multi-system network of care depends on a correlated partnership of agencies including The Department of Defense, the health care arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Counseling Centers and regional and local community providers to best meet the unique needs of this new generation of veterans.

Rose Lee featured Mr. Edward Seiler, the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Director, who clearly defined the Seamless Transition process for returning veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom who will ultimately receive medical care within the VA System. There are 1248 VA facilities nationwide addressing the needs of veterans in the Seamless Transition Program. Seiler explained that injured soldiers are discharged from The Department of Defense and transition to the Department of Veterans Affairs, where they change their status from soldiers to veterans. Soldiers receiving medical care at Walter Reed or Bethesda Hospital would be discharged from those facilities and through the efforts of the Seamless Transition Program, transition to The Department of Veterans Affairs where they will be assigned to a medical center to receive care, close to their home. Seiler said, “each OIF/OEF patient would have undergone a referral process with various points of contact and case managers who help determine their health care needs, assign them to specific VA medical centers, and answer any questions they may have prior to reporting to the VA for medical care. In addition, injured service members from the Reservists and National Guard are demobilized and sent directly to VA medical centers close to home.”

Seiler, noted around 12% of total active duty members are female. The Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized the growing number of women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of their combat duty. The growing number of VA patients has led to the expansion of its mental health programs, to meet the needs of women with PTSD. The VA also expanded the general medical services it provides to women through its existing Women’s Health Program.

The major treatment areas providing care to OEF/OIFs at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center include: diagnostic testing, Primary Care, Mental Health, Orthotics/Rehab, Dental and Women's Health.

Rose Lee discovered the State of the Art Prosthetic Services offered at the VA Medical Center and discussed on camera the different medical needs addressed in the Orthotic Lab with David Sagar, a Certified Prosthetist & Orthotist. Sagar demonstrated the different types of prostheses that may be used by our returning veterans who have suffered traumatic limb loss. David invited Nancy Peters, Prosthetic Staff Representative and People with Disabilities Program Manager who is a disabled Navy Veteran and amputee, to share her experiences as an amputee. Peters demonstrated how easy it is to remove and put on her prosthesis. Peters said, “it's like putting your slippers on when you wake up in the morning; it’s just another part of your daily hygiene and personal care.”    Sagar and his team of medical experts see approximately 50 veterans a day in the Orthotics Lab and on average they care for 12,672 veterans a year.

For more information about the VA Medical Centers go to www.va.gov.

Rose Lee's journalistic talents were honored with the "2005 Small Business Journalist of the Year Award." As an independent television producer and national disability advocate she works on and off camera to expand the message of the resources available to returning veterans with disabilities. Rose Lee reminds her viewers that women are entering nontraditional positions in our society. Though, one thing remains the same decade after decade…women are the nurturers of society.

Rose Lee Archer, Producer & Host of the Rose Lee Archer Show on i TV and can be reached at 561-241-7987 or visit www.roseleearchershow.com

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