Ross Medical Education Center students in Ann Arbor, Michigan recently designed and assembled Valentines for veterans receiving care at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Every day is a great day to say thank you to the brave men and women that have served our country. However, Valentine’s Day offers another opportunity to honor these veterans. Valentine’s Day also falls during the National Salute that is a special time to honor and show appreciation for our nation’s veterans, to increase community awareness about the local VA Medical Center, and to encourage community members to visit hospitalized veterans and volunteer.
Air Force Veteran and Ross Instructor in the Medical Assistant program and the Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration program Daniel Glatter spearheaded the event. Mr. Glatter is also an employee of the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor. Students were happy to make the cards, as many of them know or have family members who are veterans. Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration student Angela Derby is a veteran who has received treatment at the center in Ann Arbor. She also has contributed to the center by making special blankets for the patients. Angela said, “it is important to remember vets with programs like Valentines for Veterans so they know they are not forgotten.”
The value of the VA Health Administration in incredible as they work to meet the medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs of the veterans in their care. They are also always changing and growing, now offering treatment for traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, suicide prevention, women veterans, etc. According the VA website, “VA has opened outpatient clinics, and established telemedicine and other services to accommodate a diverse Veteran population, and continues to cultivate ongoing medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s patriots.” The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to include 152 hospitals, 800 community-based outpatient clinics, and 126 nursing home care units. The Ann Arbor campus donated seventy hand-crafted Valentines in hopes of brightening the day of at least a few of these American heroes.