Dr. Oladipo "Ladi" Kukoyi | Executive Director Birmingham VA Health Care System
As Veterans Day approaches, we pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served our country. Birmingham holds a special place in this commemoration, with WWII Veteran Raymond Weeks from our city being the founder of National Veterans Day. At the Birmingham VA Health Care System, every day is a tribute to the more than 80,000 Veterans we serve across central and northern Alabama. Our mission is to deliver top-tier care and support to those who wore the uniform. This Veterans Day, we continue to prioritize addressing suicide prevention, Veteran homelessness, and access to care.
I must ensure that we honor the promises made to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Every Veteran who comes through our doors carries a unique story -- of courage, resilience, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. The Birmingham VA Health Care System is dedicated to meeting Veterans' physical and mental health needs. Our work is far from done, and as we reflect on this day, let it be a reminder of our shared responsibility to give back to those who have given us so much.
Suicide Prevention: Our #1 Clinical Priority
Veteran suicide remains a national crisis and our number one clinical priority. The most recent available data reveals there were 6,392 veteran suicides across the U.S., with 147 of those in Alabama alone. It's important to understand that suicide is complicated, involving a mix of risk factors and protective measures. To help prevent suicide, it's crucial to recognize warning signs like hopelessness, anxiety, and mood swings. It's also important to have the courage to reach out and offer support to those at risk.
At the Birmingham VA, we are deeply committed to making a difference. Our efforts in the past year included distributing over 6,000 gunlocks as part of lethal means safety initiatives, an approach aimed at reducing access to firearms, which are involved in nearly 85% of Veteran suicides in Alabama. We can save lives by building time and space between a person and potential means of harm. We also recently hosted the Pathways to Resilience Suicide Prevention Summit, an event designed to educate the community and our partners about the importance of addressing suicide.
Every conversation about mental health brings us one step closer to ending the stigma and saving lives. If you notice warning signs in someone, asking directly about suicidal thoughts is crucial. While this conversation may be uncomfortable, it is a necessary step in opening up a potentially life-saving dialogue. Remember, support is always available -- reach out to our Suicide Prevention Team, call 988, and press 1 for the Veteran Crisis Line.
Tackling Veteran Homelessness: Bringing Services to Those in Need
Veteran homelessness is not just a housing issue; it's a complex challenge impacting health and well-being. At the Birmingham VA, we address this issue head-on through comprehensive initiatives like our Homeless Veteran Patient Aligned Care Team, which focuses on the unique needs of homeless Veterans and the social factors affecting their health.
Each year, we team up with city partners to better understand the landscape of homelessness in our community, especially among Veterans. This ongoing effort helps us gauge the number of homeless individuals and informs our strategies for developing and securing the services they need. Our ultimate goal is to provide health care to those without shelter and guide them toward stable housing.
A new outreach component for BVAHCS is our Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), which functions as a "clinic on wheels," providing essential health services to homeless Veterans and those in rural areas. The MMU is equipped with exam rooms, telehealth capabilities, and diagnostic tools, allowing us to deliver health services to those who struggle to access them and break down barriers to care.
In fiscal year 2024, the Birmingham VA Health Care System housed 256 Veterans in permanent housing, exceeding its goal by 20%. This local achievement is part of a national initiative that resulted in nearly 48,000 Veterans finding permanent housing last year. Ending Veteran homelessness is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the VA and requires strong collaboration with community partners. We remain committed to ensuring that no Veteran is left behind, whether on the streets, in shelters, or in remote communities. The MMU is more than a temporary solution; it's a strategic asset that expands access to care and brings us closer to ending Veteran homelessness for good.
Expanding Access Through the PACT Act
The passage of the PACT Act marks a historic expansion of access to VA health care. Veterans exposed to toxic substances and environmental hazards during military service, both overseas and within the United States, now have improved eligibility to enroll in VA health care. This includes those who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and even training sites in the U.S.
The Birmingham VA has already screened over 56,000 Veterans for exposure concerns, with nearly half requiring follow-ups. Our commitment to reaching all eligible Veterans remains steadfast, with more than 85 outreach events executed this year, reaching more than 1,200 Veterans, to assist new enrollees and address exposure-related health issues. The PACT Act enables us to better fulfill our promise to care for those who have borne the battle, ensuring they receive the benefits and medical support they earned through their service.
A Call to Action
On this Veterans Day, as we honor those who fought for our freedom, let us also renew our commitment to caring for them when they return home. At the Birmingham VA, our work extends beyond providing medical treatment; it involves supporting the whole person, addressing mental health needs, ensuring stable housing, and expanding access to care for all who served. We are dedicated to keeping our covenant with Veterans and building the trust that allows us to serve them effectively.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Veterans of central and northern Alabama and all Veterans. You embody honor, sacrifice, and courage, and we pledge to support you with the highest standard of care every day. Our efforts in suicide prevention, ending homelessness, and expanding access through the PACT Act are more than initiatives -- they are a moral obligation to the men and women who defended our nation.
As we come together to recognize Veterans Day, remember that the work does not end on November 11th. It is a continuous commitment to serve those who served us. Thank you for your service. We stand by you today and always.