2019 Veterans Council Fall Newsletter

About Us A HRSA-Recognized Employee Resource Group

About Us October 2019 Newsletter

The Veterans Council is an On November 11th, we celebrate Veterans Day. This day is
organization chartered by the the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended
the World War I hostilities between the Allied Nations and
Health Resources and Germany in 1918. Each year on this day, Veterans take great
Services Administration pride in our military service on this day, most commonly by
(HRSA), Office of Civil Rights, saying to one another “thank you for serving!” On behalf of
Diversity & Inclusion to assist the Veterans Council, we would like to thank each and every
in cultivating an inclusive soldier, who has served and is currently serving our great
workplace climate that country. Thank you for all you have done for each and every
one of us. We are eternally grateful for the freedom you
enables each HRSA have afforded American citizens through your sacrifices.
employee to participate fully in Thank YOU for serving!

assisting HRSA to meet its
mission.

Veterans Council - Veterans Council

Fall Newsletter

2019 Disabled Veteran Benefits: In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, the Executive Branch of the
Federal Government hired 57,062 veterans, representing a veteran new hire
Come out and percentage rate of 28.1 percent. Veterans currently represent 31.1 percent of the
support Veterans Day Federal workforce. Disabled veteran leave is provided to a Federal employee hired on
or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating
on November 5th, of 30 percent or more, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability
2019. On the 5th floor for which sick leave could regularly be used. Disabled veteran leave is available as a
one-time benefit during a 12-month period beginning on an eligible employee's "first
pavilion. day of employment" and may not exceed 104 hours for a regular full-time employee.
From 9am-11am, and
there will be displays If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria and would like to use disabled veteran
leave, please contact [email protected]
and games from
11am-2pm in the Please be prepared to submit documentation that supports that you are a veteran with
a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
atrium.
The event will be For more information, visit OPM's Pay & Leave Fact Sheet about Disabled Veteran
recorded for later Leave.

viewing! Please Click Here for more information on disabled veteran leave.

New Legislation: President Trump signed a measure on August 21st, 2019 that seeks
to remove the bureaucratic barriers for permanently disabled veterans to qualify for
student loan forgiveness. To learn more about this new legislation please visit:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/us/trump-veterans-student-loans.html

Rear

Background:
Rear Admiral Kerry Paige Nessler began her career in Nursing. She earned a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and is a fellow of the
American Academy of Nursing. From 1984-1986 she held a commission in the U.S.
Army Reserves. She holds the rank of Rear Admiral (upper half), Assistant Surgeon
General, in the USPHS Commissioned Corps, and was appointed Director of the
Office of Global Health (OGH) at the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in May, 2006. As
Director of the Office of Global Health, Nesseler developed strategies to maximize
HRSA's participation in efforts to advance health diplomacy, improve health systems,
coordinate and advance international health policy and resource development,
especially for vulnerable populations both domestically and worldwide. Additionally,
RADM Nesseler serves as a consultant to the HHS Secretary's Office of Global
Affairs, other HHS agencies, United Nations, World Health Organization, Pan
American Health Organization, and other international groups on a variety of health
and nursing issues, including health professions migration, Pacific Basin and U.S.-
Mexico Border Health. RADM Nesseler was Instrumental in advocating for the
development of the HRSA Veterans Council. As the Executive, she has continued to
guide, support, share her expertise and provide a sense of validation to the Veterans
Council Officers. We salute and thank her for her service to the nation as well as to
the Veterans Council and wish her all the best as she begins a new chapter in her life.
Congratulations RADM Nesseler on your retirement and for a job well done!

Please for our monthly Would you like to be a part of the Veterans Council?
The Veterans Council Officers propose the following three
Veterans Council meeting. The Committees to assist the leadership team and Council members in
fulfilling the purpose of the Council: Membership Committee,
Dial-in and Adobe Connect Community Outreach and Veteran Recruitment Committee, and the
Engagement and Retention Committee. The Committees will serve
details are listed below. The to increase membership, raise awareness of Veteran issues,
promote engagement and retention of current members, design
meeting is held the 3rd training, inform members of professional development
opportunities, and improve Veteran recruitment at HRSA.
Wednesday of every month.

Conference Room: 07SWH01
Conference Call #: 1-866-564-
3016

Passcode: 9429352

Adobe Connect:

Next Meeting November 20th!

Could you possibly be more stress-free? Veteran Podcast: Borne the Battle is an Official VA
Yoga-Pilates for veterans is gaining traction in podcast that spotlights inspiring Veteran stories, and more.
popularity, and rapidly increasing as a form of Hosted by Marine Corps Veteran Tanner Iskra, Borne the
treatment for stress reduction. The practice has Battle recognizes each battle, challenge and sacrifice our
helped thousands achieve mental and physical Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as
healing. Pilates was invented for military Veterans spotlight important resources, officers, and benefits VA
because it levitates pressure on many parts of the offers out Veterans. Here is the link:
body that can become injured.
The Council invites you to participate in: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1171416564

Yoga-Pilates DVD Sessions Borne the Battle
5600 Building, 5th Floor Fitness Studio
• Monday’s from 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Thursday’s from 11:00 am - 11:45 am.
Contact: [email protected] 4.8 Stars

Have you signed up? Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-
long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and
American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences,
during and after their years of service to our country. Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving
Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA. The Veteran Tickets Foundation is proud to
announce that to date 8,003,494 event tickets have been given out in all 50 States and Washington, DC to our
Military, Veterans and their families. Here are the numbers of tickets given:

The Veterans Council
invites you to:

October Walk Social
Event

Walk with your Military Veteran Co-
Workers on Rock Creek Trail -
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nov. 5th Veterans Symposium

5th floor pavilion

Featuring guest speakers Tom Engels,
RADM Nesseler and Matt DeMaio!

Activities, floor panel, and refreshments!

From 9am-11am, and there will be
displays and games from 11am-2pm in

the atrium.

HRSA Veteran Clinic

When: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH AT
11:00AM TO 1:00PM

Veterans will have the opportunity to learn about
Disabled Veterans Leave, address their SF-50s,

DD-214 forms and talk to benefit specialist.

This is a great opportunity to meet the needs
and concerns of our veterans. Hope to see you

there!

CONTACT US

[email protected]

VETERANS COUNCIL OFFICERS

Acting President - Marian Smithey

Vice President - Marian Smithey

Secretary - Maria Wey
OCRDI Liaison to the Veterans Employment Program Manager – Mary Tom

Newsletter Editor- Brianna Smith

REMEMBER: You can always speak to one of
your Veterans Council Officers about your needs

or concerns.
We are here for you!!