Press Releases
2018
Homelessness Among Veterans Down Nearly 18% in Los Angeles Since 2017 and 56% Since 2010 - Homelessness Among Veterans Down Nearly 18% in Los Angeles Since 2017 and 56% Since 2010 (11/02/2018)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018 with events honoring Veterans and their families. (11/01/2018)
2018 Veterans Day Celebration - VAGLAHS is proud to honor America’s Heroes, men and women, who have proudly served our country in uniform for our freedom every day but especially this Veteran’s Day Holiday celebrating their great service to our nation. Veterans and participants can enjoy a BBQ and entertainment provided by the South Central Elks and a Car Show for all to view. (11/01/2018)
VAGLAHS hosts 4th Annual Veterans Stand Down - The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is honored to host its 4th Annual Veteran’s Stand Down from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018. (10/16/2018)
HUD and VA Announce More Housing Vouchers to Help Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the award of $35 million in rental assistance vouchers to public housing agencies (PHAs) to combat homelessness among Veterans. (10/11/2018)
Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic Location Awarded in Bakersfield, California - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Construction & Facilities Management is pleased to announce the award of a major lease in Bakersfield, CA. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is the recipient of this lease which was awarded to SASD Development Group LLC for a new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Bakersfield. (10/02/2018)
VA SAIL report shows VA medical centers improved - Using a web-based report scorecard that measures, evaluates and benchmarks quality and efficiency at its medical centers, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently released data that showed significant improvements at the majority of its health care facilities. (09/25/2018)
VAGLAHS Nursing Homes Receives 4 & 5-Star Ratings - Today the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's (VAGLAHS) Sepulveda and West Los Angeles Community Living Centers (CLC) announced that its nursing homes received a 4 and 5 star respectively as part of its annual performance rating. (06/14/2018)
Veteran Homelessness Decreases 18% in Los Angeles - 2018 PIT count reveals 18% decline in Veteran homelessness for LA County (05/31/2018)
VAGLAHS Increases Access to Care - VAGLAHS and partners roll out Urgent Care Centers in three additional communities (05/31/2018)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Exceeds Treating Hepatitis C Veterans - As of March 2018, VAGLAHS has treated 2,057 of its active hepatitis C (HCV) Veteran population with newly available, curative antiviral therapy. (05/23/2018)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Increases Access to Care - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and partners roll out Convenient Care Initiative in Kern County increasing access to care. (04/19/2018)
Safe Parking for Veterans - VAGLAHS partners with Safe Parking L.A., affording eligible homeless Veterans an opportunity to sleep safely in their vehicles on the West L.A. campus. (04/13/2018)
2017
VA, UCLA collaboration will fill gaps in existing services for vulnerable Veterans - UCLA, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System collaborate to launch new family wellness center, legal clinic and other programs for Veterans (11/22/2017)
2nd Annual Veterans Day Celebration at WLA VA Campus, Cemetery - VA West Los Angeles (WLA), along with L.A. National Cemetery (LANC) are partnering with L.A. County and other community supporters to host our 2nd Annual Veterans Day Celebration event with activities to include a formal ceremony at LANC and a resource fair, entertainment, car show and BBQ lunch held at various locations on and adjacent to the WLA campus. Join us for a day filled with fun, in celebration of our Nation’s Heroes. (11/01/2017)
VAGLAHS Hosts Third Annual Homeless-to-Housed Veterans Stand Down - For the third year in a row, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will host a Homeless-to-Housed Veterans Stand-Down event on Friday, Oct. 27 at and around Building 257, the Veterans Welcome Center. (10/23/2017)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Now a 3-Star Facility - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) has made significant progress in going from a “1 Star” to a “3 Star” rating since the last annual Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) report was released in September 2016. (10/06/2017)
VAGLAHS and Big Sunday gives a 21st Century face-lift to Veterans - The VAGLAHS and grassroots non-profit Big Sunday has coordinated efforts to update Veterans’ computer room with new computers and fresh paint. The Veterans benefitting from this donation are in-residential patients at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center Domiciliary. (07/07/2017)
54 Veterans Move into the First Permanent Supportive Housing Unit on the West LA Campus - VA Deputy Secretary Blackburn will help welcome 54 previously homeless veterans who have moved in to VAGLAHS's first units of permanent supportive housing, Building 209, on the West LA campus. (06/16/2017)
VA Greater Los Angeles System Treats More Than a Thousand Hepatitis C Veterans - As of January 2017, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System has treated almost 1700 of 3372 of its active hepatitis C (HCV) Veteran population with newly available, curative antiviral therapy. (05/22/2017)
VA Mobilizing Efforts in Los Angeles: Act Now to House Homeless Veterans - Following last week’s charge by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald for a 30-day push to house homeless Veterans across the nation, VA is leading the effort in Los Angeles to increase the number of Veterans placed in permanent housing each day. (01/01/2017)
2016
L.A. Region Community Veteran Engagement Board Adopts Charter - L.A. Region Community Veteran Engagement Board Adopts Charter. The nine-member provisional board of Los Angeles Region Community Veteran Engagement Board (LAR-CVEB) has announced the official Charter has been adopted and they are currently reaching out to the community to enlist permanent board members for election. (09/27/2016)
“Women Warrior Freedom Fest” to be hosted on West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Campus - The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Women Veteran Patient Advisory Council will host their second annual outreach event entitled “Women Warrior Freedom Fest” on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Media Room 1281 Bldg. 500 on the West LA Medical Center South Campus. This event is for the direct advocacy and empowerment of Women Veterans, Disabled Veterans and Vulnerable Veteran Populations. (09/01/2016)
SoCalGas Pipeline Safety Testing May Affect Traffic along Sepulveda in West LA - SoCalGas Pipeline Safety Testing May Affect Traffic along Sepulveda in West LA. Construction May Affect Traffic through Late August. (06/16/2016)
Clothing Drive for Culture Change - Please join us in a day to improve culture and unity among our Veterans, VA Staff and local community in a continuation of our Service to our nation. Our council is working with LA Police Chiefs and Hope in a Suitcase on behalf of LA's Foster Children. Veteran Suicide Prevention 22 Push Up Challenge is featured at our event. All donations are tax deductible, all services and clothing are free of charge. (06/01/2016)
2015
VAGLAHS participates in 2015 ARC Conference for Care Coordination during Disaster Recovery - Staff from the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will participate in the 6th Annual Advancing & Redesigning Communities for Emergency Management (ARC) Conference on December 1-3, 2015 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in San Diego, CA. VAGLAHS Senior Public Health Official and Director of the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) Dr. Aram Dobalian will discuss the impact of disasters on pre-disaster healthcare system capacity and care coordination for Veterans within and outside VA. (11/23/2015)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System hosts Veterans Day Celebration - The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) Voluntary Services Department will be hosting a Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 7, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (10/30/2015)
VAGLAHS hosts Homeless-to-Housed Veterans Stand-Down Event - VAGLAHS hosts Homeless-to-Housed Veterans Stand-Down Event starting at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, and ending at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. The event will be held at building 257, the new Veteran's Welcome Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073 (North Campus). (10/28/2015)
VA Announces Contract Awards for Outreach and Housing - The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System announced contract awards for homeless Veterans outreach and emergency housing to the People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and New Directions for Veterans organizations. (09/30/2015)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Staff Provided Services to Skid Row Veterans - Last week the community and the leadership and staff of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) were on hand to welcome and provide services to Veterans from Los Angeles skid row. Over 30 veterans were engaged by the outreach effort and 25 agreed to come to the VA for additional housing and supportive services. (09/28/2015)
VA Holds Sepulveda Homeless Veteran Town Hall Event - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will be holding a Town Hall event on Thursday, July 23, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Recreation Hall (building 22) at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center. The Town Hall event provides an opportunity for VAGLAHS to engage Veteran stakeholders in a collaborative way and identify challenges, improve operations and build trust among Veteran patients, their families and the community. (07/17/2015)
VA Begins "Summer of Service" to Bolster Volunteer Assistance for Veterans - The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is renewing its commitment to Veterans by inviting the community to visit and explore opportunities to serve Veterans during an open house on 1 July from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center, Building 500, Room 1281. (06/24/2015)
VA Holds West Los Angeles Urban Master Plan Contractor Community Kick Off - VA holds West Los Angeles urban master plan contractor community kick off. Town hall meeting set to introduce the HOK/Walsh/Core Team to VA Greater Los Angeles Stakeholders. (06/17/2015)
VA Selects Urban Planner to Help Develop New Master Plan for West LA Campus - Efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to revitalize the West LA VA campus into a vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable community for Veterans has taken another key step forward. On June 8, 2015, a team comprised of HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, Walsh Group, and Core Companies, was selected to assist VA and the community in developing a new Master Plan for the West LA VA Campus. HOK has extensive global experience with strategic medical campus and facility planning projects. Their work includes projects in Southern California over the past 30 years, including involvement in a recent project at VA Long Beach Healthcare System. (06/11/2015)
VA Opens Homeless Housing Project on West LA Campus - Veterans are moving into a new housing unit on the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center campus (WLA) as VA opens a new compensated work therapy and transitional residence housing unit for chronically homeless veterans. Secretary Bob McDonald and officials from the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System welcome Veterans to Building 209 with a Grand Opening and Ribbon-cutting ceremony. (06/04/2015)
VA Announces New Grants to Help End Veteran Homelessness - VA Initiative Targets about 15,000 Homeless and At-Risk Veterans and Families in Los Angeles County High-Need Communities. (04/01/2015)
VA Clinics Host Open House for Veterans - VA Clinics Host Open House where Veterans can learn about health care, benefits and meet with employers for job opportunities. (03/27/2015)
2014
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Director to Retire - LONG BEACH, CA — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that Donna Beiter, Director of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will retire effective December 31, 2014. Ms. Beiter has overseen the delivery of health care to more than 88,000 Veterans and an operating budget of $915 million as Director for the past six years. (12/08/2014)
Advancing and Redefining Communities for Emergency Management - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is scheduled to participate in the 5th Annual Advancing & Redefining Communities (ARC) for Emergency Management conference on Dec. 10-11 at The California Endowment (TCE) in Los Angeles. VAGLAHS Senior Public Health Official Aram Dobalian is VA’s special guest for this event; and VHA Office of Nursing Services Donna Gage is scheduled to participate in the workshop on advancing the role of nurses in public health preparedness and response on Dec. 9 at TCE. (12/04/2014)
VA Los Angeles Celebrates Veterans Day - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) in partnership with Greater Los Angeles Fisher House Foundation (GLAFHF) hosts the third annual Day for Heroes event on Nov. 8 with a double feature film featuring The Amazing Spider Man 2 and Transformers – Age of Extinction along with a free BBQ in honor of Veterans Day. The celebrations are held in Los Angeles at the VAGLAHS’ West LA Medical Center (WLA) located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd., at the Wadsworth Theatre and Rose Garden. (10/08/2014)
Integrated Community Care Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on 29 Aug. from 10 a.m. to Noon for the new Integrated Community Care Center (ICCC) Veteran homeless program located on the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center Campus. (08/20/2014)
Veteran Patients Learn To Ride Some Waves This Summer - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) and Team Red White and Blue will be holding the second annual Waves of Valor Surf Camp for Veterans. The aim of Waves of Valor is to assist Veteran patients in their reintegration into society through team building and social interaction. (06/17/2014)
5th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and Job Fair - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in partnership with various Los Angeles (LA) Law Enforcement agencies will be hosting its 5th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and Job Fair on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in support of Veterans, local Law Enforcement Agencies and community. (05/08/2014)
D-Day Veteran Retires as Longtime Volunteer at VA Santa Barbara Clinic - Santa Barbara resident Art Petersen retires after two decades of volunteering for the VA Santa Barbara clinic on Jan 10. Petersen, a World War II Veteran who dropped into Normandy on D-Day, will be honored by the VA staff for his service. (01/10/2014)
2013
Holiday Wreaths Honor Veterans at Los Angeles National Cemetery - Volunteers placed holiday wreaths to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Los Angeles National Cemetery today. The Civil Air Patrol organizes the wreath-laying ceremonies with assistance from local citizens and Veterans service organizations as a part of Wreaths Across America. All 131 VA national cemeteries receive at least seven wreaths, one for each service branch, one for the Merchant Marine and one for Prisoners of War and those Missing In Action (POW/MIA). (12/14/2013)
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Celebrates Veterans Day Weekend - In honor of Veterans Day, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in partnership with Greater Los Angeles Fisher House Foundation hosted the 2nd Annual Day for Heroes free BBQ & concert featuring Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray. (11/13/2013)
VA Los Angeles Honors Veterans Day - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) in partnership with Greater Los Angeles Fisher House Foundation (GLAFHF) hosts the second annual Day for Heroes free BBQ and concert featuring Sugar Ray in honor of Veterans Day. Veterans, military members and families are invited to this free event on Nov. 9 at the Wadsworth Theatre on the West Los Angeles VA (WLA) campus. (10/31/2013)
Santa Maria VA Clinic Hosts Open House and Job Resource Fair for Veterans - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLA) is hosting an open house for Veterans at the Santa Maria Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on 8 Aug. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans and family members can receive information about VA programs, local job opportunities and healthcare enrollment. (07/29/2013)
San Luis Obispo County Begins Veterans Court - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLA) in collaboration with San Luis Obispo County (SLO) Courts begin Veterans Treatment Court on June 14. The SLO County Veterans Treatment Court offers injured Veterans who have non-violent offenses, an opportunity to receive treatment in lieu of imprisonment under the condition they take responsibility for their actions and safely transition back to a peaceful, functional and healthy civilian life. (06/14/2013)
Groundbreaking on VA Project Benefiting LA Homeless Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for Building 209 at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s West Los Angeles Medical Center (WLA) campus on Jan. 25 at 1:00 p.m. Once renovation is completed, Building 209 will serve as a therapeutic and supportive residence for chronically homeless Veterans. (01/23/2013)
All media inquiries and requests for interviews should be sent to vhawlapas@va.gov or call 310-268-3340.
