NY/NJ Healthcare Network

VA Press Release DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS James J. Peters VA Medical Center 130 W Kingsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10468 718-741-4273 718-741-4269 Fax Contact: James E. Connell, III Director of Community and Government Relations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 22, 2006 James J. Peters VAMC Social Worker, Jeanne Saporito, Garners Public Health Grant in National Competition Bronx, NY - The Public Health Strategic Health Care Group (PHSHG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced winners of the 2006 Public Health Grants. Jeanne Saporito, Social Worker at the James J. Peters VAMC, is one of only 30 recipients to garner awards in the national competition. The $1,400 grant will be used to develop and disseminate materials about the prevention, testing and treatment of HIV. "I'm thrilled to get the news," said Saporito, "This is a very special program. The grant will help me reach out to our veterans with important information about how they can help to safeguard themselves against HIV as well as information about the treatment options offered by VA for individuals who are already HIV positive." The goal of this national competition is to encourage the development of VA education and prevention materials and programs on public health concerns. Grant funding can be used to develop educational materials and purchase supplies that increase patient awareness, to coordinate activities and events that improve provider training, and to establish screening and other initiatives that promote treatment adherence and healthy living with chronic conditions. The wide-ranging competition was open to all VA health care providers and other VA employees in VA Medical Centers, VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, Domiciliaries, and Vet Centers. Funds for this program come from unrestricted grants for educational purposes made to the Public Health Strategic Health Care Group from multiple pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies. For more information, please contact Jim Connell, Director of Community and Government Relations, at 718-584-9000, Extension 6620. # # # People wishing to receive e-mail from VA with the latest news releases and updated fact sheets can subscribe at the following Internet address: http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm. Plug-Ins & File Format Information | Contact the NY/NJ Network Webmaster