Minutes of Chapter Meeting

Saturday, July 18, 2009

16:00-18:00

Brehm Preparatory School, Carbondale, Illinois

 

In attendance: 28 persons

 

 Elise Ashby;  Jim, Chris, and Carol Priddy;

Bill and Carole Berry;   Robert Pulliam;

Bob and Anna Bordenave;  James Quaid;

David Conrad;  Judith Rawls;

 Frank and Margaret Hayes;  Sunantha Simmons;

 Joe and Norma Hocevar;   Walter, Diann, and Katie Tomczak;

 Dale Holloman;  Robert Waldron;

 John Mingo;  David and Elizabeth Wiggs;

 Ed  and Susie Phillips;  Ralph Woehrmann

               

 

 

Guest Speaker: Marion VA Medical Center Director, Warren Hill, has informed members of the changes at the hospital which provides services to Southern Illinois, Southwestern Indiana and Western Kentucky. Health care facility includes nursing home, general medicine and surgical, behavioral medicine, primary care, satellite outpatient clinic in Indiana, and community-based outpatient clinics in Effingham and Mt.Vernon, IL; Hanson, Owensboro, Mayfield, and Paducah, Kentucky.  Carbondale and Harrisburg will be included next year. Chester is being reviewed.

 

VA is academically and medically affiliated with St. Louis University, Southern Illinois University, and John A. Logan College. Services offered to veterans and family are ancillary care, extended care, inpatient care, specialty care, pharmacy, lab, and telephone care to answer health questions. The hospital focuses on behavioral medicine program by increasing the number of its psychiatrists and social workers to help patients adjust and integrate into the community. Telemental health video conference is available for patients to talk with psychiatrists. The hospital also emphasizes staff competency.

 

Home-based primary care program was initiated at the end of March 2009 in Marion and will eventually extend to other counties. Physicians, therapists, and nurses visit patients at their home. Family members are also trained as caregivers.

 

This year Congress has provided addition funds and allowed Priority Group 8, whose income must not exceed 10% of VA means test and geographical means test thresholds, to receive medical care.  However, co-payment is required for nonservice-connected conditions.

 

Community reachout: VA has invited public, on a quarterly basis, to take a tour of the hospital. The next tour is on September 11, 2009.

 

 

Guests attending the meeting: Frank and Margaret Hayes; Ed and Susie Phillips; Jim, Chris and Carol Priddy; James Quaid; and Il CoC Chaplain Ralph Woehrmann,

 

 

Veteran of the Month: George Hagans was selected as the Veteran of the Month for August. The award will be presented at the DuQuoin State Fair Grounds on 30 August at 2 pm.

 

Cemetery in Marion: City Mayor was very receptive of the idea and will work out details. This is a Chapter project to take care of cemetery of early settlers and warriors.

 

 

The next Chapter meeting will be at Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Park. A minimum of 30 attendees are required and there are presently 23 signed up for the game. All reservation must be made with David Wiggs, 985-3389 no later than August 6 because confirmation of attendee numbers and one half of the required funds are required by Aug 7.

 

Members thanked Claudia Glasnovich and Kevin Morris for their meal preparation.

 

Next board meeting will be announced at a later date.