This past holiday weekend, the sparkle in some veterans' eyes didn't come from fireworks, but rather a visit from presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona.
After attending service at North Phoenix Baptist Church, the senator and his wife Cindy visited with patients and staff at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The senator was greeted by Medical Center Director Donald Moore R.Ph., MBA, and Chief of Staff Raymond Chung, M.D. Together the two VA officials escorted the senator and his wife into the Ambulatory Care Clinic and up to the fourth floor for a visit with veterans.
Along the way, the senator asked staff about pressing needs for veterans. "One of the biggest issues we have here in Phoenix is the lack of space that we have to serve our growing veteran population," Moore told him. "We have a three-story tower in the construction request process. With that addition, we hope to add new operating rooms, a new emergency department and additional space for mental health clinics."
When asked what the second greatest need was, Dr. Chung said, "Our partnership with the new medical school in Phoenix is probably our second greatest need on the horizon." Dr. Chung went on to compliment the wisdom of General Omar Bradley, who after World War II initiated the affiliations between VA and medical schools across the country. "As we work with the new medical school here, we need to ensure a strong affiliation to continue to enhance patient care," he added.
The senator visited with patients on ward 4C, which is VA's newest remodeled ward. The 25-bed Progressive Care/Telemetry Unit features a new telemonitoring system that lets nurses keep a close watch on cardiac and other patients. These patients may no longer need intensive care, but are not yet stable enough for a general medical or surgical care unit. Thus, the availability of such a high level of care outside of the medical center's intensive care unit (ICU) makes more ICU beds available during winter months, when demand is highest during influenza season and when winter visitors are here.
The senator and his wife posed for photographs with staff and exchanged heartwarming stories about friends and relatives who are currently serving in the Armed Forces.
Senator and Mrs. McCain also visited with patients in the VA's Community Living Center, a nursing home care unit. There, they met with World War II Pearl Harbor Veteran Ranald Ferguson and Navajo Code Talker Edward Anderson, as well as several other patients. They visited the "Dugout" where the nursing home patients play Wii, work on crossword puzzles, watch TV and participate in other recreational activities, which also provide therapeutic benefits to these veterans.
Prior to leaving the hospital, the senator and his wife posed for a photograph with the VA Police Officers who had diligently worked with the Secret Service to ensure a safe visit.
After seeing the patient smiles and sparkles in their eyes, one could say that VA patients and staff were delighted to have the opportunity to meet with one of their own, US Navy veteran, senator and presidential hopeful John McCain.
Story credit: Paula L. Pedene APR, VA Public Affairs Officer
# # #
Plug-In Notice:
Some documents on this web page require a separate plug-in application in order to view and print. The icon(s) listed below when placed next to a link in a web page indicates a plug-in is required and what type of plug-in is needed. Clicking the icons or links listed below will take you to a page from which you can download and install all plug-ins.
Word Document Format