She Wears the Boots: A Podcast for Women Veterans

She Wears the Boots: A Podcast for Women Veterans

She Wears the Boots is a VA podcast sponsored by the Office of Women’s Health in the Veterans Health Administration. Women Veterans are a growing and diverse group—professionals, mothers, retirees—of varying ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. In this podcast we highlight how the VA partners with women Veterans in their health by interviewing experts from the VA on numerous topics representing a broad range of VA programs. New podcast episodes come out regularly, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Please email comments and questions to: Podcastintakerequests@va.gov.

Episodes

Food Insecurity

October 1, 2024 • 15 mins
In this episode, Dr. Christine Going, the Senior Advisor for the VHA Food Security Office, describes the VA's process for food insecurity screening of Veterans. She also shares how the VA connects Veterans to the resources they need to obtain adequate food and nutrients for optimal health and wellbeing. Learn more about this program by visiting the Veterans Health Administration Food Security Office. 
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Fertility Benefits for Veterans

September 1, 2024 • 16 mins
In this episode Dr. Sandra Schumacher, the Reproductive Health Lead in the Office of Women's Health with the VA, talks about services covered by the VA. She also talks through fertility concerns, evaluation, and the treatment process for Veterans needing assistance building their family.    

For more information, please visit https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/topics/infertility-and-ivf.asp or check out this Frequently Ask...
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Healthy Aging

August 1, 2024 • 18 mins
In this episode we hear from Dr. Christine Kolehmainen, the director of Education for the Office of Women's Health who is also a Women's Health Primary Care Provider with the VHA. Dr. Kolehmainen discusses healthy aging and steps that women Veterans can take to enhance their wellness across the lifespan. She also discusses a few resources available in VA that target overall-wellbeing.  

For more information on specific concepts rela...
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Pregnancy Loss

July 1, 2024 • 18 mins
In this episode we talk with Dr. Andrea Hekler, a clinician with the Veterans Health Administration, on how pregnancy loss may impact an individual or their partner as well as what the VA can provide to support a Veteran who has experienced a pregnancy loss. For more information please visit https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/topics/pregnancy-loss.asp  
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Women Veterans Recognition Day

June 1, 2024 • 13 mins
In this episode we celebrate Women Veterans Recognition Day (June 12th) with Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, the Executive Director for the Center for Women Veterans. Ms. Tiglao talks about the history of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 and the importance of recognizing women who have served. She also discussed other ways that the Center for Women Veterans and VA, as an agency more broadly, recognizes women Ve...
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Contraception

April 1, 2024 • 17 mins
In this episode you will hear about contraception from a VA Women's Health Primary Care Provider, Dr. Dana Glenn. She explains the types of contraception options available to Veterans at VA, benefits and common side effects of birth control, and how to get more information about access and availability at your VA.
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MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans

March 1, 2024 • 9 mins
Dr. Susan Raffa, the VA’s national program director for weight management, talks about what Veterans can expect and the benefits of participating in the MOVE! program. Veterans can also learn in this episode how to get connected to MOVE! at your local VA.

Please check out these links to resources discussed by Dr. Raffa in this episode.

MOVE! www.move.va.gov

Access the MOVE! Veteran Workbook https://www.move.va.gov/MOVE/vetworkbook.asp

...
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Veterans Justice Programs

February 1, 2024 • 19 mins
Sean Clark, the Director of the Veterans Justice Programs in the Veterans Health Administration, talks about programs available to justice involved Veterans. He also discusses the pathway to access these programs and what a Veteran can expect if they engage in these programs. For more information please visit the website for the Veterans Justice Outreach Program at https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp.
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Peer Support Services in the VA

January 1, 2024 • 10 mins
In this episode we talk to Marine Corps Veteran and certified lead peer specialist, Ms. Sonya Ebhotemen about the role of the peer specialist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). She also discusses peer support services that are designed specifically for women Veterans and the benefits to working with VHA peer specialists.
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HPV Vaccination

November 1, 2023 • 12 mins
Drs. Marissa Maier and Melissa Shaughnessy talk about the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, and why Veterans should consider getting vaccinated. They also bust some common myths about the HPV vaccine. We encourage Veterans to talk to their healthcare teams about vaccination. For more information on HPV and the vaccine, check out this video on The HPV Vaccine or read more in this brochure.
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Celebrating 100 Years of Health Care for Women Veterans

September 1, 2023 • 14 mins
In 2023, VA is celebrating 100 years of providing health care for women Veterans. To recognize this historical benchmark, we hear from two Veterans who share their early experiences with VA health care and how they have seen VA change over the last several decades.
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Service Act for Women Veterans with Toxic Exposure

August 22, 2023 • 11 mins
Dr. Sally Haskell, the Acting Chief Officer of Women’s Health with the Veterans Health Administration reviews important information on breast cancer screening and how toxic exposure in the military as well as personal and family history may indicate a need for a mammogram earlier than the age of 40.
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What is Health Equity for Women Veterans?

July 1, 2023 • 16 mins
Dr. Chelsea Cosby Morgan, with the VA Office of Women’s Health talks about the concept of Health Equity and how the VA supports Veterans using a team based approach to meet the individual needs of every Veteran.
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Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Major Katie Lunning

May 1, 2023 • 23 mins
In this episode, we change gears to highlight an example of how women who served contribute to the military and the VHA. We were honored to interview Major Katie Lunning who retells her experiences while medically evacuating those that were seriously injured from Afghanistan in August of 2021. Her Critical Care Air Transport Team was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flights out of Afg...
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Complementary and Integrative Health

April 1, 2023 • 21 mins
In this episode we hear from Alison Whitehead, the Program Lead for Integrative Health with the VHA Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation. Ms. Whitehead describes Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) approaches offered by the VHA as a part of the Whole Health System, how to access these services, and why Veterans and particularly women Veterans might find these approaches appealing. For more informatio...
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Women’s History Month

March 1, 2023 • 12 mins
In this episode we hear from VHA historian Katie Rories and VA archivist Robyn Rogers about the evolution of Women’s History Month at the VA. For more information, please check out the following resources referenced in the episode! Visit the VA History Office or listen to stories from women Veterans in their podcast Reflections from the Front. Learn more about the important milestones and those responsible for them over the last 1...
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Gynecologic Cancers

January 3, 2023 • 20 mins
Dr Haley Moss discusses types of gynecologic cancers, signs and symptoms, and what to do if you are concerned about risk or personal history. Dr. Moss also shares what to expect after a diagnosis and encourages listeners to share their VA experiences with the Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence by contacting them at bgsoe@va.gov. For more information on gynecologic cancer, visit: PAP Test and Gynecologic Cancer - W...
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Breast Cancer

October 1, 2022 • 26 mins
Dr. Sarah Colonna discusses how breast cancer is diagnosed as well as what Veterans can expect following a diagnosis of breast cancer.
More information on General Mammography and Breast Health is available at https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/topics/mammogram-breast-health.asp and by listening to one of our past episodes on https://www.spreaker.com/user/11014928/womenshealth-mammography-haskell-011421-
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Insomnia

August 9, 2022 • 24 mins
Dr. Sarah Kate McGowan explains the symptoms and impacts of insomnia on women Veterans and treatments available at VA for sleep related issues. For more information on insomnia, please visit please visit https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/insomnia/ or consider downloading the app Insomnia Coach at https://mobile.va.gov/app/insomnia-coach
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Eating Disorders

July 26, 2022 • 14 mins
Dr. Katharine Dickson reviews facts and myths about Eating Disorders in the Veteran population and outlines treatment options for those seeking care. For more information on disordered eating, please visit https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/topics/disordered-eating.asp
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