FAYETTEVILLE – Veterans in and around Columbus County can enroll in the VA health care system and receive health information about various services available to them from representatives of the Fayetteville VA Medical Center Rural Health Outreach team Saturday, Nov. 14.

The medical center’s rural health team will conduct a health information fair in conjunction with the American Legion Post 521 “Veterans Breakfast and Heath Benefits Seminar” set to take place at the Pleasant Union Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 1437 East Arcadia Road, Riegelwood (East Arcadia), N.C. 28456. The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

The rural health team can provide information on diabetes management, controlling hypertension and cholesterol levels, women’s health care, mental health services and other specialized programs available to Veterans. Additionally, an eligibility and enrollment specialist will be on-hand to accept Veterans’ enrollments on site.

Factors such as geographic location, barriers to transportation, and logistical obstacles can make it difficult for some Veterans to obtain health care. This access challenge is particularly true for Veterans living in rural areas. Rural Health teams shrink the distance between the VA and the rural Veteran, bringing VA health care ‘closer to home.’

Anyone who served in the U.S. military is invited to attend the event. Veterans are highly encouraged to bring copies of their DD Form 214 (discharge paperwork) and last year’s financial information to expedite enrollment in the system.

For more information about the event, contact Ophelia Munn-Goins, at 910-620-6230 or e-mail munngoins@yahoo.com; or Dalphine Jenkins at 910-386-2667 or email ladydgi@yahoo.com. For information about the Fayetteville VAMC Rural Health Team, contact Michael Shaw at 910-488-2120, Ext. 7098.

Staff report