VA Loma Linda Healthcare System hosted a Pride Health Education Fair for Veterans, staff and community on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021, at the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). VA proudly offers inclusive health care services for all Veterans in a safe, sensitive, respectful, and welcoming environment.
Every VA facility has an LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator to help Veterans navigate their health care. Sommer Feliciano is the LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator at VA Loma Linda (VALL), and she organizes the Pride Health Education Fair every year. “We are out here because we want all Veterans to know that we are here for them. VALL offers mental health support and many specialized services for our Veterans. We are here to take care of you 100%.” VALL is designated as a Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.
The Pride event featured resource tables and provided education for a variety of programs, including LGBTQ+ Veteran Care, Mental Health Access Clinics, Suicide Prevention, PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support, Social Work, Women’s Health, Center for Minority Veterans, Infectious Disease Department, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans and Chaplain Services. Community partners also attended, supporting whole health, education and therapy initiatives.
Infectious Disease Department offered rapid HIV screening and prevention pamphlets. Veterans can self-refer for HIV prevention services at VA. If you have questions about HIV prevention or any LGBTQ+ healthcare questions, your primary care provider can submit an e-consult, and Sommer Feliciano, VALL LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinator, will reach out to connect you with resources specific to your health care concerns and location. Veterans are welcome to contact Sommer directly for care: (909) 894-7831
Mental Health Access Clinics at VALL are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to rapidly assist Veterans with crisis intervention, grief therapy, medication evaluations and mental health care options. Access Clinics are located at the ACC on the 1st Floor C-Wing Tango Clinic, and at the Medical Center by the emergency department. A Veteran in crisis can see a mental health clinician at the VA emergency department 24/7. Veterans can also call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
VALL hosts a variety of health care initiatives and social work specialists dedicated to personalized care for the Veteran you are. “We are an inclusive healthcare system, treating people fairly and equitably, uplifting their voices, and reaffirming that they are safe coming here,” said Medical Center Director Karandeep Sraon. “Regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression, faith and political beliefs, everyone who works here is all about coming together to do our best work, continuously providing excellent care in a sensitive and respectful environment that celebrates diversity and individual expression for all staff and Veterans alike.”
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