By: Krystal A. Hall, ALA VAVS Representative
The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System provides healthcare to service men and women. It is a privilege to help with their healthcare needs. The Ann Arbor Medical Center is a 1A facility, providing the highest level of care complexity. They provide sophisticated levels of care like Neurosurgery, coronary artery bypass, and laparoscopic surgery. It includes the main hospital, several outpatient clinics, the Community Living Center (CLC) providing extended care, three research buildings, five administrative outbuildings, two parking garages, and the Fisher House. The Ann Arbor System has clinics in Adrian, Canton, Howell, Jackson, Flint, Lansing, Toledo, and Findley (Ohio), providing service to over 72,000 Veterans living in a 15-county area of Michigan and Ohio during the past fiscal year.
The main hospital in Ann Arbor operates 114 acute care beds, where stays average less than 7 days. They also have a Community Living Center that accommodates another 40 patients. The facility saw over 700,000 outpatient and nearly 6000 inpatient procedures. The Medical Center Staff also provided 140,634 Telehealth visits.
The Fisher House is a ‘beautiful home away from home’ offering temporary lodging for families of those undergoing care at the VA facilities. Since its opening in June of 2020, The Fisher House has hosted more than 11,000 individual guests, including 164 children. Most guests stay for about four days, but the longest was 219 days. They saw guests from 33 different states, eight countries across three continents.
The Auxiliary Annual Gift Shop was held on November 2427. Thanks to the help from members from the 2nd and 18th Districts, whose units showed support with cash and in-kind donations totaling over $6,500. 24 volunteers donated 124 hours, helping 74 veterans select 284 gifts that were sent to their families.
During the past fiscal year, volunteers continued to have a strong impact at The Ann Arbor Health System. The Management Team reported that in-kind donations increased to $663,969, and $115,508 in monetary contributions had been received. The number of volunteers increased to 253, and volunteer hours significantly increased to 26,005. Total impact of volunteer involvement and donations exceeded $1.6 million, a 19% increase.
American Legion Auxiliary involvement and dedication for the Year 20242025 were very positive/proactive. Volunteer hours increased 55%, Monetary donations increased 180%, and the total estimated value of nonmonetary donations increased 60%.
I hope to recruit volunteers to support several new and ongoing initiatives/programs, including the Compassionate Contact Corps (CCC), where volunteers will communicate with Veterans off-site. Currently, there are 45 Veterans enrolled. We are working with the Red Cross to promote blood drives now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted. We still have the CLC Saturday afternoon Bingo program. My Life My Story–a Veteran Experience program where the Veteran is interviewed and their story is compiled and included in their medical record. There is also “Veteran Whole Health,” which will help Veterans receive more life support, including primary care, volunteer help/support, recreational therapy, life guidance, family support care, and arts and crafts opportunities.
The goal is to provide the best care and support for our country’s Veterans and their families. As I complete my 13th year as the Department of Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Representative to the Ann Arbor Medical System, I have two goals and/or projects. First, the goal is to provide support to ALA Members and the Ann Arbor staff in fulfilling both existing and new volunteer opportunities. Secondly, to facilitate donations to fulfill special needs identified by the Medical Staff. Lastly, to host successful events, like the Gift Shop, Father’s Day, and the Annual Baby Shower, while also developing new opportunities.
In closing, I am honored and humbled to have the opportunities to work with such dedicated staff and supporters, especially ‘my Deputy’ Ethel Putala–thanks, Ethel, for all you do.