WASHINGTON, DC—Concerned about several high-profile, high-cost IT project failures over the last several years, legislators called VA officials to Capital Hill last month to provide reassurance that the agency has learned from its past mistakes.

WASHINGTON, DC—Not all pain is gain. Unmanaged chronic pain in injured servicemembers and veterans can lead to negative health effects that can last a lifetime, speakers said at an educational forum on pain management held at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).

WASHINGTON, DC—A House subcommittee questioned military officials about efforts to prevent and control multidrug-resistant infections at MTFs.

WASHINGTON, DC—A House committee expressed concern to military officials in September about DoD’s plan to save billions of dollars through an efficiency initiative announced by DoD Secretary Robert Gates this year. That plan recommends disestablishing US Joint Forces Command, in addition to directing the services to find more than $100 billion in overhead savings over the next five years, among other proposals.

BETHESDA, MD—“So you see a diagnostic error. That error occurs at the sharp end of medicine,” declared Dr Mark Graber, chief of medical services at the Northport VA Medical Center. “You look at where the diagnostic error occurred, you can always find a clinician, or sometimes two, to point the finger of blame at.

WASHINGTON, DC—“The whole idea is to look at diabetes as the enemy. Instead of just attacking the enemy from one end, you want to attack the enemy from all sides. Surround the enemy.”

BETHESDA, MD—For years now, physicians have been imploring the nation to get more exercise. Pointing to research showing great benefits in overall health and in combating chronic disease, researchers have also been pressing employers to include exercise and nutrition programs into the workplace.

WASHINGTON, DC—Established by Congress in 1997 to respond to the diabetes epidemic in Indian Country, the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) provides funding for diabetes treatment and prevention services for IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health programs.

WASHINGTON, DC—A joint project between Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has made a positive difference in diabetes care for military patients, dependents, and retirees, according to Maj Brian Allenbrand, an endocrinology flight commander at WHMC.

WASHINGTON, DC—At the age of 19, Marvelyn Brown, a college student, was sick in the hospital when she was confronted with the news that she was HIV positive.