11/07/2025
VAPIHCS Veterans,
This week I’m honored to be in American Samoa to celebrate the 2nd annual Veterans Toa Games—named for the Samoan word for “warrior.” These events, from golf to table tennis and billiards, are more than friendly competition; they are opportunities for Veterans to come together, build camaraderie, strengthen community ties, and access VA resources.
It has been a few years since I last visited, and it has been especially meaningful for both me and VA Pacific Islands Assistant Director Jim Ingebredtsen, to connect with Veterans and staff. We are also grateful to have our Members Services, Mental Health, Chaplain Services, Caregiver Support, and the Center for Development and Civic Engagement team present as well, sharing resources connecting Veterans to services during the games.
The deep relationship between American Samoa and the United States is rooted by generations of shared service, sacrifice, and loyalty. American Samoa’s strong faith in tradition and unwavering love of country is evident by the extraordinary number of Veterans who choose to serve in our Armed Forces. Their commitment reminds me of our responsibility to ensure VAPIHCS provides our American Samoan and all of our Veterans across the pacific islands, access to high quality, safe, and compassionate health care.
I am deeply grateful to the Veterans, families, and the staff in American Samoa for welcoming us, spending time with us, and sharing their stories in this week of connection and community.
National Observances This Week
I want to take a moment to highlight and recognize several important observances taking place across VA that reflect our shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and Veteran-centered care.
• National Compliance and Ethics Week
VA recognizes the importance of making ethical decisions in all areas of our work. Our Compliance and Ethics team makes sure every action we take, from clinical care to administrative tasks, is done with fairness, transparency, and integrity. They help us manage public resources responsibly and ensure that decisions about your care are made in your best interest. We honor them for their guidance and for keeping our system accountable and focused on Veterans.
• Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Week
We also celebrate our Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services. They play a vital role in supporting the independence and well-being of our Veterans. They work with your VAPIHCS providers and community partners to make sure you get the medical equipment you need, like mobility devices, hearing aids, and braces. We thank them for their dedication, compassion, and determination in meeting your needs, wherever you are.
• Medical Staff Professionals Week
This week also highlights the work of our Medical Staff Professionals in credentialing and privileging. They ensure every clinician at VA is properly trained, qualified, and ready to serve. Their work helps provide safe and high-quality care for every Veteran who visits us. They uphold strong standards to protect your health and maintain your trust in our medical system.
Veteran Experience Survey Spotlight
The way VAPIHCS continues to improve your care is through your feedback. Many of you receive a Veteran Experience Survey after your visit.
One of the questions asks:
“In the last six months, how often were clerks and receptionists at this provider’s office as helpful as you thought they should be?”
Our clerks and receptionists are often the first people you meet when you visit a VA clinic. They set the tone for your visit — greeting you, checking you in, assisting with scheduling, and helping make your experience welcoming and smooth. We want every Veteran to feel supported, respected, and valued the moment you arrive.
Your feedback helps us recognize where we are doing well and where we can continue to grow. When you receive a survey, we encourage you to share your honest experience. Your voice plays a direct role in improving care for all Veterans across the pacific islands.
Thank you for choosing VAPIHCS.
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
There’s an ancient story of builders who wanted to build a majestic temple. Their strategy involved using prefabricated stones from a quarry. By the time these stones reached the construction site, they were already polished, squared, and precisely hewed. Each stone slid seamlessly into its designated position in the builders’ grand design, except for one irregular stone, which seemed glaringly out of place.
The builders, puzzled by this oddly shaped stone, quickly cast that stone to the side, favoring the other uniform stones. Over time, this rejected stone became something of an unwelcome annoyance, and some even stumbled over it as they navigated the construction site.
However, to complete the edifice, they needed a cornerstone - the most critical element. This cornerstone needed to be of significant size and strength, capable of supporting the monumental weight that would rest upon it. It had to be able to withstand the unpredictable whims of the weather, from scorching sunrays to biting frost and relentless storms. A wrong choice here could imperil the entire structure.
Every stone the builders tested faltered under the weight they applied, crumbling into pieces.
But then, the builders remembered the odd stone they had previously rejected, realizing it had already weathered storms, the relentless sun, and harsh winds without displaying the slightest crack. It now came time to face the ultimate test: supporting the temple's weight. Remarkably, this stone was found able to bear the weight, and when it was slid into place, it turned out to be a perfect fit. The very stone that the builders rejected, became the chief cornerstone.
It is often assumed that to become successful at whatever line of service, one must mimic and become a carbon copy of another. But when we do this, we can end up suppressing the unique perspectives, insights, and contributions that we can bring to the table. Rather than conceal our uniqueness, what the world needs most is your voice, your perspectives, and your insights. Like the stone, you might be unique and different, but the service you provide might be just what’s needed.
One Team, One Ohana!
Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
