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VISN 22

Veterans Health Administration

VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network is one of 21 Healthcare Networks operated nationwide by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We are comprised of eight health care system and 80 community clinics serving over 1.5 million veterans in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern California.

300 Oceangate

Suite 700

Long Beach

CA

90802

562-826-5963

Includes portions of Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

VISN 22 Highlights

  • Featured Stories

    VA San Diego Reaches Veteran Housing Milestone

    The VA Supportive Housing (VASH) program focuses on finding housing for homeless Veterans. VASH just reached a milestone steady-state of housing 2,000 Veterans with housing vouchers at one time.

    There’s a Lot That Goes into Making the Sausage at a VA Hospital

    Diet planning at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is a big job, with over 2,000 meals a day going to the medical center, the Domiciliary and the Community Living Center, as well as the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Community Living Center.

    Purple Heart Recipient, World War II Veteran Receives Healthcare at VA Loma Linda

    William Ahlborn was living on his parents’ farm near Riverside, California when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. He was only 18 years old.

    Never Leave a Brother Behind: How One Veteran Plans to Take Experience with Veterans Legal Institute to Help Others

    Ramon Balanga, retired Navy Veteran established service connection under the PACT Act with support from VA and the Veterans Legal Institute (VLI). Now he’s seeking to help his brothers in service do the same.

    Kayenta VA Clinic Now Providing 5-Day-A-Week Primary Care Services

    The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is officially providing face-to-face primary care services at its rural health clinic located in Kayenta.

    Phoenix VA Holds 18th Annual Creative Arts Festival

    he Phoenix VA Health Care System hosted the 18th annual Creative Arts Festival at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center on June 27. This festival featured original artwork created by Veterans, including fine arts, applied arts, creative writing, and music.

    Veteran Champion Buzz Hickox Soars as Top Peer Support Specialist

    Robert “Buzz” Hickox, a dedicated Peer Support Specialist at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), has been named the VISN 22 Peer Support Specialist (PSS) of the Year.

    Walkin’ and a Rollin’ 2023-VA2K

    The thirteenth annual VA2k took place on May 17, 2023, at USS Bullhead Park under partly cloudy skies with perfect springtime temps, making this the ideal outdoor event of the year.

     

  • VISN 22 Clinical Contact Center - Tele Emergency Care

    VA Health Connect

    VA Health Connect is VA’s virtual health care service that makes it easier for you to get the right care, right now. With VA Health Connect, you can ask questions, get information and even be seen virtually by a VA health care provider:

    • Schedule, verify or reschedule primary care appointments.
    • Talk with a medical provider about your health care needs.
    • Connect with a mental health team.
    • Learn more about care and treatment options.
    • Refill, request medication renewals and check on the status of your medications
    • To speak with a VA health care professional, call 1-877-252-4866.

    Tele Emergency Care

    VISN 22 Tele Emergency Care (formerly Tele Urgent Care) uses VA Video Connect (VVC) to conduct appointments privately and securely in a virtual medical room from anywhere using the camera on your smart phone, computer, or tablet.

    Connect with us through VA Health Chat

    If you have a non-urgent health care question, you can use VA Health Chat to quickly connect with a VISN 22 Clinical Contact Center nurse.

    You can also schedule your next VA appointment quickly and easily using the VA Health Chat app!

    Use VA Health Chat for fast answers when you need to:

    • Schedule a VA appointment
    • Refill a VA prescription
    • Receive medical advice for a non-life-threatening injury or illness

    Download the VA Health Chat app and learn more.

  • Resources for Veterans

    Enroll for VA health care

    With VA health care, you’re covered for regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists (like cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers). You can access Veterans health care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and you can get medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Find out how to apply for and manage the health care benefits you’ve earned.

    VA Welcome Kit

    Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life, and feel free to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too.

    VA Resource Navigator

    The VA Resource Navigator is a resource tool to assist Veterans in finding and using VA resources. The VA Resource Navigator will guide Veterans to popular and frequently sought-after VA tools and resources. The Navigator provides web links, phone numbers, QR codes to VA resources, and other useful information.

    Veterans Health Library

    Taking an active role results in better health. And now you never have to wait for an answer to your health care questions. The Veterans Health Library gives you instant access to thousands of VA-approved health information articles including:

    • Over 1,500 health & drug information sheets in English and Spanish
    • Over 150 health education videos with Spanish language versions in development
    • Online booklets with easy-to-use page turning
    • Hands-on tools and quizzes

    All of the information in the Veterans Health Library is created to follow the VA’s high standards of patient care. Everything is written and designed specifically for Veterans in a way that is easy to understand so you will have the information you need to understand a diagnosis, make treatment decisions, and manage your health on an ongoing basis.

    My HealtheVet

    The My HealtheVet site provides veterans and their families excellent, reliable patient education information as well as the latest VA News. Information about veterans benefits and services is also available. Upon registering with My HealtheVet, you will be able to:

    • Refill prescriptions online
    • Keep personal food and activity journals
    • Monitor your personal health data, such as blood pressure and pain levels
    • Maintain your own self-entered personal health record
    • Send secure messages to your primary care team *
    • Download your lab work (within seven days of being drawn) *
    • View pending and past appointments *

    NOTE: Some features require in-person authentication. You may request your In-Person Authentication through your local Release of Information Office.

  • Emergency Preparedness

    Health Information Card

    An emergency health information card helps first responders know important medical and contact information if they find you unconscious, incoherent or if they need to quickly help you evacuate. Your emergency health information card should include information about any disabilities, medications,  equipment you use, allergies, communication difficulties you may have, preferred treatment and medical providers, and emergency contacts.

    Print this emergency health information card and complete it with a permanent ink pen. Make multiple copies of the card to keep in your emergency supply kit, car, wallet or purse, or wheelchair pack.

    Health Information Card

  • PACT Act Information

    The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

    This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

    This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

Points of Contact

  • Public Affairs

    We are available to assist local media in answering questions about the health care system, locating an expert or obtaining more information about the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Veterans Benefits Administration

    Veterans benefits help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more.

  • Patient Advocates

    If you have a compliment, complaint, or other issue which you believe requires resolution, please contact your VISN 22 facility patient advocate.

Our Leadership

  • Steven E. Braverman

    Network Director

    Steven E. Braverman
  • Bryan E. Arnette

    Deputy Network Director

    Bryan E. Arnette
  • Paneer Selvam

    Chief Medical Officer

    Paneer Selvam
  • Elizabeth Aubry

    Deputy Chief Medical Officer

    Elizabeth Aubry
  • Marla Weiss

    Acting Chief Nurse Officer

    Marla Weiss
  • David Keele

    Chief Financial Officer

    David Keele
  • Carrie DeKorte

    Organizational Excellence Director/Designated Learning Officer

    Carrie DeKorte
  • Therese Cortez

    Quality Management Officer

    Therese Cortez
  • Grant Sloan

    Human Resources Officer

    Grant Sloan

Connect to VA care

When you can't see a VA health care provider in person, here are some ways to connect to VA virtually — by text, chat, secure messaging, online, over the phone, and using apps. Explore each option and decide which is best for you.

Your feedback matters

Is this website or content helpful? Please let us know. This is anonymous and not stored. Please do not provide personal information — it will not be acted upon. Use Ask VA for questions related to services and benefits. If you or someone you know is in crisis, do not use this form, but connect with the Veterans Crisis Line — Call 988 and press 1 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.

We’re here anytime, day or night - 24/7

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net.