Veteran experience at the forefront of collaborative jesse brown and hines va resource fair | va hines health care | veterans affairs

Over 400 Chicago area Veterans attended a joint Veteran Resource Fair hosted by Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center on October 12 at Governors State University.

Representatives from various government agencies assisted Veterans with VA healthcare benefits and helped them file claims. Nonprofit organizations also offered resources and support.  Hines

had a large presence at the resource fair with employees from Eligibility, Beneficiary Travel, Intimate Partner Violence Support, Suicide Prevention, Whole Health, Patient

Experience/Patient Advocate, Outreach, MyHealtheVet, Caregiver Support, Hines Homeless Program, Peer Support, and M2VA on site to provide resources to Veterans.   “Everyone was so happy and

grateful for the organizations to come out and support them,” said Hines outreach coordinator Robin Brooks. “Lots of Veterans stated they were finally able to get some answers to some

pressing issues and concerns.”  Hines Associate Director of Patient Care Services Sherri Johnson echoed Brooks’ statement.  “Seeing the camaraderie between the Veterans, staff and vendors

was amazing,” said Johnson. “I heard “Thank you for doing this” over and over.”  One Veteran who spoke with Johnson said he had never gotten care at the VA before but was pleasantly

surprised to hear about the excellent opportunities for VA healthcare. He explained to her his intent to obtain his DD214 and enroll.   The Veteran was one of 44 who signed up for VA

healthcare during the resource fair. Eight received toxic exposure screenings.  Johnson spoke with several vendors who said they were excited at the number of Veterans and were looking

forward to partnering with Hines and Jesse Brown in the future.  Brooks also took note of the overall enthusiasm.  One of her biggest takeaways was the teamwork and collaborative

relationships between not for profit, local, state, and federal agencies.  “With so many Veterans in attendance, it was great seeing everyone come together and assist in connecting them with

other organizations or services,” said Brooks.  For Johnson, the resource fair demonstrated Hines’ commitment to serving Veterans and meeting them wherever they are at.   “Partnering with

our colleagues at Jesse Brown allows us to expand our outreach and circle to reach even more Veterans,” said Johnson.