Women veterans virtual healthcare summit set April 8

The Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center will hold a virtual summit aimed at women’s healthcare and resources available in VA from 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday,  April 8.

The VA recognizes that women are the fastest-growing group in the veteran population and will have VA medical professionals on hand to discuss available women’s healthcare at the VA. The virtual summit will cover women’s health, OB/GYN services, mental health resources, to include military sexual trauma, and how to enroll in VA healthcare. The event is focused on female veterans but is open to the community and other healthcare professionals who support female veterans.

To register, go to wilmington.va.gov/services/women/index.asp.

Women veterans have achieved amazing successes in the military. There are more than 2 million women veterans living in the U.S. today. In 2000, women were only 4 percent of the veteran population. By 2040, women will make up 18 percent of the veteran population. VA is committed to providing female veterans the access to gender-specific care they have earned and deserve.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Year-round, VA works to increase public awareness of its services and support for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma, the term VA uses to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service.

This year, VA's message for Sexual Assault Awareness Month is focused on support for MST survivors and its confidence in their strength, resilience and ability to continue healing: "We believe you – and we believe in you."

For more information and resources, go to mentalhealth.va.gov/MST/index.asp.

Wilmington VA Medical Center provides healthcare services to approximately 33,000 veterans through its main medical center and five community-based outpatient clinics.