Augusta VA Medical Center

01/29/2026

This week, VA Augusta Innovation Specialists Kelsey Shull and Chris Ndeti participated in the Augusta University INNOVATE Pitch for a Purpose program. During this event, they provided virtual training on how to pitch positive, life-changing ideas for organizations dedicated to making a difference. Our Innovation program at VA Augusta has become a regional leader in best practices for innovation. They regularly offer training to partner agencies, helping to strengthen innovation processes across the CSRA community.

01/29/2026

If you're struggling or in crisis - or know someone who is - don't wait. Call 988 and Press 1 to receive professional, confidential help through the Veterans Crisis Line.

01/28/2026

If you're coming to the VA Augusta Downtown campus (950 15th Street in Augusta) and you need some help getting to the door, our Vehicle Response Team is ready to help! Just park in the Valet Parking lot (across from the MCG Wellstar campus) at the front entrance and indicate your need for help to the valet parking lot attendant.

01/28/2026

Post-9/11 Veterans: Your service shaped your health—and can shape the future of care.

VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) invites you to take the new Military Experiences and Toxic Exposures Survey to help researchers understand how your unique experiences impact health and wellness.

Help us unlock answers. Already part of MVP? Sign in and take the survey today.

Veterans can join MVP at www.mvp.va.gov.

01/27/2026

Each week, VA Augusta hosts a chapel service for Veterans and staff. We hope you find encouragement in this week's message. VA Augusta serves Veterans of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. To learn more about how VA Augusta can support the spiritual wellness of Veteran patients and their families, please call our Chaplain Service at 706-733-0188, exts. 6118, 6172, or 6114.

01/27/2026

VA Augusta joins the world in pausing today — the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau — to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of N**i persecution. Learn more at https://www.ushmm.org/remember/international-holocaust-remembrance-day

01/26/2026

VA Augusta proudly serves Veterans, but did you know about one-third of VA Augusta employees are Veterans? Today, we pause to honor the service of Crystal Scott, Army Veteran and VA Augusta Records Officer.

01/25/2026

REMINDER: VA Augusta Health Care System outpatient clinics in Augusta, Aiken, Athens, and Statesboro will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, to discourage travel on our roads during winter weather conditions.

Due to expected winter weather, VA Augusta Health Care System outpatient clinics and outpatient services (including procedures and operations) in Augusta, Aiken, Athens, and Statesboro will be CLOSED MONDAY, JAN. 26. VA Augusta staff are proactively contacting impacted Veteran patients to reschedule appointments. All other VA Augusta Health Care System operations will continue as scheduled.

Our Emergency Management and Executive Leadership teams are closely monitoring weather conditions, and we will provide updates if additional changes to services or operations become necessary.

Much of Georgia and South Carolina are forecast to experience significant winter weather this weekend and early next week, including the potential for snow, freezing rain, and icy conditions.

STAYING PREPARED: According to a recent WRDW CBS-12 weather report, “Ice accumulation on roads, sidewalks, and power lines could create dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages. If you must travel during this event, use extreme caution and allow extra time for your commute. Consider postponing non-essential travel (throughout the weekend). Stock up on essentials before the weekend, check on your heating systems, and bring in any outdoor items that could be damaged by ice. Keep flashlights and batteries on hand in case of power interruptions.”

WARMING CENTERS: Below is a list of warming centers that are available in Augusta, Aiken, Athens, and Statesboro. Please call to confirm availability before traveling to a warming center as availability might change during the weather event.

AIKEN:
Family Promise
Services: Transitional Shelter
Phone: 803-443-5625

Mount Salem Outreach Ministries
Services: Shelter for men
2121 Augusta Rd., Gloverville, SC 29828
803-593-2276

Salvation Army
604 Park Ave. SE
Aiken, SC 29801
803-641-4149

ATHENS:
Multi-Modal Transport
Services: Overnight Monday 1/26 and Tuesday 1/27 5pm-9am;
775 E Broad St. Athens, GA 30601

Lay Park
Services: Overnight shelter Saturday 1/24 12pm-Sunday 1/25
297 Hoyt St Athens, GA 30601

Bigger Vision of Athens
Services: Emergency shelter for individuals (Call at 4:00 PM to reserve a bed)
95 North Ave, Athens, GA 30601
biggervisionofathens.org
706-340-6062

Salvation Army
Services: Emergency shelter for families and individuals
484 Hawthorne Ave, Athens, GA 30606
salvationarmygeorgia.org/athens/
706-543-5350

Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
620 Barber Street, Athens, GA 30601
www.helpathenshomeless.org
706-354-0423

Family Promise of Athens
Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
706-425-1881 / (Day Center): 355 Pulaski St, Athens GA, 30601
www.familypromiseathens.org

The Sparrow’s Nest
Services: Homeless support services, free meals, clothes closet, showers, laundry
745 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30606
www.sparrowsnestathens.org
706-549-6693

Advantage Homeless Day Service Center
Services: Homeless support services, showers, laundry
Monday thru Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
240 North Ave, Athens, GA
https://advantagebhs.org/homeless-services/
706-354-1154

Athens-Clarke County Library
2025 Baxter Street, Athens GA 30606
706-613-3650
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM / Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Sunday: 2:00 - 6:00 PM

AUGUSTA:
Shelter Access Requirements: Individuals seeking overnight shelter must obtain a shelter clearance. Beginning at 5 p.m., a deputy will be on-site at May Park to assist individuals and provide the necessary documentation.
Shelter assistance is also available by phone at 706-821-1080, with Option 4 as the prompt. Augusta Transit does not operate on Sundays, so individuals seeking transportation to warming shelter locations should plan accordingly.

Augusta Rescue Mission
526 Walker Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-in times vary)

Salvation Army Center of Hope
1384 Greene Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-in times vary)

May Park Community Center (Alternate location)
622 4th Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-In 5-9PM)

STATESBORO:
Pittman Park UMC
Services: Warming Center 5pm-10pm until Monday 1/26
1102 Fair Rd. Statesboro GA 30458
912-681-3213

Open Hearts Community Mission
Services: Overnight shelter
201 Martin Luther King

01/23/2026

Due to expected winter weather, VA Augusta Health Care System outpatient clinics and outpatient services (including procedures and operations) in Augusta, Aiken, Athens, and Statesboro will be CLOSED MONDAY, JAN. 26. VA Augusta staff are proactively contacting impacted Veteran patients to reschedule appointments. All other VA Augusta Health Care System operations will continue as scheduled.

Our Emergency Management and Executive Leadership teams are closely monitoring weather conditions, and we will provide updates if additional changes to services or operations become necessary.

Much of Georgia and South Carolina are forecast to experience significant winter weather this weekend and early next week, including the potential for snow, freezing rain, and icy conditions.

STAYING PREPARED: According to a recent WRDW CBS-12 weather report, “Ice accumulation on roads, sidewalks, and power lines could create dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages. If you must travel during this event, use extreme caution and allow extra time for your commute. Consider postponing non-essential travel (throughout the weekend). Stock up on essentials before the weekend, check on your heating systems, and bring in any outdoor items that could be damaged by ice. Keep flashlights and batteries on hand in case of power interruptions.”

WARMING CENTERS: Below is a list of warming centers that are available in Augusta, Aiken, Athens, and Statesboro. Please call to confirm availability before traveling to a warming center as availability might change during the weather event.

AIKEN:
Family Promise
Services: Transitional Shelter
Phone: 803-443-5625

Mount Salem Outreach Ministries
Services: Shelter for men
2121 Augusta Rd., Gloverville, SC 29828
803-593-2276

Salvation Army
604 Park Ave. SE
Aiken, SC 29801
803-641-4149

ATHENS:
Multi-Modal Transport
Services: Overnight Monday 1/26 and Tuesday 1/27 5pm-9am;
775 E Broad St. Athens, GA 30601

Lay Park
Services: Overnight shelter Saturday 1/24 12pm-Sunday 1/25
297 Hoyt St Athens, GA 30601

Bigger Vision of Athens
Services: Emergency shelter for individuals (Call at 4:00 PM to reserve a bed)
95 North Ave, Athens, GA 30601
biggervisionofathens.org
706-340-6062

Salvation Army
Services: Emergency shelter for families and individuals
484 Hawthorne Ave, Athens, GA 30606
salvationarmygeorgia.org/athens/
706-543-5350

Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
620 Barber Street, Athens, GA 30601
www.helpathenshomeless.org
706-354-0423

Family Promise of Athens
Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
706-425-1881 / (Day Center): 355 Pulaski St, Athens GA, 30601
www.familypromiseathens.org

The Sparrow’s Nest
Services: Homeless support services, free meals, clothes closet, showers, laundry
745 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30606
www.sparrowsnestathens.org
706-549-6693

Advantage Homeless Day Service Center
Services: Homeless support services, showers, laundry
Monday thru Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
240 North Ave, Athens, GA
https://advantagebhs.org/homeless-services/
706-354-1154

Athens-Clarke County Library
2025 Baxter Street, Athens GA 30606
706-613-3650
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM / Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Sunday: 2:00 - 6:00 PM

AUGUSTA:
Shelter Access Requirements: Individuals seeking overnight shelter must obtain a shelter clearance. Beginning at 5 p.m., a deputy will be on-site at May Park to assist individuals and provide the necessary documentation.
Shelter assistance is also available by phone at 706-821-1080, with Option 4 as the prompt. Augusta Transit does not operate on Sundays, so individuals seeking transportation to warming shelter locations should plan accordingly.

Augusta Rescue Mission
526 Walker Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-in times vary)

Salvation Army Center of Hope
1384 Greene Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-in times vary)

May Park Community Center (Alternate location)
622 4th Street
Augusta, GA 30901- (check-In 5-9PM)

STATESBORO:
Pittman Park UMC
Services: Warming Center 5pm-10pm until Monday 1/26
1102 Fair Rd. Statesboro GA 30458
912-681-3213

Open Hearts Community Mission
Services: Overnight shelter
201 Martin Luther King

01/23/2026

Fellows Friday: Celebrate the people who make your work meaningful. Share a story or photo that highlights how your team’s collaboration and compassion create outstanding patient care.

01/23/2026

01/22/2026

VA Augusta Health Care System welcomes all Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivor beneficiaries and provides care for everyone, including LGBTQ+ Veterans. Because many LGBTQ+ Veterans have faced bias and discrimination - which can affect health - VA Augusta aims to make sure all Veterans know they’re welcome. To learn more, contact VA Augusta LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator Cheryle Safford, LMSW, at (706) 733-0188, ext. 26813.