Columbia MO VA Medical Center

Columbia MO VA Medical Center Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital meets the health care needs of our nation's heroes. Truman VA is also on the web: http://columbiamo.va.gov.
(530)

Following a Facebook user does not signify VA endorsement. Our Social Media Policy: https://go.usa.gov/xMRm6

Today, March 29, is National Vietnam War Veterans Day - a time of remembrance and gratitude in honor of those who served...
03/29/2026

Today, March 29, is National Vietnam War Veterans Day - a time of remembrance and gratitude in honor of those who served in the U.S military during the Vietnam War. This past Friday, Truman VA held an event at the American Legion Post 202 to thank Boone County Vietnam-era Veterans. In particular, it was a great honor having Col. John Clark speak at our event!

03/27/2026

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed annually on March 29 to recognize the nine million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era (1955–1975). To honor Boone County Vietnam War-era Veterans, Truman VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) held an appreciation event today, March 27, at American Legion Post 202 in Columbia. The event was attended by 60 Veterans and 33 loved ones. The event featured Posting the Colors with Pledge of Allegiance, speaking remarks, the presentation of commemorative lapel pins, and hero’s send-off as a gesture of gratitude for each Veterans’ service.

The keynote speaker at today’s event was Col. John Clark, a Columbia native and Vietnam War Veteran. Col. Clark served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1992. On March 12, 1967, then Capt. Clark, was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War. After spending 2,170 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973.

We would like to thank the cadets of the Missouri Military Academy for es**rting our Veterans as they arrived today, as well as providing the honor guard for the Posting of Colors and joining us for the hero’s send-off. We also thank members of the Missouri National Guard for joining us today and American Legion Post 202 for allowing us to use their facility. Above all, we thank our Vietnam War-era Veterans. We are proud of you and truly appreciate the sacrifices you made for our country.

A Truman VA representative will provide in-person assistance with Login.gov and ID.me accounts on the dates and at the C...
03/26/2026

A Truman VA representative will provide in-person assistance with Login.gov and ID.me accounts on the dates and at the CBOC locations listed in the graphic. Veteran and caregiver training on how to navigate My HealtheVet and Secure Messaging, as well as how to enter travel claims through VA.gov and the BTSSS system also will be provided. Call (573) 814-6677 to schedule your appointment!

03/26/2026

If you notice signs of crisis in a Veteran you know, don’t wait. Get connected to immediate support right now:

Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

If you are a Veteran who receives statin medication from Truman VA for lowering cholesterol, we have great news! Tablet ...
03/23/2026

If you are a Veteran who receives statin medication from Truman VA for lowering cholesterol, we have great news! Tablet splitting is going away for atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin. Over the next year, statin prescriptions will be converted from half-tablet to whole-tablet dosing.

Patients should continue to request prescription refills as usual. However, please read your prescription labels carefully to ensure you are taking the correct dose of your medication. Once the transition to whole tablets is complete for your medication, each tablet will be the exact daily dosage you have been prescribed.

If you have any questions regarding this upcoming change, please contact your Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Remember, we are here to assist you!

Congratulations to Stacia Becker, Primary Care, for receiving the DAISY Award. Stacia was nominated by the wife of one o...
03/21/2026

Congratulations to Stacia Becker, Primary Care, for receiving the DAISY Award. Stacia was nominated by the wife of one of our Veterans with this writeup:

"Staci has been my husband’s Telehealth nurse for a while. She goes out of her way to make sure he is doing ok. If she sees anything suspicious in his vitals, she immediately contacts us. As my husband’s caregiver, I know I can call her about any questions I have regarding anything- medicine, symptoms, mental health concerns. She is always willing to listen and give me answers. My husband calls her his Nurse. If we have a question or a concern, he doesn’t say, “call Staci,” he says, “call my nurse.” Staci is a true professional. She explains things in a way I can understand, and she takes my concerns seriously. She cares enough about my husband to visit him when he’s been hospitalized. She always asks me how I’m doing as his caregiver. I know she truly cares about both of us. She even asked to read Bill’s Vietnam story, so I emailed her a copy. If anyone deserves recognition, it’s Staci!"

Nice job Stacia!

Congratulations to Erin Ogg, Clinical Support, for receiving the BEE Award for "Being Extraordinary Everyday!" One of ou...
03/20/2026

Congratulations to Erin Ogg, Clinical Support, for receiving the BEE Award for "Being Extraordinary Everyday!" One of our patients nominated Erin with this writeup:

"I encountered Erin in Radiology. She was very pleasant with my intake encounter. It was when I dropped my keys, and the keys went under the furniture in the waiting area, this is when Erin saw me struggle to reach my keys. She came out from behind the counter, got down on her hands and knees, and successfully reached my keys. When I returned back to the same department (on another date) to schedule a follow up appointment, she looked at her monitor and noted how far I drive. She asked for me to wait a moment while she checked if I could get my appointment at the same time as another appointment. She went above and beyond her role to get me in with no prior appointment dates. This employee is very exceptional. I hope she gets the BEE recognition. She is awesome!"

Way to go Erin!!!

03/20/2026

Truman VA staff participated in a CODE HONOR for two of our unclaimed deceased Veterans this morning, March 20. As part of the honor walk, staff lined the procession path through the medical center and out onto Flag Drive. Afterward, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Veterans’ cremains were conveyed to the Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery. The funeral procession from our facility to the cemetery included an es**rt by VA Police and several Veteran motorcycle groups. Local and county police assisted the procession to safely exit Columbia on its way to the cemetery. One of our chaplains, Father Patrick Adejoh, conducted the funeral service. Additionally, members from several American Legion posts provided military funeral honors.

The staff at Truman VA is committed to all our Veterans. Through this act of respect and gratitude, we reaffirm our deep and enduring commitment to stand by our Veterans in every way, always remembering the sacrifices they made for us.

Truman VA would like to thank the following additional individuals/organizations for helping us honor these two heroes who served our nation: Courtney Nowlin, Truman VA Survivor Assistant Memorial Specialist, for organizing and making the funeral arrangements; Chris Waterfield, DAV Coordinator at Truman VA; VFW Riders Post 280; the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 4-7, American Legion Riders Post 202, the Band of Brothers Motorcycle Group, City of Columbia and Boone County Police, and the Patriot Guard Riders.

Today, March 19, is National Certified Nurses Day. While advanced certification is not a requirement for employment at V...
03/19/2026

Today, March 19, is National Certified Nurses Day. While advanced certification is not a requirement for employment at VA, it represents a significant professional accomplishment that nurses pursue independently. In recognition of today's national observance, Truman VA’s Care Coordination & Integrated Case Management (CCICM) team would like to acknowledge the following nurses for their certification achievements:

Photo #1 (left to right, top to bottom):
Angela Schultz, Milena Coolbaugh, Sonya Mosher, Nathasia Dorsey, Janna Blackburn, Elizabeth Turner, Laci Knipfel, Daniel Church, Erin Howser, Morgan Gibson, and Roxanne George.

Photo #2 (left to right):
Peris Speek, Steven Tyree, and Amanda Bell.

Not pictured:
Barbara Bank, Laci Setser, Sandra McHugh, Debra Raines, Angel Petznick, and Nicole Cook.

March is Women's History Month. Throughout March, we recognize the sacrifices made by our women Veterans, as well as tho...
03/17/2026

March is Women's History Month. Throughout March, we recognize the sacrifices made by our women Veterans, as well as those from the past. Thank you for your service!

Congratulations to Christine (Chrissy) Milletics, MBA, for being named Truman VA’s new Privacy Officer. Chrissy has been...
03/11/2026

Congratulations to Christine (Chrissy) Milletics, MBA, for being named Truman VA’s new Privacy Officer. Chrissy has been with Truman VA for more than 18 years! Way to go!!!

Address

800 Hospital Drive
Columbia, MO
65201

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Columbia MO VA Medical Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category