A Look Back on 2012

Image: 2013 written in multi-colored sparklers on a black background [via]

WBRC would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2013.

There were several big events for WBRC in 2012 including settling into our temporary home in Menlo Park, the demolition of our old building, and the beginning construction of our permanent home in Palo Alto.   As we prepare for 2013, lets take a look back at 2012.

The following are links to some of our favorite WBRC Blog posts from 2012:

Photo: Niki Sandlan, Service Chief for Blind Rehabilitation Services, and John Kingston, CNVR Supervisor, standing in front of the NVT Light Panel with Mr. Kingston's framed certification as an 'NVT Trainer'.  This is the first NVT Trainer certification obtained by a clinician in the United States.  Photograph by Brian Higgins.

WBRC Staff First Clinician in the U.S. Qualified as an 'NVT Trainer'

Photos of the WBRC Open House

WBRC Hosts Open House 

Picture: The front entrance of building 48 after demolition begins.

Building 48 Demolition Begins 

John Kingston, WBRC CNVR Coordinator, presents on the CNVR Program.

WBRC Hosts Northern California Regional Meeting 

Visually impaired veterans and volunteers wait to cross the street on Forest Avenue in Palo Alto during a walk to celebrate "White Cane Awareness Day" on Oct. 24, 2012. Photo by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online.

2012 White Cane Walk a Success

Aerial view of the beginning construction of the foundation

Construction Begins on New Polytrauma and Blind Center

Additionally; the WBRC will be closed for business on: 
Tuesday January 1st  

The WBRC RN station may be reached by calling:
(650) 493-5000
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24623
-or-
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24823

You may also leave a message at the WBRC Direct Line at:
(650) 614-9952

WBRC Welcomes Two New Staff Members

Photo: New WBRC Recreation Therapists Lindsay Conner and Rachel Smith

Photo by: Brian Higgins

The WBRC is proud to welcome two new staff members to the team: 

Lindsay Conner has accepted the position of the CNVR Recreation Therapist.  Mrs. Conner’s start date was November 19^th, 2012 and she is working part-time at the WBRC and part-time in the inpatient polytrauma unit.  Mrs. Conner has Master’s Degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from San Jose State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University.  She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) accredited by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).  Mrs. Conner completed her internship program at VAPAHCS in the polytrauma inpatient and PTRP units in 2012.

Rachel Smith has accepted the position of WBRC Recreation Therapist.  Ms. Smith’s start date was October 8^th, 2012.  Ms. Smith has Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration with an option in Therapeutic Recreation.  She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) accredited by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and she is Recreation Therapist Certified (RTC) by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification (CBRPC).  Ms. Smith completed her internship program at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach in a locked psychiatric unit . Ms. Smith has worked at the VA for 3 ½ years at the Community Living Center.

Welcome to the WBRC team Lindsay and Rachel!

Season's Greetings from the WBRC

 Image: 'Season's Greetings' card with patriotic red, white, and blue wrapped gift

The WBRC would like to wish all Veterans and their families a very happy and safe holiday season and to express our gratitude of your service to our country.

Additionally; the WBRC will be closed for business on: 
Tuesday December 25th
Tuesday January 1st  

The WBRC RN station may be reached by calling:
(650) 493-5000
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24623
-or-
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24823

You may also leave a message at the WBRC Direct Line at:
(650) 614-9952

Construction Begins on New Polytrauma and Blind Center

Aerial view of the beginning construction of the foundation

Construction of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center has begun.  The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus.  This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center. 

Beginnings of the foundation - looking towards covered walkway & building 2

 At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA.  The Rehabilitation Center includes 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.

Construction site looking towards building 4 and main hospital.

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.

Rendering of the new Polytrauma and Blind Center

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in January 2015.
  
CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

Veterans Day 2012 Message from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Photo: An American flag ripples in the breeze.

           Today, America honors the men and women whose profound acts of citizenship — service in the armed forces of the United States of America — have safeguarded our country for 237 years and guaranteed our rights as Americans to choose our leaders.

            Twenty-two million living Americans today have distinguished themselves by their service in uniform.  Their devotion and sacrifice have been the bedrock of our sovereignty as a Nation, our values as a people, our security as a democracy, and our offer of hope to those in other lands, who dream our dreams of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

            For the past 11 years, the men and women of our armed forces have stood watch in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, Korea, and more than 150 other countries around the globe.  More than 1.5 million Veterans have served in the combat theaters of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa.  Since 9/11, nearly 3 million Veterans have departed the military, having fulfilled their duty to the Nation, and become eligible for the benefits and services we offer here at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  

            We are often reminded that, today, less than 1 percent of Americans wear the uniforms of our Nation.  The sum of their service to the country, however, is beyond measure.  Our rights and privileges as American citizens have been their gifts to each of us.  We must not take those gifts for granted.  On behalf of the American people, each of us here at VA has the responsibility of caring for these giants among us.  Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence — I CARE — are our watchwords.

            VA is renewing our country’s historic covenant with its Veterans.  By leveraging 21^st century technology and empowered by a dedicated workforce, over one-third of whom are Veterans themselves, VA is boldly transforming itself in healthcare and benefits delivery, and in memorial affairs, to better serve all Veterans.

            Our goals remain unchanged:  increase access to VA benefits and services; eliminated the backlog in compensation claims in 2015; and end Veteran's homelessness, as well, in 2015.  In this Department, every day is Veterans Day.  We celebrate their contributions, take pride in their achievements, and as their national advocates, care, nurture, and protect them as well as the protected all of us. 

            I extend my thanks and admiration to our Nation’s Veterans on this, their special day of recognition, and I express my deep appreciation to my colleagues at VA for their dedication, their loyalty, and their partnership in this noble mission.

Eric K. Shinseki

Secretary of Veterans Affairs   

Additionally: the WBRC will be closed for business on Monday November 12th, 2012 in observance of Veterans Day. 

The WBRC RN station may be reached by calling:
(650) 493-5000
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24623
-or-
select 1, then select 2, then enter 24823

You may also leave a message at the WBRC Direct Line at:
(650) 614-9952

Please have a happy and safe Veterans Day.