Veterans SITREP

Ross Cohen, Deputy Secretary of the VA for Maryland

Today, we welcome the newly appointed Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, Ross Cohen. Ross, a U.S. Army veteran was appointed in January of 2024 and served as the Chief External Affairs Officer with Blue Star Families, a leading military family non-profit.  He’ll share the events that led him to military service, how he was selected as Deputy, and what his core focus is for the coming year supporting veterans in Maryland.

Maryland VA Health Care System: Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, Peer Specialist, Part 2

On this episode of Veterans SITREP, we continue our discussion with Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, a peer specialist for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System.  Dr. Smith Benson is a retired US Air Force officer and combat veteran who will explain how unrecognized PTSD symptoms affected her transition from active duty and how she turned her life around as a peer specialist helping veterans with mental health and substance misuse disorders.  

Maryland VA Health Care System: Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, Peer Specialist

Today, we welcome Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, a peer specialist for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System.  Dr. Smith Benson is a retired US Air Force officer and combat veteran who will share her unique experience as a Clinical Nurse while deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/ Iraqi Freedom caring for wounded in battle.  She’ll explain how unrecognized PTSD symptoms affected her transition from active duty and how she turned her life around as a peer specialist helping veterans with mental health and substance misuse disorders.

Katie Kilby: Reveille Grounds

Veterans SITREP is excited to share our conversation with Katie Kilby, founder of Reveille Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland. She refers to Reveille Grounds as Baltimore’s only veteran and community impact hub. This hub uses human centered design strategies and is accountable to the community they serve by connecting people, curating resources, and convening opportunities that will set the gold standard for collaborative impact.

Dr. Mike Haynie: Institute for Veterans & Military Families, Part 2

Today, we continue our conversation with Dr. Mike Haynie, Air Force veteran and founder of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans & Military Families, the nation’s first interdisciplinary institute created to inform and advance the policy, economic, and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and families.   He’ll discuss transitioning to civilian life after serving and the need for educational institutions to create pathways for veterans to participate.  

Dr. Mike Haynie: Institute for Veterans & Military Families, Part 1

Today, we welcome Dr. Mike Haynie, Air Force veteran and founder of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans & Military Families, the nation’s first interdisciplinary institute created to inform and advance the policy, economic, and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and families.   He’ll present his thoughts on the morale obligation to know our veterans and the consequences if we don’t.

Anthony Woods - Secretary of the Maryland Department of the VA: Update, Part 2

Today, we feature part two of our recent conversation with Maryland VA Secretary, Tony Woods.  We caught up with his reflections of the past eight months and what is ahead for this legislative session affecting veterans and their families in the State of Maryland.   We’ll explore what’s involved in the 2024 Year for Military Families in Maryland and cover a series of developments affecting Maryland VA programs. 

Anthony Woods - Secretary of the Maryland Department of the VA: Update, Part 1

Today, we revisit the Maryland VA Secretary, Tony Woods, to catch up with his reflections of the past eight months and what is ahead for this legislative session affecting veterans and their families in the State of Maryland.   We’ll explore what’s involved in the 2024 Year for Military Families in Maryland and cover a series of developments affecting Maryland VA programs.   

Maryland VA Health Care System: Recreational and Creative Arts Therapy

On this episode of Veterans SITREP, we’ll explore various Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy options open to veterans through the VA Maryland VA Health Care System. Kelsey Eisenhauer, a Creative Arts Therapist in Music Therapy, & Lauren Buckingham, a Recreation Therapist and Adaptive Sports Coordinator will share many fun and entertaining ways for veterans to reach their rehabilitation and wellness goals. 

Yolanda Rayford: Blue Star Families

We’re excited to share our conversation with Yolanda Rayford of Blue Star Families. She fills us in on the work they do on a wide range of issues that affect military and veteran families, such as transitioning, job training for spouses, PCS help, food insecurity and more.