Projects
VCEP is working on several projects to improve the lives of veterans and their families, and honor our servicemen and women. Highlights include:
Lancaster General Health VA Liaison Program
The Lancaster General Health VA Liaison Program connects veterans with the care and services they need, ensuring a smoother transition between LG Health and the VA health system. With two dedicated nurse liaisons, the program has provided support to more than 500 veterans over the past year. As a result, the average length of stay for veterans has decreased by 20%, and the 30-day readmission rate for those receiving services is approximately 1%.
The VA liaisons assist veterans with transitions of care, including pharmacy needs, follow-up appointments, and home health services. They also help eligible veterans navigate VA benefits and, when appropriate, transfer patients to VA facilities for continued care.
Ongoing efforts focus on expanding veteran participation, improving communication between care teams, and refining program metrics to enhance care quality and outcomes. The program continues to evolve to ensure veterans receive seamless, high-quality care.
VCEP Book Club: "Brothers Forever"
VCEP hosted a virtual book club featuring "Brothers Forever," co-authored by Col. Tom Manion, USMC (retired), and journalist Tom Sileo. UPHS CEO Kevin B. Mahoney joined employees for discussions led by Sheila (Bridget) Murnaghan, Chair of Classics at the University of Pennsylvania, and Brigadier General Thomas V. Draude, USMC (retired), with moderation by Penn Medicine trauma surgeon Col. Jeremy Cannon, MD, USAF Reserve (retired).
The sessions explored the book’s powerful themes of sacrifice, camaraderie, and service, drawing connections between "Brothers Forever" and Homer’s "The Iliad"—both narratives reflecting a warrior’s journey and the enduring bonds formed in combat.
Watch the Jan. 7 playback session Watch the Jan. 9 playback session
Haven't had a chance to read the book? Watch a recording of Col. Manion to learn more
Lancaster General Health's Veteran Honor Walk
The Veteran Honor Walk is a touching tribute to military patients after they've passed. Lancaster General Health held its first Veterans Honor Walk in November 2022 and has now completed over 60 processions. During the ceremony, the veteran’s casket—draped with the American flag—is escorted through the hospital’s halls, while staff and visitors line the hospital wings to demonstrate a deep appreciation for the veteran’s service. The flag is then tenderly presented to the veteran’s family or next of kin.
“Veterans in our community have made a commitment and sacrifice that can never be repaid,” said LG Health CEO John Herman. “The Veterans Honor Walk provides an opportunity for our health system to pause and pay our respects to them.”
Read more on Penn Medicine News
Penn Medicine at Home Veterans Outreach Project
The Penn Medicine at Home (PMAH) Veterans Outreach Program connects veterans receiving home health services with VA Health Care and other essential benefits. Through proactive outreach and dedicated support, the program helps veterans navigate available resources while strengthening collaboration between Penn Medicine and VA Medical Centers.
Since launching in December 2022, the program has evolved to enhance veteran identification and streamline enrollment. Veterans are contacted via text or phone one week after admission to Penn Medicine at Home services, with those expressing interest scheduled for a home visit with a medical social worker (MSW).
Program goals:
- Increase support for veterans receiving home health services.
- Streamline access to VA Health Care and related benefits.
- Strengthen partnerships between VA Medical Centers and Penn Medicine.
Ongoing improvements continue to refine outreach efforts and ensure more veterans receive the benefits and care they deserve.
Joining Forces Reception: Honoring Veterans at Penn Medicine
Each year, Penn Medicine hosts the Joining Forces Reception in honor of Veterans Day, bringing together employees, veterans, and supporters to recognize those who have served in the U.S. military. This annual event fosters camaraderie, connection, and appreciation for the contributions of veteran employees and military-affiliated members of the Penn Medicine community.
The 2024 reception featured distinguished speakers, including Interim Penn President J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD; UPHS CEO Kevin B. Mahoney; and Col. Tom Manion, USMC (retired), who discussed his book Brothers Forever and the enduring bonds of service.
From the Military to Medicine: Building Bridges to New Service
Recently, Pennsylvania Hospital partnered with Four Block, an organization that prepares veterans for work in civilian sector careers, for a career event co-organized by Army veteran Shawn Clark, Ambulatory and Corporate Talent Acquisition director, to introduce veterans to careers in health care. The event included discussions on what to do within the first 90 days of employment and an opportunity to network with veteran Penn Medicine employees. “We’re proud that Penn Medicine is a veteran user-friendly health system,” Clark says, underscoring the recruitment and retention services for veterans, partnerships with the VA, and formal events to honor military members. Employee veterans or those who are continuing to serve in the Guard or Reserve forces are encouraged to email Shawn.Clark@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to join the Veterans Employee Resource Group.
Warrior Canine Connection Partnership
Since November 2022, VCEP has been partnering with Warrior Canine Connection (WCC)—a nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places service dogs with service members and veterans. WCC provides an on-site service dog training program for Penn veteran students, staff, and those served by the university.
The program utilizes the WCC Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model in which veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. The program fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors, and, in doing so, veterans benefit from their own skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience.
Read more in Penn Nursing Magazine Watch on FOX29 Watch on 6ABC
Missing Man Tribute Tables
In honor of Memorial Day, and in remembrance of missing loved ones, Missing Man Tribute Tables—symbolic displays meant to remind viewers of fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members—are set up across Penn Medicine each year. Employees and visitors are encouraged to visit and learn more about this recognition.
Learn more about the meaning behind the Missing Man Tribute Table
Veterans Identification Project
Penn Medicine’s goal is to design a profile database aligned with the Veteran Affairs database to ensure vital military service information is recorded to improve the quality of healthcare being provided to veterans and their families.
Every patient is now asked about their veteran status to ensure veterans are connected to the resources they need and their care team considers their experience as a service member.
Naval Strategic Health Alliance for Readiness and Performance
In October 2021, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) leaders initiated a historic partnership with the United States Navy. The agreement, signed by Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, former Surgeon General of the Navy, marked the start of a unique partnership that integrates members of the U.S. Navy with the PPMC Trauma Division.
The program, named The Naval Strategic Alliance for Readiness and Performance, was the first comprehensive partnership between the U.S. Navy and a civilian health system. The program broadens members' experience in a trauma setting between deployments and layers in team-based training with the goal of producing a unit that is prepared for rapid deployments.
Read the latest update about the partnership on Penn Medicine in the News