ORLANDO  – The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) continues to support the Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Fourth Mission” in helping Floridians during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The OVAHCS is committed to helping our region respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Timothy Cooke, OVAHCS Director/CEO. “Caring for Veterans is our first mission, but across, we are also helping in the local community.”

As part of a statewide tasking through an official FEMA Mission Assignment, teams are providing support to community nursing homes in the area. The six- person teams include a Physician or Advanced Nurse Practitioner, 2 RNs, 2 Nursing Assistants, and 1 Therapist (Occupational/Physical Therapist). Additional teams are on stand-by should they be needed.

Support has been provided to 30 long term care facilities across the state. Depending on facility needs, our teams have provided staff augmentation, training and education on proper use of PPE and infection control, assisting with review of standard operating procedures and recommendations for modifications for COVID-19 cases to protect patients and staff from exposure.

“Our team was assigned to a community senior living facility on April 26, 2020, to assist in the direct care of patients diagnosed with COVID-19,” says Team Lead Dr. Juan Gonzalez-Concepcion. “For 8 days the team worked 12-hour shifts to ensure patients were getting the medical care they deserve in these difficult times. As a leader of the team, I can't be prouder of this team's hard work, dedication, knowledge and compassion towards all the patients. They are never afraid of taking care of the patients, and always with a big smile that surely made a difference in each of the patients. Definitely a pride to emulate, they were an excellent example of the care the VA provides to our patients.”

VISN 8 Teams have been invaluable to the facilities supported, with at least one county health department director reporting their engagement has saved lives.

VA traditionally provides Veterans’ healthcare, benefits and memorial affairs. In times of national crisis, such as the current Coronavirus pandemic, VA can also provide services to the nation based on requests from states. This is known as VA’s Fourth Mission.