VA St. Louis Health Care System

11/27/2025

Sending heartfelt Thanksgiving wishes to our nation’s heroes, their caregivers, families, friends, and survivors. Your dedication to our country fills us with gratitude and inspires us every day.

This is a reminder that primary care clinics, all outpatient clinics, walk-in lab/radiology services, vaccine clinics, and administrative offices are closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, for the Federal holiday.

The John Cochran VA Hospital Emergency Room remains OPEN.

If the JC ER is not your closest facility, Veterans should dial 911 and go to the nearest emergency room in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, dial the Veteran Crisis Line at 988 (option 1) or text 83255.

For non-urgent, non-emergency matters, Veterans should message their primary care teams via My HealtheVet: https://www.va.gov/health-care/

May your holiday be joyful and safe. We look forward to welcoming you back when clinic and administrative operations resume on Friday. Thank you for choosing us for your health care needs.

11/24/2025

Concerned about your drinking? VA has treatments that can help you stop or reduce drinking, manage cravings, build your support system, set reachable goals, and cope with or avoid triggers that might cause a return to use.

Learn more about treatment: Mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/alcohol-use-disorder.asp

11/21/2025

Veterans enrolled in VA St. Louis Health Care System should contact Recreational Therapy (RT) at Jefferson Barracks for more information. Those not enrolled in RT should ask their primary care provider
for a Rec Therapy Referall!

11/21/2025

VA extends Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for certain Veterans and their family caregivers through Sept. 30, 2028.

11/21/2025

VA Home Care program provides Veterans with services they need in the comfort of their homes. From skilled nursing care to physical therapy, VA is here to support Veterans and their families. https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/Home_and_Community_Based_Services.asp

11/19/2025

**VA St. Louis Health Care System does NOT operate this program. We are sharing it on behalf of VA partner Luke's Wings. Please direct questions to Luke's Wings.**
==========================================
From Veterans Day through New Year's, Luke's Wings is providing FREE flights for wounded, ill, and injured Veterans and Service Members--and their loved ones--so they don't have to spend the holidays apart.

email: flightrequest@lukeswings.org
call: 512-971-9848
visit: www.lukeswings.org/request-a-flight

11/19/2025

Please note this Free Food Distribution is located in Illinois. Please read the St. Louis Area Foodbank post for location and more info. We are just sharing this information and is not affiliated with the distribution.

🚨 URGENT: Free Food Distribution!

The St. Louis Area Foodbank is proud to partner with SIUE to host a free food distribution, supporting individuals and families affected by the government shutdown, SNAP benefit disruptions, and rising living costs.

📅 Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025
🕘 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 Ralph Korte Stadium Parking Lot at SIUE Campus
3345 Stadium Dr, Edwardsville, IL 62026

🍎 Free food available for 3,000 households.
👉 First-come, first-served, while supplies last!
🚗 Drive-thru event, no ID or income verification required.
🥦 Fresh produce, dairy, protein, and pantry staples will be provided.
👨‍👩‍👧 You may pick up for up to 3 households.

This event is open to the public. All are welcome! If you need food assistance, we are here to help! Please share this post to help us spread the word!

11/19/2025

The Great American Smokeout is tomorrow, November 20, 2025. If you’re a smoker, please join the trend and quit for at least one day.
Your VA St. Louis’ Health Promotion and Disease Prevention office has programs to help you quit smoking and start your journey to being smoke-free for good! Take that first step and quit like a pro! Call them at 314-289-6503 to learn more.

11/14/2025

At VA St. Louis Health Care System, the Pawsome Pack has dropped in to remind Veterans that getting a flu shot is easy. From now through November 21, 2025, invites enrolled Veterans to visit our flu shot clinics—no appointment needed--including select Saturdays!

Take advantage of our Saturday Drive-thru Vaccine clinics. In fact, there's one coming up this weekend on November 15. Our amazing team of flu shot pros will be on hand from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks Bldg. 55 (Green Parking Lot) or at the John Cochran main hospital entrance.

If this weekend isn't good, Visit the Jefferson Barracks Bldg. One lobby, or the John Cochran Hospital main lobby on Grand on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., except holidays.

And finally, if you have an upcoming appointment at any (yes, we mean any) VA St. Louis location, just let your care team know that you’d like to get your flu shot, and they’ll take care of the rest. Yes, it's that easy.

Protect your health and the health of those you love—roll up your sleeve and get your flu shot.

11/11/2025

11/10/2025

Founded in Philadelphia, PA on this date in 1775, Marines have been globe trotters and anchor droppers for over 250 years. Wishing our Marine Corps Veterans a Happy 250th Birthday.

11/10/2025

Fall has arrived! During this , we thank Focal Pointe for donating beautiful mums and pansies for all to appreciate!

Thank you, Focal Pointe, for brightening our JC entrance and for your hard work at the Domiciliary at Jefferson Barracks, clearing the gardens and bringing the beauty of fall.