Physician Ambassadors

By Andy GERO
In June 2017, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs announced a new service, the Physician Ambassadors Program. The VA Health Services has paired with volunteer medical professionals. Since they are volunteers, they will work for free. They include licensed physicians and clinicians for mental health, emergency medicine, cardiac care, primary care, rural care and more. They’ll work alongside health care teams in any of the 1,700 VA facilities. The success of this program should expedite health care services for our veterans and shorten their waiting time.

There are questions as to who will check their credentials and, in the event of a dispute, whom does the veteran patient turn to if the medical person in question is not part of the VA? Since they are volunteers, they will answer to the VA Voluntary Services Office.

Ambassadors are needed at a few of the VA medical centers for taking blood samples, working in the nursing unit, assisting in the dialysis unit, helping in the ER, and assisting with patient care and pharmacy support.

For more information, Google the VA Physician Ambassadors Program.

Andy Gero is a life member of the VFW Post 1614 and the American Legion Post 288 in La Crescenta. He may be reached through the CV Weekly, (818) 248-2740, or write Crescenta Valley Weekly, 3800 La Crescenta Ave., Suite 101,
La Crescenta, CA 91214.

  Andy GERO