Senator Warner visited the Salem VA Medical Center today and met with about a dozen female military veterans and hospital staff to discuss some of the unique challenges faced by female veterans upon their return from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This roundtable discussion was similar to one Senator Warner hosted in Norfolk last December, right after he successfully passed legislation that directs the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to study how it treats female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.  Today, he reported that the VA’s Inspector General had begun the study and would issue a detailed workplan by the end of April.

But the conversation expanded beyond just PTSD into other areas where the VA might improve services for female veterans. The female vets, who served in wars ranging from World War II through the current conflicts, said more could be done to improve communications between VA hospitals and more guidance could be provided about dealing with particular women’s health issues.

The Salem VA has been a leader in providing treatment for female veterans, and has provided care that many would like to see at other VA hospitals across the country.

“We couldn’t ask for a better medical center than what we have here [in Salem],” said C.J. Dickerson, an Army vet. “They’ve addressed the female veterans issue. If we could get the rest of the state following suit, we’d have something going on.”

Tracy Towes, who served in the Army during the Gulf War, said the treatment currently offered by the VA often is not adequate for the stress that many women face.

“Our basic training was not separated into a non-combat environment, and as we’re going into the wars, we are facing combat, and there needs to be a recognition of that,” she said.

In addition to addressing the need for better treatment of PTSD, Senator Warner was particularly interested in how to improve the services offered in rural communities. In southwest Virginia, for example, the Salem VA Medical Center is the primary option for veterans – some of whom have to drive two or three hours to access services and treatment.

The Roanoke Times carried this story on the event, and WDBJ/Ch. 7 broadcast this report: