VA ECHCS News
Navy Birthday
Established on Oct. 13, 1775, the U.S. Navy has protected our nation from both the air and on the sea for 251 years. From all of us here at VA ECHCS, thank you to all our Navy Veterans. Happy birthday, Navy!
Pharmacy Service Urgent/Emergent Medication Update
Pharmacy is changing from Heritage Health urgent/emergent pharmacy services to the Community Care Network (CCN) Pharmacy Immediate Need Benefit. See the PowerPoint for full information on the new program.
This switch will occur on Nov. 1 and will impact what information patients need to present to participating pharmacies to receive medication at no cost. This will also impact providers who currently use the Heritage program as they will need to provide the correct TriWest information to Veterans in place of the Heritage Certificate.
New VA Pre-Appointment Screening Tool
The BHL-Screener, formally e-screening, streamlines the collection and processing of Clinical Reminder questionnaires by automating Veteran outreach. It also reduces staff workload and enables Veterans to complete important screenings before their appointments, thereby giving their primary care physician a more complete picture of the Veteran’s medical issues.
This new feature allows providers to text or email a secure link to a Veteran for convenient completion from anywhere. When the requested assessments are completed, the provider is immediately notified via email, and they can then review the results, track the patient’s progress over time, and seamlessly upload them to the electronic health record.
The benefits of this technology include:
- expanded implementation of measurement-based care (MBC)
- more accurate and efficient documentation of care
- increased overall patient and provider satisfaction
See an example message from VA to know what to look for in the coming weeks.
Mental Illness Awareness Week: Every Connection Matters
Your mental health matters—and so do your goals, relationships, and the things that give your life meaning. During Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 4-10, we encourage you to consider what matters most to you and take a step toward the support you need. VA’s approach to mental health care focuses on recovery, builds on your strengths, and respects your needs and preferences.
Find the support that fits
- Start a conversation. Tell your VA care team how you are feeling and what you would like help with. Ask about mental health support through primary care, same-day access options (walk in or call in services available at most site between 0800-1600 Mon – Fri).
- Connect with a peer support staff. VA peer support staff are Veterans with personal experience of mental health recovery. They can help you identify strengths, build skills, and work toward your recovery goals. Ask your VA mental health provider about a referral.
- Share concerns about your safety. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel unable to stay safe, tell your care team or contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1 at the prompt. You do not have to navigate those feelings alone.
- Make a plan while awaiting services. Ask your care team whom to contact if your needs change and what support is available between appointments.
Learn more about VA mental health care and its recovery-focused approach. For stories from Veterans who have faced mental health challenges and found support, visit Make the ConnectionMake the Connection. Their experiences may help you see possibilities for your own path forward.
Explore tools and connections
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VA Eastern Colorado Whole Health resources offer ways to focus on your values, goals, and well-being.
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VA mobile mental health apps provide tools for concerns such as stress, sleep, and coping with trauma.
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VA online self-paced courses offer free resources on sleep, problem-solving, anger management, and recovery. Apps and courses can complement—but do not replace—professional care.
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Vets4Warriors offers confidential peer support for the military community, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 855-838-8255 to talk with a peer. This service provides ongoing support and is not a crisis line.
Support when you need it
If you or a Veteran you know is in crisis, call 988 and press 1, or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Support is available around the clock. If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
This week—and every week—take one step toward connection: talk with your care team, ask about peer support services, or explore a resource that fits your goals. Your voice matters, and you deserve support on your path to recovery.
Veteran Flu Clinics
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) Pharmacy has received its initial shipment of flu vaccines. Vaccinations are available during primary care and specialty care appointments, excluding the Garden of the Gods and Jewel VA Clinics, during normal operating hours.
Dedicated walk-in centralized vaccinations clinics are currently taking place at:
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center: Building G3, Rooms 100 and 102, Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic: Near fireplace, Monday through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Nov. 30.
Dunn VA Clinic: Every Thursday in October, except for Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Flu vaccines will remain available throughout the flu season (typically extending into spring) via walk-in visits at all locations.
Mosley Clinic Construction
VA ECHCS started a drainage and landscaping project at the Lt. Col. John W. Mosley VA Clinic in Aurora on Monday, Sept. 28.
The project is expected to last about two months, with work anticipated to conclude Nov. 30. Construction will occur on one side of the clinic at a time, beginning on the west side.
Additional construction on the foundation of the clinic is expected to take place in the spring.
RMR Drive-Thru Baby Shower & Resource Fair
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) held its sixth annual Drive-Thru Veterans Baby Shower on Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, located in Denver, for new and expectant veteran mothers.
Check out the VA ECHCS Facebook page for video of the event.
Advance Care Planning
The Eastern Colorado Advance Care Planning website is now available to support Veterans, families, and care teams in having meaningful conversations about future health care preferences. This resource provides clear guidance, group visit information, and tools to help ensure every Veteran’s values and goals are understood and honored.
She-Ro Walk and Roll
Come out and be a "she-ro" and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by attending a resource fair on Oct. 20, from 9-11 a.m. on the RMR Concourse. Then, joining walk and roll meeting at the south entrance of RMR on the same day at 11:15 a.m. to show your support.
Additionally, you can also learn more about breast cancer awareness from your Mammogram Team.
Whether participating in the walk or not, VA ECHCS encourages everyone to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
Whole Health Needs Assessment - 2026
Whole Health has a voluntary questionnaire to help determine what offerings Veterans want, as well as where and when they would want them to optimize access for them in FY27.
The questionnaire takes between five and eight minutes to complete for Veterans who are enrolled in VA ECHCS.
The survey will be open until Oct. 31.
For more information, and to see the full flyer, click the image above.
Veteran Socials - Denver, Pueblo
A place where Veterans can meet up with fellow Veterans and their support chain. All military affiliated and friends are welcome, no RSVP required.
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Denver:
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When: 2:30–4:30 p.m., every other Fri. (Oct. 16, 30 and Nov. 13)
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Where: Logan House Coffee, 7111 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO
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Questions: Contact George Romero at 720-329-8516
Pueblo:
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When: 10–11 a.m., second Thursday of each month. (Nov. 12, Dec. 10)
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Where: Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave., Pueblo, CO
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Questions: Contact George Romero at 720-329-8516
Women Veteran Socials
Come join other local Women Veterans to connect and socialize! Any Woman Veteran in Eastern Colorado is welcome to participate in any of the meetups. Click the image to the left for dates, times and locations.
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American Indian & Alaska Native Smudging Ceremony & Talking Circle
A Native American and Alaska Native Smudging & Talking Circle Ceremony is a sacred gathering that combines two important traditional practices. Smudging involves burning herbs such as sage, cedar, or sweetgrass to cleanse participants, spaces, and objects, fostering spiritual healing and purification. The Talking Circle provides a safe and respectful environment where individuals sit together to share thoughts, feelings, and stories, ensuring that everyone has an equal voice and is listened to without judgment. Together, these practices honor cultural heritage, promote unity, and support the well-being of all participants.
Get ready for an incredible experience, as we warmly invite everyone to join us in participating in a Talking Circle or Smudging Ceremony! This moving opportunity will allow you to experience a Talking Circle or Smudging Ceremony and learn what they're all about.
Registration is required. To register, please contact Ricky Lott at 720-723-6700 or by email at ricky.lott@va.gov. Please include your first and last name, phone number, and email address. These events will be held:
- The third Monday of each month (next event, August 17), 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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