Press release provided by Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
CHARLESTON, SC — The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System (VAHCS) recently hosted the Secretary of South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA), Major General (Ret.) Todd B. McCaffrey for an official partnership signing. The partnership signing will allow for both the SCDVA and Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS to further help Veterans, their families, and caregivers, by connecting them to resources and programs through participating Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s) in South Carolina. The South Carolina Veteran Coalition, which is comprised of the SCDVA, VSOs, and South Carolina County Veterans' Affairs offices, helps connect Veterans and their family members to organizations in their area that can help aid in their direct needs.
“This is a phenomenal opportunity for our health care system to collaborate with our state level Veterans Affairs organizations and the organizations that support Veteran’s around the Lowcountry,” said Scott Isaacks, Director/CEO of the Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS. “We are committed to ensuring that Veterans have every possible resource available to help with the needs they have.”
About the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
The Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS is a tertiary care teaching hospital providing high quality complex care and is one of the nation’s top VA medical research programs for approximately 85,000 Veterans along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. The health care system includes six community-based outpatient clinics, a full range of inpatient and outpatient care, including medical and surgical intensive care, women’s health, and a state-of-the-art 3D printing facility. Rated as one of only two 5-star hospitals in South Carolina for patient satisfaction, the Ralph H. Johnson VAHCS is a leading health care system amongst both VA and non-VA healthcare facilities. For more information, visit www.charleston.va.gov.
About the South Carolina Veteran Coalition
The South Carolina Veteran Coalition (powered by Combined Arms) is comprised of SCDVA leaders, nonprofits, Veteran Service Organizations and County Veterans Affairs' Officers joining together to help improve care, connect Veterans, Veteran Spouses, and their family members to resources in the state of South Carolina.
According to the 2022 Economic Impact of South Carolina’s Military Community report commissioned by SCDVA, the Upstate has a population of more than 94,000 Veterans, and an annual economic impact of approximately 3-billion dollars.
While the economic outlook to the community is strong, our transitioning Veterans struggle. According to Pew Research, about half of post- 9/11 Veterans reported the transition to civilian life was difficult and they struggled to pay their bills. Lack of affordable housing, underemployment, emergency financial assistance, food insecurity and family issues are amongst the issues that the Coalition is addressing.