VA Central California Health Care System

02/27/2026

02/26/2026

"Pass the Mic: Voices of Strength and Service"
Join us tomorrow as we celebrate 100 Years of Black History Month.

Friday, February 27, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Auditorium
2615 E. Clinton Avenue, Fresno, CA

We will highlight voices from within our VA community.

Presented by the VA Central California African American Special Emphasis Program (AA SEP).

02/26/2026

As a Veteran, your military service may have exposed you to unique factors that can increase your risk of heart disease.
In addition to traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, mental health concerns such as PTSD and depression can contribute to your risk.
The Million Veteran Program is studying ways to improve treatments for heart disease.
You can make a difference by joining MVP today. www.mvp.va.gov

02/26/2026

Ask questions of our VA Central California Health Care System leadership team and subject matter experts.

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

Healthy Living Resource Fair
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10 AM
Front of VA Fresno main hospital building

Healthy Living Message: Be Involved in Your Healthcare: Know Your Medicines.
Whole Health Message: Whole Health from the Heart - the Value of Relationships.

Veterans, VA employees, Veterans’ friends, family, and other loved ones welcome.
Free resources, giveaways, and fresh popcorn.

02/24/2026

Today, on National Caregivers Day, we honor the caregivers who give so much of themselves to support our Nation’s Veterans. Your compassion, dedication, and quiet strength do not go unnoticed.

02/24/2026

The Veterans Crisis Line can help Veterans’ family members and friends get connected with helpful resources too.

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

02/21/2026

Women Veterans Stand Up 🇺🇸

The VACCHCS team proudly showed up in force for the annual Women Veterans Stand Up on February 16 hosted by Central Valley Veterans and organized by Deb Riordan, Annette Wholaver, and Leann Torrey. This free community event, held at Pardini’s in Fresno, honors and thanks women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Eighty-six Veterans attended this year’s celebration.

The morning began with breakfast and a warm welcome from co-emcees VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Mary Golden and U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Supervisory Peer Specialist Alexandria Gries. The invocation was led by Army Veteran/VA Chief Chaplain Neissha King. It was followed by the Presentation of Colors by Duncan Polytechnical High School and the National Anthem performed by the Fresno State Chamber Singers.

VACCHCS Associate Director Syndi Day provided remarks, encouraging Veterans to enroll in VA care, access the services they’ve earned, and participate in forums and focus groups to help shape the future of their health care.

Keynote speaker Mindy Casto, the 24th Chief and first woman to lead the Fresno Police Department, shared her leadership journey, praised the dedication of the officers she leads, and thanked the women Veterans in attendance for their service.

Our VA subject matter experts led a powerful Mental Health and Wellness panel featuring:
• Elisha Henderson - VA Whole Health Coach
• Neissha King - VA Chief Chaplain
• Dorothy Barton - Fresno Vet Center
• Yvonne Tejada, LCSW - Senior Social Worker, VA Primary Care Mental Health Integration
• Kim Booze, RN - VA Women Veterans Program Manager
• Darcie Evans, LCSW - VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator
• Diana Rosas, LCSW – VA Whole Health Coach, PM&R Service

A Veterans Benefits panel provided valuable information and resources, featuring:
• Rebecca Hawkins, Fresno County VSO
• Heather Alvarez, Employment Development Department
• Codi Pennington, Kings County VSO

Another panel session focused on Caregiver Support, featuring Elsa Jones, LCSW with the VA’s Women’s Health Program, along with representatives from Bristol Hospice, Valley Caregiver Resource Center, and WellBe Health. The discussion highlighted community partnerships and resources available to support caregivers caring for our nation’s heroes.

A Veterans of Domestic Wars Survivor Ceremony was hosted by Veteran/CDCE Administrative Officer/ Breaking the Silence Co-Founder Corky Draconi and Fresno State Lecturer/Breaking the Silence Co-Founder Dakota Draconi, MSW.

Shannon Major, Policy Analyst with State Senator Shannon Grove’s office, received the Service to Women Veterans Award. The Woman Veteran of the Year Award went to Navy Veteran Elizabeth Ray, a Constituent Services Representative in the Office of Congressman Jim Costa. Ms. Ray was not able to attend the ceremony, so the Congressman accepted on her behalf.

A special highlight of the day was the recognition of three remarkable women Veterans over the age of 90 - Bernice, Barb, and Helen - who were honored for their service and enduring legacy.

Outside the main room, our Outreach, MST (Military Sexual Trauma), and CDCE (Center for Development and Civic Engagement) teams connected Veterans with valuable resources and support. Special thanks to Julissa Fuentes, Bernadine Guidry, Norma Wallace, Dorothy “Dottie” Barton, Cynthia Barrimond, Genie Dowdy, Marianne Hassman, Diana Botello-Schroyer, LVN, Dr. Teresa Anes, Robin Gonzales, Veronica Krizan, RN, Jeff Brager, and David Ochoa.

Attendees also enjoyed self-care offerings, including spa services, a clothing closet, and a resource room.

We are honored to stand alongside the women who have stood up for our nation!

02/19/2026

This Valentine’s Day was extra special for Marine Veteran Dan Payne and his wife, Mary. ❤️

After years of battling tremors, Dan turned to VA Central California Health Care System for help. Through our Neurology and PM&R teams, he was evaluated and provided the Cala kIQ System. It's a wearable, non-invasive device designed to reduce hand tremors.

This Valentine's Day, Dan was able to take Mary out to dinner without the stress of uncontrollable shaking, simply enjoying the moment together. Stories like Dan’s are why we do what we do. It’s about more than treatment. It’s about restoring confidence, independence, and quality of life for the Veterans we are honored to serve.

We’re grateful to Dan and ABC30 for this story with our community:
https://abc30.com/post/valley-veteran-looks-forward-valentines-day-dinner-wife-years-battling-tremors/18598946/

If you are a Veteran interested in exploring eligibility and evaluation for the Cala kIQ System, we encourage you to contact your Neurology or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) provider at VACCHCS. If you do not currently have a neurologist, please reach out to your Primary Care Team for guidance.

A Valley veteran regains control from severe tremors with a breakthrough device, restoring his music, service, and cherished moments with his wife.

02/19/2026

💌 VALENTINES FOR VETERANS

Across the country, VA medical centers marked National Salute to Veteran Patients Week - a special time each year, to honor our inpatient and outpatient Veterans and show gratitude for their service. Held around Valentine’s Day, the initiative invites our communities to connect with local VA facilities and brighten Veterans’ days with Valentine cards, visits, and small acts of kindness that mean so much.

At VA Fresno, February 9–13 was filled with heartfelt moments:

Monday
• Shannon Major from the office of State Senator Shannon Grove helped distribute Valentines to our Veterans, sharing appreciation and warm wishes.

Thursday
• HandsOn Central California, a regional leader in volunteerism for more than 74 years, provided 1,000 Valentine cards to the VA Central California Health Care System to share with Veterans. Over the past five years, Tish Standley says the Fresno-based non-profit has collected and distributed more than 24,000 cards to Central California Veterans.
• Valerie Salcedo a Fresno-based classical singer, songwriter, and 2011 Miss Fresno County, filled the halls with beautiful music, singing for Veterans on multiple floors and bringing smiles throughout the medical center.
• The Central Valley Leo Club (of Selma), a youth service organization in Lions District 4-A2, dropped off a big donation of Valentine’s, reminding our Veterans that the next generation cares deeply about their service.

Friday
• VA Fresno leadership and staff gathered on the front steps of our Fresno medical center for a special ceremony, joined by Congressman Jim Costa and his team. Together, they handed out Valentines and personally greeted Veterans.
• Veteran Service Officer and Marine Veteran Mario Flores presented a check to the VAs Center for Development and Civic Engagement on behalf of Disabled American Veterans Homer Blevins Chapter 1.
• Our VA Public Affairs team hosted an outreach table, signing up Veterans for VA News emails and our monthly telephone town halls. If you’d like to stay informed about VA news and upcoming events, send us a message here on Facebook and we’ll add you to our list.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the week so meaningful. Your kindness reminds our Veterans that they are appreciated, remembered, and celebrated - not just this week, but every day.

02/17/2026

VA Central California leadership was honored to accept a generous $25,000 donation on February 11. It was presented by organizers of the 21st Annual Hubbard-Baro Memorial Golf Tournament, held November 11, 2025, at Fort Washington Country Club.

Since 2005, this remarkable tournament has contributed more than $1 million to support local Veterans. These funds strengthen essential programs including adaptive sports, mental health recovery services, and assistance for homeless Veterans.

The tournament pays tribute to Nathan and Jared Hubbard, Jeremiah Baro, and other fallen Valley heroes. We are grateful for a community that continues to honor their sacrifice by investing in the care and well-being of those who served.

Pictured left to right: Michael DerManouel, Andrea DerManouel, Mike Bethel, Austin Brock, Laura Andrade, Froy Garza, Wessel Meyer, and Melissa King