On January 01, 2010- my son was admitted to Tripler Army Medical Center for emergency surgery. that went well and they scheduled a follow up at the VA Medical Center the next week. The following week I took him to the Spark Matsunaga (former Senator of Hawaii) Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (located on Tripler Army Medical Center grounds) for a follow up appointment.
He was seen immediately and though he had more tests to do I was amazed at how well they take care of their Veterans. This was the first time he had been there since his honorable discharge in 2006 and he now knows what's available.
With The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Honolulu serving approximately 127,600 veterans in Hawaii AND the Pacific Islands I commend the work all personnel in our VA Hospital do to help the Veterans of the Armed Forces.
Should you need additonal information on the hospital and their services:
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (phone: 433-0600)
Health Care Patient Advocates : The Patient Advocate is located at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center and serves as a liaison between patients and staff when a Service issue cannot be resolved. The Patient Advocate is Barbara Morgan and she may be reached by calling (808) 433-0126. Her office is located at: 459 Patterson Road, Ambulatory Care Center, Room 1B08
National Headquarters Info for Hawaii Office of Veterans Services:
459 Patterson Road
E-Wing, Room 1-A103
Honolulu, HI 96819-1522
(808) 433-0420
(808) 433-0385 fax
Other Helpful Links:
- Other VA Facilities on Oahu
- Old Timer Speaks Out (Veteran's Blog)
- State of Hawaii - Office of Veteran's Services
- VETERANS CEMETERIES on Oahu
- Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka- Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- National Coalition for Homeless Vets in Hawaii
- Congresswoman Maizie K. Hirono -Military and Veterans
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Remember: If you are a Disabled Veteran (30% or more) and have a service related disability ...you are exempt from the VA Loan Funding Fee when using your VA Benefits for a Hawaii Home Loan. Contact me for more details.
Hi Sally....it always good to hear good news after a medical emergency. I Hope all continues to go well on his road to recovery.
In times like that being able to have your loved one well cared for is a true blessing. Great Localism post and links, Sally.
thanks Fred...he's recuperated quite quickly ...back in college and even helped my daughter with some stuff yesterday. One thing I wanted to put across here is that our VA Medical Center has so MANY vets coming in and out but I watched as each and every one of them were attended to.
Sally- I hope your son is well and returns to full health soon. He is in my prayers.
Only in Hawaii! I am so glad to hear someone somewhere taking good care of our vets. In the rest of the country, most places, it leaves much to be desired. My dentist is appalled at how the military dentists ruined my teeth when I was younger. We have to replace all of my fillings one by one, and I had 8 of them when I was young:(
I was also going to say- it even looks like a nice building! I have seen and been to very dilapidated VA hospitals.
Sally, I had a client that we sold a home to a couple of years ago call me from a VA hospital. He had surgery and couldn't get a hold of the people who were to take him home. He had kept my business card in his wallet and thought to call me. I was honored that he felt close enough to call about a personal matter. I was also surprised he still had my business card. lol Hope you son has a speedy recovery!
Steve
thinking of your family, best wishes!
Sally,
I've heard only good news around here about the way that veterans are treated at our medical facilities.
Sally, I'm so glad your son got the best of care. There were a handful of Veteran's hospitals here that had a failing grade and they are being looked into. Yours seems to be top-notch which is what they ALL should be!
Sally it is great to hear stories like this, because all to often it is the opposite that we hear about VA Hospitals.
George: I had to see first hand to believe it....and boy was I impressed!
Carole: It better be for the amount of veterans it services in the Pacific!
Judi: Same here.
thanks Scott.
Steve: Now THAT is the kind of calls I love. It sure shows the kind of person you are by the phone calls received!
Katerina: Oh, goodness....I know the vets here must be very appreciative.
Lee/Carol: Thanks...it does help to have a localism view to show the consumer what else they can expect from our area.
Sally - ALL our VA hospitals should be top notch. My dad is a WWII veteran, but I wouldn't let him go to a VA hospital in our area, the care isn't good and the buildings are in disrepair. Glad to hear they got it right in Hawaii and that your son is on the mend. You must feel so relieved.
Sally- Indeed, I agree with Gail that ALL of our VA hospitals should be top notch! We have a large VA hospital here in Pinellas County too!