Phoenix VA Health Care System

05/31/2026

Defeat to***co: Take counseling plus medication for the win
The ni****ne in to***co is addictive, so you may feel that to***co has a hold on you that can’t be broken. But don’t give up. Of all VHA-enrolled Veterans with a history of smoking, 78% have successfully quit. You can too. Medications help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Counseling helps you build practical skills to change your to***co use behaviors. In combination, medication and counseling are a powerhouse. VA provides all these options for Veterans. Connect with your VA provider to find the treatments that will work best for you.

05/31/2026

Live longer and look better
When you stop using to***co, you begin to lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. You also improve your health in many other ways. But did you know that to***co use of any kind also interferes with your body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients and repair damage? That’s why it impacts the appearance and health of your skin, hair, nails, and more. Stop now to protect your health and prevent further to***co-related damage to your appearance. Connect with your VA provider to find the treatments that will work best for you.

05/31/2026

Today is World No To***co Day. Make this your Day 1 for reclaiming your life from to***co by breaking free from to***co and retaking control of your health. Use this day to find your motivation for quitting. Call Quit VET at 855-QUIT-VET (855-784-8838) for help in developing a plan to stop. Quit coaches at the VA to***co quitline offer counseling in English or Spanish and offer continued support through follow-up calls.

05/29/2026

Stay healthy this BBQ season with these food safety tips :

⏰ Don’t leave food out for more than 2 hours.

🧊 Refrigerate leftovers right away so that the internal temperature reaches 41°F or below within 6 hours.

🚫 Don’t take chances with your health! If you don’t know how long food has been sitting around, toss it out.

05/28/2026

Even if to***co use is part of your daily routine, or you’ve tried quitting before, or you’re worried about withdrawal symptoms, you have the power to reclaim your life.

Need guidance on how to stay away from to***co? Talk to trained quit coaches who will help you during any phase of quitting.

Call the VA to***co quitline at 1-855-QUIT-VET or visit Mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/quit-to***co/quit-vet.asp

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Is a Veteran in your life hesitant about reaching out for support?

Sometimes, hearing from someone who has been there makes all the difference.

Hear from Veterans about what encouraged them to seek mental health care. https://www.maketheconnection.net/MHM/

05/25/2026

Some were taken from battlefields, from families, from futures they never got to live. Our commitment to them did not end there. The Veterans Legacy Memorial exists so their stories do not end where their lives did. Find them this Memorial Day: www.va.gov/Remember.

Some were taken from battlefields, from families, from futures they...

05/23/2026

The Phoenix VA Health Care System in partnership with the Phoenix Indian Center recognized and honored the rich history, culture and significant contributions of Indigenous people, American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans to our nation at Steele Indian School Park, May 22. This is the third year this event has been held.

“To date, more than 3.6 million Veterans of American Indian and Alaska Native heritage have served honorably in the U.S. military—serving at far higher rates than any other group,” said Medical Center Director Elijah Ditter. Ditter also gave remarks about the VA’s Native American Veterans Homelessness Initiative. Ditter said, “A homeless Tribal Veteran identified in Show Low was successfully housed in March 2026, supported by Home Depot grant funds that resolved past due balances.”

This year’s theme was "Respect, Honor and Acknowledge – The Self-Sacrifice of the Fallen" and the ceremony included posting of colors by Native American women warriors, the National Anthem sung by Sialik King, the 2025 – 2026 Miss Indian Arizona, an opening prayer, welcome and land acknowledgement by Phoenix Indian Center CEO Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, and various speakers including Phoenix VA’s Medical Center Director Elijah Ditter, Kent Ware, Son of a WWII Veteran and Native American Veterans Association, and keynote Melissa Tennant, TSgt / E-6, Tohono O’odham, Pee-Posh Akimel O’odham from GRIC and of the Seneca-Cayuga, Wyandotte, and Peoria tribes. Phoenix VA wreath was also laid. In support of the event, enrollment and eligibility, social work, and su***de prevention representatives were also at the event to distribute information to Veterans on site.

View More Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pvahcs/albums/72177720333801791.

05/22/2026

The Phoenix VA Health Care System held our 16th annual VA2K Walk & Roll, May 20. This event, a national VA voluntary event that encourages Veteran and employee wellness through a brief, two kilometer activity while supporting homeless Veterans with water donations was held at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Northwest VA Clinic, and Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad VA Clinic. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed.