Womens Journey 2012
Jill LaMantia of VA Health Care Western New York speaks to Women Veterans.
Forty-eight women Veterans attended the first annual Journey to Wellness and Beyond presentation at VA Western New York Healthcare System in Buffalo, Saturday, March 24. Jill LaMantia, Women Veterans Program Manager coordinated the event as an opportunity to provide women’s health updates and information about VA services, in addition to the premiere showing of the film documentary “Service: When Women Come Marching Home.”
The room was filled with colorful displays, VA staff and community agency representatives along with women Veterans ranging in age from in their twenties to eighties. Sue Quirk, Army Veteran from Angola, New York stated “This is a wonderful idea. Knowledge is power.” Her friend Jane Bigelow, an Air Force Veteran from Buffalo added her perspective as “tying it all together for women’s health.”
Lab manager Manola DeMunda talked about various lab services available and Donna Todino, Radiology Tech discussed services such as ultrasound and mammography. Health promotion, disease prevention and nine healthy messages were discussed with the group.
Linda Nosbisch, a service officer for NY State Division of Veterans Affairs, NY Army National Guard Chaplain and VA Pathfinder volunteer shared, “It’s good to see the support for female Veterans. It’s the start of bigger and better things.”
Some tears were shed during the documentary and Alicia, who was in the documentary, introduced herself and answered questions from the group. It was impressive to see the show of support to her and others who bravely shared their stories in the documentary.
The Women’s Wellness Primary Care Center in Buffalo has been operational since 1995. It is continuing to make an impact for women Veterans in Western New York with this event and enhancements in the facilities, services and care women Veterans have earned. Army Veteran Kathy Belleville from Cheektowaga summed it up, “To have everything in one place, it’s phenomenal.”
