Health Education
The staff at the VAMC Wilkes-Barre have provided a number of ways for you to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and self-manage your own health.
Patient Education Center
Our Patient Education Center (Library) is staffed by an experienced librarian and program specialist. The center contains a collection of easy-to-read health and wellness books, respected health education newsletters, videos and other materials.
The Library is located on the 2nd floor of the Medical Center (Silver Area).
My HealtheVet (MHV)
My HealtheVet is the VA’s version of an online Personal Health Record. The My HealtheVet website provides veterans and their families’ reliable patient education information as well as the latest VA News, information about veteran’s benefits and services and tools to track your health. Veterans who get their care at a VA clinic can upgrade their My HealtheVet account to access parts of their health record. Upgrading your My HealtheVet account is accomplished with the In-Person Authentication (IPA) process. Details about this process are included on here on the My HealtheVet site.
Creating an account on My HealtheVet gives you basic access which includes:
- VA prescription refills
- Tools to monitor your personal health data and keep food and activity journals
- The ability to maintain your personal health record
- The ability to view your VA appointments
- The ability to view Chemistry and Hematology lab results
- The ability to view wellness reminders and allergy information
- The ability to send Secure Messages to your participating health care team
- Priority access to new features
Registering for My HealtheVet is Easy:
- Step 1 – Register for an account at www.myhealth.va.gov
You can register from your home computer or anywhere you have internet access.
My HealtheVet computers are available in the library on the second floor to give patients the opportunity to register during their visit. - Step 2 – Upgrade your My HealtheVet account via the In-Person Authentication (IPA) processThis process can be completed at any of the following locations: - The Library located on the 2nd floor of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center & The Outpatient Clinics in Allentown, Berwick, Northampton, Sayre, Tobyhanna, Williamsport
- Step 3 – Opt-In to use Secure Messaging by accepting the Terms & Conditions
The MHV Coordinator at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is Sandy Dompkosky, RN. She can be reached at 570-824-3521 x4297.
Outpatient Education
Clinician staff provide ongoing health education during regularly scheduled outpatient clinic visits. Education is focused on health promotion, upcoming tests or procedures, medications, diagnosis and treatments. During these visits, please ask your clinical staff for further information if your health questions are not answered.
VA Diabetes Education Program
Education on this topic is provided through both group and individual settings. The group accucheck classes and individual diabetes education provides an overview of diabetes and training in the use of the meter. The nutrition classes and individual appointments review carbohydrate meal planning and food labeling. A diabetes self management program is offered several times yearly. This is a more extensive program on topics that include diabetes complications, nutrition, medications, community resources and exercise. Ask your provider for a referral for diabetes education.
MOVE! Weight Management Program
We Are Ready to Partner with You!
A team of health care providers is ready to help you lose weight and keep it off. You will learn how to lose weight safely and be healthy. You will be an active player in this journey and your health care team will be your "Coaches."
Program Features
- Focus on Health and Wellness through healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior change
- Support to help you reach your initial goals with ongoing maintenance
- Lifetime and lifestyle focus
Ready to Get Started?
- Ask your primary care team to refer you to MOVE!
- You will be asked to complete the MOVE!23 questionnaire. You can do this now at: MOVE23
- The MOVE! Nutrition/Individual appointment will enroll you into the program and help find the Support Plan that works best for you.
- Support Plan options include Face to Face, Phone Calls, Home Telehealth - Weight Management using an in Home Messaging Device,
MOVE! Exercise Program, MOVE! Exercises Program, (Groups7 week MOVE! Group Class & Monthly Support Groups), Telephone Lifestyle Coaching (TLC and Video Teleconferences to help you track progress, monitor goals and solve problems.
Wilkes-Barre MOVE! Support Group: 4th Thursday of the Month at 2:00pm - (5th Floor Media Room)
Allentown OPC MOVE! Support Group: 4th Wednesday of the Month at 2:00pm - (Conference Room 167)
Contact Paola Montross at 570-824-3521 x4892 for additional information.
Inpatient Education
Clinical staff begin the patient education process at the time of admission, during the hospital stay, and at discharge. Our goal is to provide a hospital environment where patients —
- continually receive updated health information
- are able to ask questions about their health
- can enjoy as comfortably as possible their stay in our facility
Contact Charmaine Zoller at 570-824-3521 x4096 to assist with your Patient Education Questions.
