Don't forget to fall back at 2 .m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

The holidays can feel like a lot. Take moments for your mental health: Find a quiet spot, take a breath, and explore VA support for anxiety. Visit MentalHealth.va.gov/anxiety.

As we close out Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please join us in welcoming the Trickster Cultural Center “Stories of Healing from Domestic Violence” exhibit. It will be showcased on the first-floor Damen through Nov. 13. This also coincides with Native American Heritage Month (November). The exhibit displays Native American survivors’ journey by photographer David Tepper, a Navy Veteran. It highlights strength and healing through traditional cultural practices and storytelling. The main purpose is to raise awareness and visibility of intimate partner violence and impacts within underserved communities/native communities. For more information on domestic violence resources, please contact vhachsipvapcoordinators@va.gov.

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center launches inaugural Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program On Sept. 21, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center welcomed the first cohort of its new Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program, marking a significant milestone in the organization's commitment to developing the next generation of nursing professionals. The program is designed to support newly graduated registered nurses as they transition from the academic setting into clinical practice. Through a structured combination of mentorship, hands-on clinical experience, and ongoing professional education, the residency aims to build the confidence, competence, and critical-thinking skills that new nurses need to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.

Are you a #Veteran looking for mental health support? Visit the VA App Store on VA Mobile to explore virtual healthcare options: news.va.gov/149188/support-y….

Ever wonder what’s in your food? Checking the Nutrition Facts label is the first step to making healthier choices. Connect with a VA Dietitian to learn more! #VANutrition

Each year, the VHA National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, part of the Office of Discovery, Education, and Affiliate Networks, leads the VHA National Community Partnership Challenge and annual VHA Partnership Conference so that VHA can recognize exceptional collaborations across the country. On Sept. 16, the 2026 winners were announced. The University of Illinois Chicago Student Veterans Affairs and VA Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership were announced as winners. This partnership helps student Veterans and military-affiliated students in Illinois access VA, college, and community resources, benefits, and support needed to succeed in their academic and personal lives. Since 2022, the UIC SVA and VA VITAL partnership has connected 111 student Veterans and military-affiliated students with support, completing 143 encounters and making 200 referrals to VA, campus, and community resources. The program also reached approximately 169 faculty and staff through 13 training courses, helping expand awareness of VA benefits and simplify access to care and support. These winners show how local partnerships can expand access, improve care, and meet Veterans where they are. I encourage every facility and program office to consider how these approaches might be adapted in their own communities and to continue the impactful partnerships that help VA serve more Veterans. Congratulations to the 2026 winners and thank you to everyone for building partnerships that improve the lives of Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. To learn more about these winners, resources, and how to establish nonmonetary strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, visit VHA Partnerships or reach out to HAP at VHA_Partnerships@va.gov.

Hope has a pulse and it beats in you. The October Blood Drive takes place at Jesse Brown Thursday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the Mezzanine, second floor (hallway between Damen and Ogden buildings). Appointments preferred; walk-ins welcomed. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. To sign up, please visit tinyurl.com/42mesa8x.

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Researchers using data from VA’s Million Veteran Program found that a genetic risk model can accurately predict breast cancer risk in women Veterans, which can lead to personalized screenings based on risk. Help support research aimed at improving early detection and treatment for Veterans. Visit mvp.va.gov or call (866) 441-6075.

If you’re a Veteran and you’re soon turning 65 years old, you may have questions about your healthcare coverage options. In addition to your VA healthcare, you may be eligible for Medicare and TRICARE for Life. The right healthcare coverage depends on your specific needs.

Enrolled Veterans can now schedule VA TeleDermatology imaging appointments without first contacting their primary care team for a referral. To use this self-referral option, Veterans must be assigned to a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Call (888) 569-5282, option 4 to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Polish American Heritage Month is an annual designation observed in October. Across the globe, there are about 9.5 million Polish Americans. They represent about 3% of the American in population. In Chicago, there are almost 1 million Polish Americans.

Thank you for hosting such an amazing relaunch of the RQI program at Jesse Brown VA. I’m grateful to have been part of the event and truly appreciate the energy, preparation, and commitment brought to making the relaunch a success. We are sincerely thankful for the dedicated and passionate education team. Their positivity and excitement were truly contagious and created a positive experience for the staff. My team and I look forward to continuing to partner with you to help the RQI program thrive. As we move forward, ongoing leadership support will be an important part of sustaining momentum, promoting compliance, and strengthening accountability at the unit level. Thank you again for your dedication to making this program successful.

Depression doesn't look the same on everyone. Still depression. Still treatable. Visit MentalHealth.va.gov/depressi….

Comm Ed has a planned power outage for the building where our Chicago Heights CBOC is located, and they will be without power and unable to utilize the generator during the power outage. Comm Ed is upgrading the power capability to the building. The Chicago Heights CBOC will need to be shut down from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 9.

When you join the Million Veteran Program, your privacy comes first. We protect your personal information by removing identifying details and using advanced security measures to keep your data safe. Join more than 1 million Veterans making a difference. Visit mvp.va.gov/pwa/?utm_source=s… or call (866) 441-6075.

Comm Ed has a planned power outage for the building where Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center's Chicago Heights CBOC is located, and they will be without power and unable to utilize the generator during the power outage. Comm Ed is upgrading the power capability to the building. The Chicago Heights CBOC will need to be shut down from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 9.

Mental health care isn't separate from your VA benefits. It's one of them, and it's yours. Visit MentalHealth.va.gov to get started.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is October, and many women Veterans do not know that the cancer is preventable and the services available to them to assist with detection. The women's health program will be hosting a pop-up booth Tuesday, Oct. 13 to inform women Veterans of this cancer and available options. The pop-up booth provides: Increased awareness and education: Women Veterans gain knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and the importance of early detection. Enhanced access to resources: Women Veterans learn about VA breast health services, support networks, and specialty care options. Immediate connections can be made to case management, mental health resources, and survivorship programs. Increased engagement with VA Health Care: Booths promote trust and connection, reminding Veterans of VA’s commitment to women’s health. Booths may identify women not currently engaged with VA care, encouraging enrollment or re-engagement. Data collection and feedback: Organizers can gather feedback (anonymized or as appropriate) about barriers to screening, perceptions, and additional needs, informing future programming. Health equity: Focused engagement helps address disparities in breast cancer awareness and screening among women Veterans compared to nonVeteran populations.

Women aged 40 to 74 years are encouraged to get a mammogram every two years. Learn about breast cancer risk assessments available to you at VA at womenshealth.va.gov/topics/m….