Prevent Flu - Get Vaccinated Today! Attention Veterans in the DC area: Your DC VAMC Atrium Flu Shot Clinic is now open, making it easy and convenient to protect yourself and others from getting flu. Get your free flu shot today. No appointment is needed, just visit the walk-in clinic centrally located in the main Atrium at the medical center in DC or request your flu shot during a primary care visit. Use the online VA locator to choose a VA clinic or in-network provider near you, visit va.gov/find-locations. Be sure to take your VA ID card and provide the following billing information: BIN-004336, PCN: ADV, RX Group: RX3839.

Throughout the year, the DC VA Medical Center's Social Workers and Veteran Peer Support team members are committed to outreach- walking, driving and moving through community trenches to identify and support unhoused Veterans and those at-risk. If you are or have come in contact with a Veteran in need of housing or resources, please utilize the appropriate contacts offered here. No Veteran who desires housing should be left without support and resources. Therefore, the DC VAMC Community Resource and Referral Team is seeking your assistance. If you know or have contact with a Veteran in need of housing, please contact the CRRC team, 202-745-3012, or assist them in reaching us at 1500 Franklin Street, NE in Washington, DC. Your partnership helps us to further care for all Veterans, providing them with the safe, quality care they deserve.

Your DC VAMC team is committed to offering Veterans an excellent care experience- from the entrance to the final point of service. Joining us in the effort are DC Public School student-volunteers, serving coffee and light snacks in our medical center Atrium. We appreciate your partnership, your time, and your commitment to caring for Veterans. Much appreciation to our Center for Development and Civic Engagement Team as well as our donor for making this enhanced patient experience opportunity! To learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, please contact the CDCE (formerly known as Voluntary Service) team, 202-745-8000.

Prevent Flu - Get Vaccinated Today! Attention Veterans in the DC area: Your DC VAMC Atrium Flu Shot Clinic is now open, making it easy and convenient to protect yourself and others from getting flu. Get your free flu shot today. No appointment is needed, just visit the walk-in clinic centrally located in the main Atrium at the medical center in DC or request your flu shot during a primary care visit. Use the online VA locator to choose a VA clinic or in-network provider near you, visit va.gov/find-locations. Be sure to take your VA ID card and provide the following billing information: BIN-004336, PCN: ADV, RX Group: RX3839.

During International Infection Prevention Week, October 19-25, 2026, your DC VAMC team is honoring the history and work of our multidisciplinary Infection Control and Infectious Diseases Teams as well as Infection Preventionists who are committed preventing infection within our facilities. Thank you, team, for your dedication to providing Veterans with safe, quality care and protecting the entire team. #InfectionPreventionWeek

Prevent Flu - Get Vaccinated Today! Attention Veterans in the DC area: Your DC VAMC Atrium Flu Shot Clinic is now open, making it easy and convenient to protect yourself and others from getting flu. Get your free flu shot today. No appointment is needed, just visit the walk-in clinic centrally located in the main Atrium at the medical center in DC or request your flu shot during a primary care visit. Use the online VA locator to choose a VA clinic or in-network provider near you, visit va.gov/find-locations. Be sure to take your VA ID card and provide the following billing information: BIN-004336, PCN: ADV, RX Group: RX3839.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this year's theme is a National Call for Unity: With Survivors, Always. Your DC VA Medical Center offers an Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program which is coordinated by Ms. Danielle Cooper. During October, the program coordinator is drawing awareness to VA services and support opportunities for Veterans, their partners, and VA staff. VA offers a variety of services which focus on safety, well-being, and healthy relationships. VA offers education, consultation, assessment, safety planning, supportive counseling, referrals, and connections to VA and community resources. Speak with your VA provider for a referral to the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, if you are experiencing physical or sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression, threats, intimidation or controlling behaviors by a current or former partner. You may also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: call, 1-800-799-7233, text "START" to 88788, or online chat at thehotline.org. Your DC VAMC Team stands with you. #DomesticViolenceAwareness #IntimatePartnerViolence

Women's Health Breast Cancer Support Group Resource Day, Oct. 30 Plan to attend: Your DC VAMC Women's Health Team is hosting a special Resource Day event curated to support, empower, and connect breast cancer survivors with VA health care services, vendors and community resources. The event is being held, Friday, October 30, 2026, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., at the DC VA Medical Center, Teaching Kitchen in Room 1C-101, 50 Irving Street, NW. By participating, Veterans and caregivers will have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with VA providers and vendors, learn about supportive services, receive lunch and a swag bag. Mark your calendar and join the event. For more information, contact DC VAMC Women's Health, 202-745-8582, reference the Breast Cancer Support Group Resource Day event.

Prevent Flu - Get Vaccinated Today! Attention Veterans in the DC area: Your DC VAMC Atrium Flu Shot Clinic is now open, making it easy and convenient to protect yourself and others from getting flu. Get your free flu shot today. No appointment is needed, just visit the walk-in clinic centrally located in the main Atrium at the medical center in DC or request your flu shot during a primary care visit. Use the online VA locator to choose a VA clinic or in-network provider near you, visit va.gov/find-locations. Be sure to take your VA ID card and provide the following billing information: BIN-004336, PCN: ADV, RX Group: RX3839.

National Pharmacy Week, October 18 -24, 2026 Join your DC VAMC team in recognizing and appreciating pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for their vital contributions to Veteran healthcare. Thank you, team DC VAMC for managing patient medications across primary care, mental health, cardiology, geriatrics, pain management and other clinics. Your 24/7 coverage of inpatient and outpatient prescription services and academic detailing for evidence-based treatments demonstrate your commitment to caring for Veterans and serving the VA mission! #PharmacyWeek

Sterile Processing: Where Precision Meets Patient Safety During Sterile Processing Week, October 11-17, 2026, please join your DC VAMC team in recognizing and appreciating the sterile processing specialists who are committed to decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing surgical instruments and medical devices. Thank you, team DC VAMC for your critical contributions to patient safety! #SterileProcessingWeek

Veterans Benefits & Medicare - Are you a Veteran turning 65? If so, know that VA healthcare, Medicare, and TRICARE for Life can all work together, and the right mix depends on your individual needs. What you need to know as you approach 65: Timing matters. Your Medicare enrollment window runs from 3 months before to 3 months after the month you turn 65. Missing it can mean a lifelong penalty on your Part B premium. If you have missed yours, ask Social Security about a Special or General Enrollment Period. To check Medicare timing, call 1-800-772-1213 VA is its own system. There is no enrollment fee for all Veterans, and no bill to Medicare or TFL for care you receive at VA. For VA enrollment, call 1-877-222-8387 TFL fills the gaps. Once active, TRICARE For Life covers deductibles, copays, and extras that Medicare alone does not, such as routine eye exams. For TFL eligibility, call 1-800-538-9552 Access can change over time. Your VA priority, local wait times, and health needs may shift. Medicare keeps that door open. VA and TFL work together. Enrolling in one does not cancel the other

DC VAMC Pink Out Day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month The DC VAMC Team and Veterans are donning pink clothes and ribbons to demonstrate our support of breast cancer survivors, honor those lost to the disease, and encourage early detection through screening. Finding breast cancer early significantly improves survival rates, with a 99% five-year relative survival rate when localized. Veterans enrolled for care at DC VAMC, may call 202-745-8577 to schedule an appointment or request medical advice. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

In recognition of Emergency Nurses Week, October 11-17, 2026, join your DC VAMC team in honoring emergency room nurses for their critical care and commitment to providing Veterans with safe, efficient, and compassionate care while serving on the frontlines. Thank you, team DC VAMC for serving morning, noon, and night to treat Veterans right! #EmergencyNursesWeek

Important Notice - No Walk-in Access at the Southeast DC CBOC The VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in DC is temporarily closed for renovation, October 13 - 16, 2026. Veterans who wish to walk-in may due so at the VA CBOC in Camp Springs, Maryland or the main medical center in DC. For medical advice or to schedule an appointment, please call 202-745-8577. The DC CBOC will resume normal operations on Monday, October 19, 2026. Thank you for your understanding during the renovation process.

DC-Area Veterans, Get Ready for Flu Season! Your DC VAMC Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Team is sharing important wellness information to help protect you from seasonal flu. Veterans may receive free flu shots now through the winter months during a scheduled VA primary care clinic appointment, at Atrium Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic, or at a local retail pharmacy. The Atrium Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic is open now through November 20, 2026, and operates on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Just visit the main medical center in DC, no appointment or cost is required. Remember, the clinic will not operate on federal holidays. Also, a Saturday Flu Shot Clinic is scheduled for October 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Remember, eligible Veterans may visit an in-network urgent care or local retail pharmacy conveniently located and at no cost, today through the winter months. Present your VA ID card and the billing information listed below. For in-network urgent care or retail pharmacy locations, visit: va.gov/find-locations Billing Information BIN-004336, PCN: ADV, RX Group: RX3839. Be sure to share your vaccination date, type, and location with your VA primary care provider, if you receive the vaccine outside of a VA facility. Sharing your vaccination information helps to keep your VA health record updated.

Dear DC-Area Veterans and Caregivers:  Please join Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Executive Director, Mr. Vamsee Potluri, FACHE, for a virtual Veteran Town Hall on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The virtual town hall offers participants an opportunity to meet executive leaders and health care team members; learn more about VA programs, health initiatives, and services; and communicate feedback about experiences at the main facility in DC and/or the VA community-based outpatient clinics in Maryland or Northern Virginia. Also, Veterans in the DC commuting area who have not yet enrolled for VA care are invited to attend. Participants may connect online using Microsoft Teams or call in using a cell phone or landline.  The virtual town hall will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., via Microsoft Teams, and will offer Veterans and caregivers the following opportunities and information: Meet the Executive Leadership Team             Review 2026 Accomplishments & Challenges         Focus on 2027 & Future Goals             Gain Information about VA Programs & Services             Participate in a Q&A Session & Share Feedback  To join the virtual town hall on October 8 at 6:00 p.m., click the following Teams meeting link:  Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 223 644 373 435 38 Passcode: gN9wK7ad  To dial-in by phone, call 1-872-701-0185, Conference ID: 805 904 464# Veterans who have immediate concerns about their health care services during a recent appointment or hospital stay, may contact the DC VAMC Patient Advocate Team, 202-745-8588. To schedule or cancel an appointment, call 202-745-857, or to enroll for VA care, call 877-222-8387, or visit: va.gov/health-care

During National Healthcare Supply Chain Week, Oct. 4-10, join the DC VAMC team in recognizing and appreciating the logistics professionals who manage the procurement, inventory, and logistics operations across our medical center, its six offsite clinics, and administrative locations throughout the District of Columbia and areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Thank you, team, for working diligently to support the care of our Veterans, powering today and preparing for tomorrow! #HealthcareSupplyChainWeek

This week, Oct. 4-10, 2026, we are recognizing our DC VAMC Healthcare "Super" Food Service Workers - the superheroes who prepare and deliver Veterans nutritious and healing meals! Thank you, Nutrition and Food Service team for your commitment to caring for the Veterans we are honored to serve as inpatients, outpatients and residents of the VA Community Living Center. #HealthcareFoodServiceWorkersWeek

DC VAMC Physician Assistants (PA) Go Beyond to Care for Veterans, and we celebrate their dedication and commitment to providing safe, quality care! Please thank a VA PA during National Physician Assistants Week, Oct. 6-12, 2026. VA is the nation's single largest employer of PAs, and at DC VAMC, our team works diligently to diagnose and compassionately care for Veterans while also ensuring they receive the appropriate medications. Through independent and collaborative efforts, the team places Veterans at the center of care, focusing on the whole Veteran rather than the illness or diagnosis. Thank you, team! #PAWeek