VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS)

Please help congratulate our national winners and local qualifiers in the 2025 National Veterans Creative Arts competition! 👩‍🍳

Co-presented by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Legion Auxiliary, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival empowers Veterans to improve their mental and physical health through therapeutic creative arts experiences. The event reinforces the VA’s commitment to whole health, recovery-oriented care, and Veteran-centered services by celebrating resilience, achievement, and personal growth. Showcasing the intersection of artistry and healing, the event features national Veteran medalists invited for their artistic achievements and therapeutic use of the arts.

Have you downloaded our Couples Coach App? Couples can improve communication and build trust in their relationship. Try exercises to practice active listening so you can navigate conflict better with your partner. https://mobile.va.gov/app/couples-coach

Please see June 2026 Deployment Sites for Central Iowa's Virtual Mobile Clinic. Call 515-401-5452 today to set up an appointment!!

As part of their "Salute to Our Veterans and Active Military" concert tour. Country Music artist Bigg Vinny from Nashville, TN and local artist Jordan Beem, visited VA Central Iowa to entertain and encourage Veterans. THANK YOU, for your interest in caring for our Veterans at VA Central Iowa!

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System hosted a ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Event on Wednesday, May 27, marking the grand opening of its newly renovated Telemetry Clinic at the Des Moines VA Campus.

The newly completed Telemetry Clinic represents a significant investment in Veteran health care in Central Iowa. The planning, construction, and activation of the clinic was completed over the course of one year. Contracted by Covenant Construction Services, it features 10 private rooms, each equipped with advanced telemetric technology to provide precise monitoring and care for Veterans. This renovation aligns with VA’s ongoing mission to modernize and enhance health care infrastructure. The improvements are designed to enhance patient privacy and comfort while streamlining access to specialty services for Veterans throughout Central Iowa.

Speaking on the importance of this milestone, Lisa Curnes, Director of VA Central Iowa Health Care System, emphasized the organization’s commitment to Veterans:
“One of our strategic goals has been to modernize our facilities, equipment, and services to best serve VA Central Iowa Veterans. The new Telemetry Clinic will ensure our providers have the necessary facilities to deliver high-quality care to our growing population of local Veterans.”

To commemorate the opening, the clinic held a ribbon cutting ceremony that began at 1:00 p.m. The event featured a moving performance of the National Anthem by country music singer Bigg Vinny, of the band Trailer Choir from Nashville, TN. Bigg Vinny, along with local country music artist Jordan Beem, visited the Des Moines VA campus as part of their “Salute to our Veterans and Active Military” tour.

Reflecting on his participation, Bigg Vinny said,
“It was an honor to come to VA Central Iowa and help celebrate our Veterans. I know what music does for me and want to share that with Veterans.” The “Salute to Our Veterans and Active Military Tour” includes a concert at Farm Boy Garage at 6:00 PM tonight, Friday, May 29, 2026 and offers free admission to Veterans and Active Military.

Is a Veteran in your life hesitant about reaching out for support?

Sometimes, hearing from someone who has been there makes all the difference.

Hear from Veterans about what encouraged them to seek mental health care. https://www.maketheconnection.net/MHM/

For some Veterans, opening up about mental health can feel scary. Concerns about stigma or judgment can make it hard to reach out.

This Mental Health Month, hear how others overcame these barriers and gave therapy a chance. https://www.maketheconnection.net/mental-health-month/

We’re excited to recognize the completion of the first two Service Line Leader Onboarding Workshop sessions—another important step in building a strong foundation for deployment readiness. Just like any successful build, strong leadership helps keep the structure steady and connected. These sessions focused on equipping leaders with the knowledge, perspective, and tools needed to support end user participation, reinforce communication, and help guide teams through the deployment journey. Leaders engaged in activities intending to prepare them to serve as the bridge between leadership and end users.