Women Veterans: We’re Here for You
The start of a new year often presents a chance to begin anew, but within the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, 2023 offers opportunities to build on a legacy of service to women Veterans.
“This year is the 100th anniversary of women Veterans receiving healthcare through VA,” said Women Veteran Program Manager Donna Sherman. “Every woman who has worn the uniform is a trailblazer. The best way to recognize the service and sacrifice of women Veterans is to provide them with the world-class healthcare they have earned.”
Sherman is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with women Veterans in various capacities for 15 years, giving her the chance to familiarize herself with the needs of this unique population. She feels a calling to champion efforts on their behalf that raise awareness about, and celebrate, women service members across every branch.
“This year’s theme, Women Veterans: We’re Here for You, speaks to our commitment to serve women Veterans well and honor their legacy of service to our Nation in the process,” continued Sherman. “I often tell women Veterans ‘You belong at VA, and we will continue to work with you to make you feel comfortable and safe in our facilities’.”
Sherman stated that Florida is the state with the third highest number of women Veterans, and nearly 11,000 of them receive their health care from Bay Pines VA. Her hope is for that number to continue to grow.
“I want to see more women Veterans take advantage of their VA benefits because they will not receive better healthcare and support than what VA offers,” added Sherman. “As a woman, I know how personal our health care journeys are, and that’s why the Bay Pines VA’s Women Veteran Program works alongside patient aligned care teams, maternity care coordinators, women’s mental health champions, women’s health medical doctors, and LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators, to ensure women Veterans get the very best experience every time they enter one of our facilities.”
When women Veterans receive care across VA, they can choose the gender of their provider for both primary and specialty care, and specify preferences for the gender of any provider referrals outside of VA. To learn more about the full spectrum of comprehensive health care services and resources available to women Veterans enrolled through VA, visit WomensHealth.va.gov.
The following additional resources can help women Veterans understand the women’s health benefits and services offered by VA:
- VA Women’s Health – Eligibility and Enrollment and How to Apply: These webpages include information to help Veterans through the enrollment and application process.
- She Wears the Boots Podcast: Podcast series with episodes on VA’s services with a special focus on women Veterans. Episodes discuss women’s health services like infertility, menopause symptom relief, mammography, and more.
- Choose VA: Getting Started with Women Veterans Health Services: This two-page handout outlines every step of the application and enrollment process. It also answers some frequently asked questions and overviews health care services for women Veterans.
- VA Women’s Health: Patient Brochure Series: Refreshed patient brochure series on key health services for women Veterans. Topics include Healthy Aging, Infertility Services, General Services, and more. You will find the brochures under Printable Materials.
- VA Women’s Health – Website: Women’s Health’s refreshed website with up-to-date information regarding health care services for women Veterans.
- VA Women’s Health – Eligibility and Enrollment Handout: A handout correcting common misconceptions about eligibility criteria at VA and outlining key resources for women Veterans.
- VA Women’s Health Re-engagement Training: An online training course for women Veterans looking to connect with VA and their benefits.