Press Releases
2013
VA Hires Mental Health Professionals to Meet Goal, Expands Access to Care and Outreach Efforts - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has met the goal to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in President Obama’s August 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) has hired 46 new mental health professionals toward this goal. (06/11/2013)
Bay Pines VA to open new parking garage in July (Update) - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) will open a new 500-space parking garage to Veterans and their families in July. The new five-level garage will increase parking capacity at the medical center to about 3,000 spaces. (06/10/2013)
HUD & VA Team Up to Provide Permanent Homes to 915 Homeless Veterans In Florida - Approximately 915 homeless Veterans living on the streets and in shelters in Florida will soon find a permanent place to call home. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide $60 million to local public housing agencies across the country to provide permanent supportive housing to homeless Veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions. Florida will receive $6 million to assist its homeless Veterans. (05/30/2013)
Bay Pines Volunteer Brings Smiles, Happiness to Veterans - A smile, thumbs up, fist bump, hug and even a special dance – these are all things 38-year-old Matthew Ransdell brings to the table as one of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s most cherished and exceptional volunteers. (05/13/2013)
Bay Pines VA to Celebrate National VA Research Week May 13-17 - Veterans, families, and general public invited to attend ceremony and fair May 13. (05/10/2013)
A Letter to the Editor: Nurses Week 2013 - The theme of National Nurses Week 2013 is "Nurses: Delivering Quality & Innovation in Patient Care," and no one puts more passion into the health care profession than VA nurses and nursing staff. (05/06/2013)
Bay Pines VA to Host VA2K "Walk and Roll" Event on May 15 - Employee wellness event to benefit homeless Veterans. (04/24/2013)
Bay Pines VA to Host Annual Memorial Day Ceremony - Bay Pines ceremony largest in Pinellas County; more than 3,000 expected. (04/22/2013)
Bay Pines VA Extends Primary Health Care Hours at Select Locations - Medical Center and Select Clinics Open Longer on Wednesdays, Saturdays. (04/08/2013)
Bay Pines VA receives AHA Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Silver Quality Achievement Award - The Bay Pines VA has received a quality achievement award from the American Heart Association. (04/03/2013)
On National Hire a Veteran Day VA announces upcoming employment and information fair in Tampa - On National Hire a Veteran Day VA announces VA announces upcoming employment and information fair in Tampa. (03/21/2013)
Bay Pines VA to host Stand Down for Homeless Veterans - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) will host a Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event on April 6 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is scheduled to take place in the courtyard located near building 37 at the medical center campus located in Bay Pines. (03/18/2013)
National Salute to Veteran Patients Week Feb. 10-16 - The full week of events centers on VA's popular Valentines for Vets program scheduled for Feb. 14. Individuals, Veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars traditionally deliver valentines or visit Veterans at VA medical centers, clinics, domiciliaries and community living centers (CLC) across the country. (02/11/2013)
2012
Bay Pines VA to hold Veteran, Community Open House at new Lee County VA Healthcare Center - The event will give Veterans, their families and local community members an opportunity to see inside the new state-of-the-art facility prior to opening on Dec. 17. (11/23/2012)
Bay Pines VA Volunteer Receives National Recognition - "I wanted to volunteer in the hospice unit because of the safe and caring environment," said Mirasola. (11/08/2012)
Sebring VA Community Clinic to Relocate Nov 19 - The new clinic building is located approximately two miles south of the current location at 5901 U.S. Highway 27 South in the Beverly Center Plaza. (10/31/2012)
VA Partners with Tampa Bay Bucs for Military Resource Fair Nov. 4 - All Veterans, active duty military, and returning troops are invited to attend this free, exclusive event to learn about employment opportunities and VA benefits. (10/31/2012)
Bay Pines VA to host Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov 11 - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the main medical center campus on November 11 at 10:00 a.m. (10/17/2012)
Bay Pines VA to tighten tobacco use restrictions Oct 1 - In support of the organization’s commitment to "Be Tobacco Free," the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will tighten tobacco use restrictions at the main Bay Pines VA Medical Center (VAMC) campus in St. Petersburg and at all of the system’s outpatient clinic locations beginning October 1. (10/01/2012)
New Lee County VA Healthcare Center to Open December 17 - Center to replace current Fort Myers VA Outpatient Clinic (09/24/2012)
VA Secretary Shinseki Announces Local Grants for Homeless Veterans - Temporary Housing Grant Helps Close Gaps in Available Housing (09/24/2012)
Bay Pines VA to receive state-level award from Vocational Rehabilitation - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will receive a state-level award for its commitment to hiring people with disabilities during a Disability Employment Awareness Celebration on Oct. 31 (09/20/2012)
New Lee County VA Healthcare Center to open in December - Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) officials announced today that the new Lee County VA Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Fla. will open its doors to Veterans in mid December. (08/31/2012)
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Status for Tropical Storm Isaac - Outpatient Clinics to reopen Tuesday, August 28 (08/27/2012)
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Status for Tropical Storm Isaac - Outpatient services at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will be closed Monday, Aug. 27. This includes all outpatient community clinics, outpatient clinics at the main facility, surgeries and medical procedures. (08/27/2012)
Bay Pines VA to conduct mass casualty exercise Aug. 16 - During the exercise, emergency vehicles and personnel will be onsite. Medical center operations and traffic entering and exiting the campus will not be affected. (08/14/2012)
Bay Pines VA to Participate in Threshers Veterans Appreciation Night - VA Benefits Information and Services to Be Available to Veterans During Game on June 29 (06/27/2012)
Bay Pines VA Tailors Plan to Expand Mental Health Staff - Facility to Hire 54 as Part of Nationwide Boost (06/12/2012)
New Director Arrives at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System - The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the arrival of Suzanne M. Klinker as the new Director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System May 21. (05/21/2012)
Bay Pines VA to host VA2K “Walk and Roll” Event and Women Veterans Health Fair - The Bay Pines VA Medical Center will host its second annual VA2K “Walk and Roll” event on May 16, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the Bay Pines VA campus. The event coincides with National Employee Health and Fitness Day and also raises awareness of the hospital’s commitment to ending Veteran Homelessness. (05/14/2012)
Bay Pines VA to Host Memorial Day Ceremony - The Bay Pines VA will commemorate Memorial Day with a ceremony on Monday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. (04/23/2012)
VA Sunshine Healthcare Network Announces New Healthcare System Director - The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne M. Klinker as the new director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. (03/30/2012)
Bay Pines VA Invites Community to “SALUTE VETERANS” - The Bay Pines VA is celebrating National Salute to Veterans Week February 13 through 18 with various activities designed to show Veterans our appreciation for their service to America. (02/09/2012)
Job Fair Targets Employment for Veterans - Job Fair on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. in the J. C. Cobb Room at Bay Pines Medical Center (02/03/2012)
2011
New Study Challenges Accepted Approaches to Research in Senile Dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease) - Impacting millions of families and devouring billions of dollars globally, Alzheimer’s disease is the focus of exhaustive research to find a cure. (11/07/2011)
Bay Pines VA Hosting Homeless Summit - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is hosting its annual Homeless Summit. (10/13/2011)
Bay Pines VA Veterans Day Ceremony - An invitation is extended to all Veterans, their family and friends, and the general public to take this opportunity to honor and thank the men and women who have worn our Nation’s uniform. (10/12/2011)
Bay Pines VA Hosting Stand Down - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is hosting a Stand Down for homeless Veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. (10/12/2011)
VA is Offering FREE Flu Shots to Eligible Veterans - Department of Veterans Affairs is Offering FREE Flu Shots to Eligible Veterans in Charlotte, Collier, Highlands, and Lee Counties. (09/23/2011)
Florida Veteran receives Special Recognition - Pam Kelly, 46, a U.S. Army Veteran of Bay Pines, Fla., has won first place in the special recognition category in this year’s National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF). (08/30/2011)
VA Announces $92 Million in Construction Contract for Bay Pines - New Mental Health Facility to Expand Care (06/02/2011)
Bay Pines VA Memorial Day Ceremony - Bay Pines VA will commemorate Memorial Day with a ceremony on Monday, May 30th at 10:00 am at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. (05/16/2011)
Tobacco-derived compound prevents memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease mice - "We found a compound that protects neurons, prevents the progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, enhances memory and has been shown to be safe," said Valentina Echeverria, PhD, a scientist at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and an assistant professor of Molecular Medicine at USF Health. (04/27/2011)
Bay Pines VA Annual Car Show - The Downshifters of Brooklyn present the Bay Pines Annual Car Show on Sunday May 1st. Admission is FREE to the public. (04/19/2011)
New Radiation Therapy Unit - The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is opening a new Radiation Therapy Unit at its Bay Pines campus on March 21st. (03/07/2011)
