Where can I find a VA hospital with a great pulmonologist and pulmonary rehabilitation?

SP5 Grover Crail — Tue, 21 May 2019 17:02:26 -0400

Looking for a good and I mean great VA hospital In Florida, maybe Georgia or Alabama. They MUST have a great pulmonologist (lung) department along with pulmonary rehabilitation or be using outside pulmonary rehabilitation services close by. Expertise with treatment in emphysema is a must. Cost of living has to be reasonable. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 21 at 2019 5:04 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 21 May 2019 17:04:54 -0400

The only way to find great medical / dental attention. Get referrals! SP5 Grover Crail

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made May 21 at 2019 6:11 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Tue, 21 May 2019 18:11:20 -0400

While what CSM Charles Hayden wrote is always good advice, you can always find VA facilities by going to this site: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

Find VA Locations

Find a VA medical center, clinic, hospital, national cemetery, or VA benefit office near you. You can search by city, state, zip code, or service. You'll get wait times and directions.

Response by SP5 Grover Crail made May 21 at 2019 8:55 PM

SP5 Grover Crail — Tue, 21 May 2019 20:55:34 -0400

Here is my problem and why I asked the question. I can look up every VA facility in the country but it then takes someone who is or has been a patient in a hospital in the area I want to go to really help me. Example. Iowa city has 18 pulmonologist on staff, great reputation and is associated with the University of Iowa hospital. That is all a big A+ but weather in winter with lung disease in Iowa is doable but is a downer. This past winter I actually moved to the Biloxi Mississippi area. Beautiful facility. BUT no emergency facilities to speak of, don't take ambulances, first appointment was postponed for 92 days. When they discovered I was in civilian hospital with possible heart attack my original appointment magically reappeared. Sorry would not send my dog there. I actually went there to finish my time on this earth, walk in the sand, feel the water lap on my feet. I really harbor ill feelings towards them. Others may think they are great and more power to them but every service I received was just plain lousy and sub par. So now you know why I want specific references for the hospitals I am asking about. Thanks.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2019 10:23 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 May 2019 10:23:54 -0400

I used to work at the VA hospital in Augusta, GA. Cost of living is pretty cheap. It’s a large VA facility. There are also several large hospitals in Augusta so if the VA did not have that specialty the odds of getting sent out through CHOICE or the MISSION act would be a lot better chance of getting a provider with so many large hospitals around.

I loved the area down there and I loved working at that VA. I felt it was one of the better ones.

Response by PO3 John Fahrer made May 23 at 2019 12:44 PM

PO3 John Fahrer — Thu, 23 May 2019 12:44:24 -0400

I have COPD and a history of lung blood clots. The Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO has been a real blessing for me. The VA Hospital is right across the street from the University Hospital and a good number of doctors work at both. This is worthy of you looking closer at the VA in Columbia, MO>

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 23 at 2019 1:13 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 23 May 2019 13:13:42 -0400

I follow about pulmonology, however, I'd also seriously consider physiatry, or phys med and rehab (PM&R), who typically supervise PT and OT in most hospitals, as it's called, ask them, also...normally, they're rather closer to orthopedics, though not always...just a thought, to help you possibly broaden your whole thought process, purely as a suggestion...lemme give the whole thing more thought as well, if I find anything, I'll try to send it, OK?

Response by CPT Thomas Meehan made May 23 at 2019 7:44 PM

CPT Thomas Meehan — Thu, 23 May 2019 19:44:23 -0400

My father was a WWII vet and received excellent treatment at South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital.
https://www.southtexas.va.gov/locations/directions.asp

directions.asp

Response by CPT Thomas Meehan made May 23 at 2019 7:48 PM

CPT Thomas Meehan — Thu, 23 May 2019 19:48:03 -0400

There is a Fisher House directly across from the main hospital if needed.

Response by Tawanna Bryles made Oct 22 at 2019 12:26 PM

Tawanna Bryles — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:26:01 -0400

Little Rock Arkansas

Response by Tawanna Bryles made Oct 22 at 2019 12:29 PM

Tawanna Bryles — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:29:37 -0400

The one in Arkansas do

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 22 at 2019 1:44 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 13:44:59 -0400

Most VA Hospitals are linked to a Medical Teaching University. The VA I worked with was associated with the Stanford Medical University, most (not all) of the Physicians were Associate Professors at Stanford. I would imagine (although I cannot verify this), those VA's working with a Medical University of some sort will have better than average care giver. As to cost of living...MD's who are going onto more advanced levels of being providers incur huge debt, they need to find a place/area that will pay for their specialty. Going to a low cost area of living does not equate to paying off their debt.
That said, some places may use an incentive to bring MD's and nurses in by paying off their debt for prolonged commitments. Of the States you picked, I believe the VA near Augusta is on the same compound as the Medical University of Georgia (I think there is actually a third hospital there, but it has been well over 20 years since I was in that area).