Military Appreciation Month
The IL-HPCO Veterans Work Group salutes all current and former service persons during Military Appreciation Month. Special observances during this month include:
- Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 9) – Recognizes the important role our military families play in keeping our Armed Forces strong and our country safe
- Armed Forces Day (May 17) – Honors everyone serving in the U.S. Military branches; Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Space Force
- Memorial Day (May 26) – Commemorates the men and women who died while in military service. All Americans are encouraged to pause, wherever they are, at 3:00 pm local time for a minute of silence.
IL-HPCO is proud to support the We Honor Veterans program and all who participate in it.
Strengthening Support for Veterans Programs
Click the heading below to expand services for the area that you are interested in services.
This knowledge-based presentation will help to prepare hospice providers and other healthcare teams to identify signs of suicidal thoughts and behavior among Veterans. Appropriate suicide assessment tools for identifying high risk Veterans will be described. Options for intervention and care will be discussed, both within the VA and externally. The one-hour presentation is followed by a Q&A with subject matter expert Dr. Peter Gutierrez from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ workgroup.
VA Illiana Health Care Services
1900 E Main St
Danville, IL 61832
www.danville.va.gov
Name and contact for Regional (VISN) office:
Kim Kelley, MA, MSW, LCSW
217-554-3276
Palliative care contact and alternate:
F. Gibson
Palliative Care Coordinator
217-554-5137
FAX: 217-554-4310
fanta.gibson@va.gov
After hours contact:
Palliative Care In-patient Unit Nurses’ Station – 217-554-5833
Service area covered by VA:
Illiana cachement area includes Central Illinois, East Central Illinois, West Central Indiana. Our CBOCs are located in Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, Mattoon, West Lafayette.
Brief description of palliative and hospice care program:
15 bed in-patient unit, Consult Team, Interdisciplinary Team, Out-patient Clinic, Telepalliative Care, E-Consults.
Process for expedited enrollment and approval of VA-paid hospice services:
Melissa Nelson
Palliative Care Coordinator
Phone: 217-554-5137
Fax: 217-554-4310
Janet Myers, RN
217-554-5648
Name and contact information for approval of VA paid hospice:
Melissa Nelson
Palliative Care Coordinator
217-554-5137
Janet Myers, RN
217-554-5648
Name and number for person who approves changes in hospice levels of care:
Melissa Nelson
Palliative Care Coordinator
217-554-5137
Janet Myers, RN
217-554-5648
Name and number to contact for Veteran admission to VA inpatient hospice unit:
Melissa Nelson, RN, LCSW
217-554-5137
Janet Myers, RN
217-554-5648
Community Care Contact:
Mattie Engel
217-544-4533
Business office contact for reimbursement and billing issues:
Fee Basis Department
217-554-6532
Decedent Affairs Officer:
Julie Smith
217-554-5374
PTSD Resource:
Tim Kohlbecker, MSW
PTSD Coordinator
217-554-4260
Homeless Veteran Resource:
Jennifer Gerrib, LCSW
Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator
217-554-5679
Vet Centers:
Peoria Vet Center
8305 N. Allen Rd.
Peoria, IL 61615
309-689-9708
877-927-8387
FAX: 309-689-9720
Springfield Vet Center
1227 S. Ninth St.
Springfield, IL 62703
217-492-4955
877-927-8387
FAX: 217-492-4963
Resources:
National Suicide prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
National Cemetery information:
www.cem.va.gov
Death and Burial benefits:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
Military discharge information:
www.vba.va.gov
We Honor Veterans:
www.wehonorveterans.org
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
5000 South 5th Avenue
Hines, IL 60141
Phone: 708-202-8387
http://www.hines.va.gov
Name and contact for Regional (VISN) office:
Jolene Renda, NP
VISN 12 Palliative Care Program Manager
(608)372-3971 x61217
Palliative care contact:
Alexi Vahlkamp, LCSW
Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator
708-202-2584
Fax: 708-202-2163
Alexi.vahlkamp@va.gov
After Hours Contact:
Contact Hines VA Operator at 708-202-8387 and request to page after-hours geriatric attending
Service area covered by VA:
Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana
Brief description of palliative and hospice care program:
15 bed Hospice unit, Palliative care/hospice consult service available for inpatients, Outpatient clinic
Process for expedited enrollment and approval of VA-paid hospice services:
Alexi Vahlkamp, LCSW
Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator
708-202-2584
Fax: 708-202-2163
Alexi.vahlkamp@va.gov
Name and contact information for approval of VA paid hospice:
Alexi Vahlkamp, LCSW
Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator
708-202-2584
Fax: 708-202-2163
Alexi.vahlkamp@va.gov
Name and number for person who approves changes in hospice levels of care:
The referring physician would have to be contacted to enter a new palliative care consult. This is required by Non-VA Care.
Name and number to contact for Veteran admission to VA inpatient hospice unit:
Alexi Vahlkamp, LCSW
Hospice and Palliative Care Program Coordinator
708-202-2584
Fax: 708-202-2163
Alexi.vahlkamp@va.gov
Virginia Bove, LCSW
708-202-4855
Fax: 708-202-2397
Virginia.bove@va.gov
Death notification requirement:
Patient Administrative Services must be notified at 708-202-8387 ext. 22761 and a copy of the death certificate should be sent to:
Patient Administrative Services
Attn: PAS
5000 S. 5th Ave
Hines, IL, 60141
Business office contact for reimbursement and billing issues:
Non-VA Care
708-202-8387 ext. 27200
Decedent Affairs Officer:
Deborah Zajac
Decedent Affairs/Details Clerk
708-202-2503
Officer can provide information regarding death benefits, including military honors.
PTSD Resource:
Holly Hunley, PhD
Trauma Services Program Manager
708-473-1203
Homeless Coordinator:
Meggan MacFarlane, LCSW
708-202-8387 ext. 24928
Vet Centers:
Oak Park Vet Center
155 S. Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-383-3225
Jeanne Douglas, Team Leader
Orland Park Vet Center
8651 W. 159th St. Suite 1
Orland Park, IL 60462
708-444-0561
Theresa Hartmann, Team Leader
DuPage County Vet Center
750 Shoreline Drive, Suite 150
Aurora, IL 60504
630-585-1853
Resources:
National Suicide prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
National Cemetery information:
www.cem.va.gov
Death and Burial benefits:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
Military Discharge Information:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp
We Honor Veterans:
www.wehonorveterans.org
JBVAMC
820 S Damen Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.569.8387
Lynne.odonnell@va.gov
Name and Contact for Regional (VISN) office
Jolene Renda DNP APN/CNP
VISN 12 Palliative Care Program Manager
500 E. Veterans St.
Tomah, WI 54660
608-372-1217
jolene.renda@va.gov
Palliative care contact:
Lynne O’Donnell, RN, MSN, ANP, HTPA
JBVAMC
820 S Damen Ave #118
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.569.7842
After Hours Contact:
Palliative care physician on call
Pager: 312.569.8387
ask to page palliative care physician
Service area covered by VA:
Palliative Care Consult Team; evaluation and assistance to veterans and families with end of life planning; symptom management in end of life care; bereavement support for veterans and families; referrals to community hospice partners for home hospice services and bereavement care; coordination of hospice community services.
Brief description of palliative and hospice care program:
Palliative Care Consult Team; evaluation and assistance to veterans and families with end of life planning; symptom management in end of life care; bereavement support for veterans and families; referrals to community hospice partners for home hospice services and bereavement care; coordination of hospice community services.
Name and contact information for approval of VA paid hospice:
Jude Valery-Avinger, RN
Community Health Coordinators
312.569.6363
Sandra Crane-Kupchik, RN
ABJ
219-662-5010
Name and number for person who approves changes in hospice levels of care:
Dr. U. Jayakumar, Dr. J. Hauser or Lynne O’Donnell, NP
312.569.6828 or 312.569.7842
Name and number to contact for Veteran admission to VA inpatient hospice unit:
VA in-patient hospice unit is at Hines VA.
Please contact Hines VA or:
Kay Kezele, LCSW
JBVAMC, PCCT social worker
312.569.7907
Death notification requirement:
Wanda Scott
JBVAMC Details Clerk
312.569. 6107
Business office contact for reimbursement and billing issues:
For information, please start with:
Wanda Scott
312.569. 6107
Decedent Affairs Officer:
Wanda Scott
312.569. 6107
PTSD Resource:
Mark Allen
OEF/OIF Case Manager
312.569.7549
Homeless Coordinator:
Mike Gates
Homeless Coordinator
312.569.6929
Resources:
National Suicide prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
National Cemetery information:
www.cem.va.gov
Death and Burial benefits:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
Military Discharge Information:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp
We Honor Veterans:
www.wehonorveterans.org
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC)
3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064
847-688-1900
http://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov
Name and contact for Regional (VISN) office:
Jolene Renda DNP APN/CNP
VISN 12 Palliative Care Program Manager
500 E. Veterans St.
Tomah, WI 54660
608-372-1217
jolene.renda@va.gov
Palliative care contact and alternate:
Dr. Kavita Sharma
Lead Physician Hospice and Palliative Care
708-321-0532
Fax: 224-610-2907
Kavita.sharma@va.gov
Alternate:
Dr. Sandra Garretson
Physician Geriatrics and Extended Care & Hospice and Palliative Care
Cell: 847-224-1015
After Hours Contact:
On-Call Geriatrician
847-688-1900
Service area covered by VA:
Veterans enrolled at the FHCC
Brief description of palliative and hospice care program:
(Hospice unit, palliative care consult team, palliative care outpatient clinics): Hospice and palliative care services are provided to inpatients by the multidisciplinary Palliative Care Team. Home hospice and palliative care are provided by our Home Based Primary Care program and by community partners. In patient hospice services are typically provided in the Community Living Center. A pilot hospice volunteer program is in service of the “No Veteran Dies Alone” initiative. The Caregiver Support Coordinator and the Pastoral Care program provide bereavement support. There is a monthly bereavement support group on site.
Name and contact information for approval of VA paid hospice:
Lisa Gibson RN
224-610-3665
Referral by the Primary Care Provider is reviewed by a Palliative Care MD or NP and referred to Lisa Gibson via consult as appropriate. She contacts the family and the home agency. Hospice referrals are handled as top priority.
Name and number for person who approves changes in hospice levels of care:
Initial point of contact is:
Lisa Gibson, LCSW
224-610-3665
Name and number to contact for Veteran admission to VA inpatient hospice unit:
Mr.Ali Bleibel
Nurse Manager and Community Living Center Admission Coordinator, Geriatrics and Extended Care
224-538-8100
Death notification requirement:
Decedent Affairs Office
224-610-5512
Business office contact for reimbursement and billing issues:
Allen Vintola
Business Manager, Geriatrics and Extended Care
224-610-4227
Decedent Affairs Officer:
Jeannette Chandler
224-610-5512
PTSD Resource:
Anthony Peterson, PhD
Section Chief, PTSD Program
224-610-4673
Homeless Coordinator:
William Flood, LCSW
Program Manager, Homeless Program
224-610-4842
Or
Jeff Willgale, LCSW
224-610-5884
Vet Center:
Betsy Tolstedt
Team Leader
565 Howard St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847-332-1019 or 877-927-8387
Fax: 847-332-1024
Resources:
National Suicide prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
National Cemetery information:
www.cem.va.gov
Death and Burial benefits:
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
Military Discharge Information:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp
We Honor Veterans:
www.wehonorveterans.org
CHAPCA is proud to be a partner of We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
We Honor Veterans provides educational tools and resources in advancing these goals:
- Promote Veteran-centric educational activities
- Increase organizational capacity to serve Veterans
- Support development of strategic partnerships
- Increase access and improve quality
We Honor Veterans also provides tiered recognition to organizations, known as Partners, that demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving care for veterans. There are five levels that partners can achieve in the program. Partner organizations assess their ability to serve veterans and, using resources provided as part of the program, integrate best practices for providing end-of-life care to veterans into their organization.
Name and contact for VA Regional (VISN) Offices:
Jolene Renda NP
Region 12 Palliative Care Program Manager
Phone: 608-372-1217
Cell: 608-387-9506
Jolene.Renda@va.gov
Marcos Montagnini, MD
Acting Region 11 Palliative Care Program Manager
734-845-5517
Marcos.Montagnini@va.gov
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
Respite Care Coordinator
Terri Bohlman
224-610-4833
Caregiver Support Program
Pam Rosentreter
224-610-3472
Approval of VA Hospice Benefit
Lisa Gibson, RN
224-610-3665
Decedent Affairs Officer
Jeannette Chandler
224-610-5512
Business Office/Geriatrics and Extended Care
Allen Vintola
Business Manager
224-610-4227
Palliative Care Coordinator
Annamma Abraham
224-610-5010
Cell: 224-226-6369
Annamma.Abraham3@va.gov
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (Hines)
Geriatric Extended Care
Rose Zarnowski, LCSW
708-202-2467
Community Health Office
(receive/process referrals only):
708-202-5069
Approval of Hospice Benefit, SW Clinical Mgr
Rose Zarnowski, LCSW
708-202-2467
Changes in Hospice Level of Care
Referring Physician
Decedent Affairs Officer
Deborah Zajac:
708-202-2503
Fax: 708-202-7998
Business Office
Tiffany Mattox
708-202-3508
Hospice and Palliative Care Coordinator
Laura Luc Gorby, NP
708-202-2408
Fax: 708-202-2163
Pager: 708-988-8632
Laura.LucGorby@va.gov
Nurse Practitioner, Inpatient Hospice
Margaret Walkosz, NP
708-202-5823
Fax: 708-202-2163
Margaret.Walkosz@va.gov
Iowa City VA Health System (IA)
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago)
Community Health Coordinators
(call this # and they will direct you to the right person based on the last 2 #s of the Veteran’s SS#)
Approval of Hospice Benefit
Jude Valery-Avinger, RN
ext. 56363
Decedent Affairs Officer/Billing Contact
Wanda Scott
ext. 56107
Palliative Care Coordinator
Lynne O’donnell, RN,MSN,ANP,HTPA
ext. 57842
Cell: 708-285-0537
Pager: 312-820-0202
Lynne.Odonnell@va.gov
Social Worker
Todd Nelson, LCSW
ext. 58602
Pager: 312-389-3026
Marion VA Medical Center (Marion)
Payment Authorization
Elaine Ray
ext. 55051
Community Health PSA
Andrea Parsons
ext. 59160
Caregiver Support / Respite Coordinator
Angela Goodwin
ext. 59185
Hospice & Palliative Care Coordinator
Cathy Wood
ext. 54310
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison)
Approval of Hospice Benefit/Business Office
Tim Latimer, LCSW / MSSW
608-280-7247
Fax: 608-280-2057
Changes in Hospice Level of Care
Tim Latimer, LCSW / MSSW
608-280-7247
Jennifer Anderson-Ott, RN
Case Manager
Ellen Sullivan, MSSW
Fax: 608-280-2057
Caregiver Support Program Coordinator
Jennifer Jaqua, LCSW
609-256-1901 ext. 11485
Decedent Affairs
Bernadine Stovall
608-256-1901 ext. 11905
Palliative Care Program Coordinator
Sheila Schroedl, LCSW, SW
Office: 608-280-7085
608-256-1901 ext. 11579
Fax: 608-280-7187
Sheila.Schroedl@va.gov