Phoenix Veterans Affairs Hospital Exposed for Keeping a Secret Waiting List that Caused the Death of 40 Veterans

Video posted by Washington Free Beacon Courtesy of CNN

According to CNN, the Phoenix Veterans Affairs hospital kept a secret waiting list; as many as 40 U.S. veterans have died waiting for appointments at the Phoenix VA Hospital. People familiar with the way Phoenix V.A. Hospital operates believe that there may be more than 40 deaths. However, upper management have devised the plan to create two lists, one is the real list, and the other is the decoy list, also coined as the secret waiting list.

When a patient is added to the secret waiting list, then dies waiting for an appointment, they then are removed from that list, ensuring that know one will ever know that the patient was ever there, hence the name “secret waiting list.” The decoy list was created to give the impression of the V.A’s efficiency by alluding to the fact that veterans are being seen and treated within a timely two-week cycle; when in reality it may be several months to over a year before veterans are actually seen and treated.

 CNN correspondent, Anderson Cooper, interviewed a retired VA Physician, who stated that the managements plan was to destroy the evidence of there ever being a waiting list, all for the sake of looking good by showing an improved wait time for patients to be seen and treated. However, they were too late with that plan before being exposed.

The V.A. Hospital is the largest healthcare facility in the country and Serves 8.7 million veterans. According to the Veteran Affairs, “they operate the nation’s largest integrated health care system with more than 1,700 hospitals, clinics, community living centers, domiciliary, readjustment counseling centers, and other facilities.”

Infographic Courtesy of Associate Press

Infographic Courtesy of the Associated Press

According the International Business Times, there is evidence of bonuses awarded to executives at troubled VA hospitals and lengthy ongoing disability claims backlog. This has happened on numerous occasions, more recently in Roanoke Virginia.  The House Committee on Veterans Affairs even created a website  highlighting the V.A’s short comings, here is a copy of a letter  sent from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to President Obama and Secretary Shinseski, April 2013, regarding the claims of the V.A’s slow response time .  Granted, the VA does have numerous veterans that need servicing, however it is inexcusable to allow anyone to die, more specifically a veteran that has entrusted their lives into the hands of the VA. Why should any veteran die simply to have the hospital and management look good at getting veterans in and out in a timely fashion, and to receive a bonus on top of it for doing so?

Here is a clip of one Atlanta’s homeless veterans, Jay Williamson, as he complains about what he had to endure due to the V.A’s slow response about his living situation. Because of the V.A’s slow response, Williamson lost his home and is now living in the Atlanta Mission, a homeless shelter.  Williamson, previously interviewed, complains of waiting for over two years to receive help. “What I can’t understand, is they have all of that government money, I can’t understand why they’re not doing anything; we have needs also” says Williamson.

Veterans, including John L. Stamatiades, left, hold a banner at a news conference to announce a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging the misuse a 390-acre plot of land in West Los Angeles that was donated some 130 years ago to house veterans who need care after traumatic military experiences, at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration center in Los Angeles Wednesday, June 8, 2011. The suit alleges that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leased much of the property at its West Los Angeles facility to private entities, instead of using it for veterans' permanent supportive housing. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Veterans, including John L. Stamatiades, left, hold a banner at a news conference to announce a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging the misuse a 390-acre plot of land in West Los Angeles that was donated some 130 years ago to house veterans who need care after traumatic military experiences, at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration center in Los Angeles Wednesday, June 8, 2011. The suit alleges that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leased much of the property at its West Los Angeles facility to private entities, instead of using it for veterans’ permanent supportive housing. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

With the recent uncovering of the secret waiting list, how much more is the public unaware? What other questions needs addressing concerning the V.A? The public needs to know what else is happening behind closed doors that negatively affect the veterans. What can communities do to help the VA better serve the veterans who fought for and served this country, and what can be done to help improve the VA’s response time? These questions must be addressed.

Germaine Moody “The King of Networking” Bringing People Together To Create Business Opportunities Through Divine Connections

Germaine Moody  Photo by PRweb

Germaine Moody
Photo by  prweb.com (c) 2014

If you missed the networking event this year in Atlanta, then you missed a grand event. Germaine Moody strikes again! He has created fabulous events for the past five years, events that has earned him the title “The King of Networking.” Germaine Moody’s networking event attracts people from all over country and around the world.  Listen as Judy Jones the gracious host of WAEC am Love 860 discuss Moody’s book,  networking event, wine label, successful ventures and Germaine, the man.

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Germaine, Judy, Chris (c)2013 Photo by D. Garvin

The Judy Jones Show WAEC am Love 860

This year’s Pre-Grammy networking event was kicked off in Atlanta in January 2014. It’s the launch of Moody’s fifth annual world tour event where entertainment industry professionals of all genres come together to network, connect and celebrate one another’s accomplishments. The tour will not only travel around the country, but around the world including places such as Paris, London, Canada, and Johannesburg just to name a few.

Judy Jones & Germaine Moody Interview by Dawn on Vimeo.

Moody’s Red Carpet Pre-Grammy Event has brought together industry professionals ranging from Music to film and fashion to sports all in the name of networking and if you missed Atlanta’s networking event, fear not, there is more to come from Germaine Moody.

Moody’s not only known as the king of networking, he’s also known for his inspirational writings, including one of his most recent books “50 Seeds of Greatness which was selected to go to the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most contributors to a book ever from over 100 countries, so stay tuned for that. With all that he has accomplished in such a short period of time, it’s a pretty sure bet that he will add the world record to his list of accolades. He’s an inspiration to us all, so to those who feel that you are too small to do great things, just take notes from Germaine Moody.  He trusted God, believed in himself, moved in his purpose & created greatness while making divine connections along the way.  Remember, ALL things are possible to those who believe. To learn more about Germaine Moody and his many books, go to moodtyme.wix.com  

50 seeds of greatness

You haven’t heard the last of the King of Networking, this young man is doing big things. Moody has his hands in some of everything, including his own wine label called Royal Moody Wine. “Most importantly, I will be introducing international wines to America” says Moody. So, be on the lookout for Germaine’s next venture. According to Moody events, Germaine states “I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring people together once again to create their own opportunities and expand their connections, this is really what life is all about.” For more information on Germaine Moody and his events, you can check out  germainemoodyevents.com, you haven’t heard the last of him yet, so stay tuned for an event near you.

Thanks To The Support of The Atlanta Mission, Some Homeless Were Protected From This Years Bitter Cold Weather

The Recent Sub-Zero Temperatures Around the Country is No Easy Feat For Any Human Being, That’s Why Your Support is Needed to Help The Atlanta Mission Get Atlanta’s Homeless Off the Streets.

Video Courtesy of Atlanta Mission

Do you remember how you felt just walking to your car during the unusually sub-zero temperatures that was felt across the country or how you felt just to cross the street during this recent cold wave? How about “leaning into the wind, how the cold stabbed at your joints, and how, each time you inhaled the frigid air, you thought your lungs would crack?” Then just imagine how some homeless men, women and children who weren’t able to find shelter felt sitting huddled up with high winds and the bitter cold pounding the cardboard box under that bridge.  There is something so wrong when people can sit idly by, having Christmas dinners or whatever it is you do during the holidays or any day for that matter, and not have a second thought about a person in need. You see so many people living on the streets everyday and people just pass them by daily, that you become apathetic to it.  But no one should become desensitized to human suffering.  With your support, you can help the Atlanta Mission  and other organizations end homelessness one day at a time, just by donating your time, skills, talents and monetary gifts.

The Atlanta Mission  is a Christian based organization that reaches people physically, emotionally and spiritually. Their goal is to touch the heart and the spirit of every person in need that walks through it’s door.  They help to transform the lives of homeless families through the support of the community and the love of God by bringing them out of the darkness into the light. This organization was established in 1938 and has been providing services and transforming lives of homeless men, women and children for 75 years.

Georgia Gov.-elect Nathan Deal, right, meets Cynthia McDaniel, left, and her son Devon Scott, 6 months, while visiting the Atlanta Mission homeless shelter for women to kick off inaugural festivities  in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Georgia Gov.-elect Nathan Deal, right, meets Cynthia McDaniel, left, and her son Devon Scott, 6 months, while visiting the Atlanta Mission homeless shelter for women to kick off inaugural festivities in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The women & children’s section is called My SistersHouse, and the Atlanta Mission provides emergency and temporary shelter as well as transitional housing for more than 950 men, women and children on a daily basis. There’s also a recovery program, job training and a personal development program.

Atlanta Falcons' Justin Blalock, Jonathan Massaquoi and Corey Peters, from left, serve an early Thanksgiving dinner to Ronnie Fowler, left, and about 100 other men from Shepherd's Inn, the men's facility at the Atlanta Mission, Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta. The Falcons players served the catered meal at the mission which provides overnight shelter and transitional housing for more than 950 homeless men, women and children daily. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Atlanta Falcons’ Justin Blalock, Jonathan Massaquoi and Corey Peters, from left, serve an early Thanksgiving dinner to Ronnie Fowler, left, and about 100 other men from Shepherd’s Inn, the men’s facility at the Atlanta Mission, Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Atlanta. The Falcons players served the catered meal at the mission which provides overnight shelter and transitional housing for more than 950 homeless men, women and children daily. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

There’s an annual 5k race to end homelessness, and to see so many people get involved to run this race shows the homeless how much people really care.  With your support it can continue growing to create bigger and better facilities and to grow the organization so that you can make it possible to help get all homeless men, women and children off the streets and give back their dignity and help them to become productive citizens in the community.  This will not only benefit the homeless, but the Atlanta community as well.  So please, let’s come together for a common cause and support your homeless and help save a life, it’s such a worthy cause and you’ll be glad you did.

Youtube Video Courtesy of Atlanta Mission

Mastectomy and the Woman

Soldiers Without Faces

They May Be Faceless on The Streets, But They Still Have a Voice 

When you think of veterans the word honor, courageous & sacrifice comes to mind; you also think of how they fought for our country and remember the times when they were once saluted and celebrated.

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Photo by Cambridgema.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, today we simply pass them by as they lay in the streets with no place to go.  We don’t celebrate them anymore, we merely tolerate them.  Shouldn’t there be more success stories? Why does it take so long for vets to get help?  Shouldn’t help already have been provided prior to being discharged.  This photo couldn’t have said it better; “If America is the home of the brave, why are the braves homeless?”  Now that’s a Good question.

 

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Photo by butnotyet.com

So, why is it more often than not that we hear more stories about homeless vets?  According to Military.com, “it has been estimated that fewer than 200,000 veterans may be homeless on any given night and that twice as many veterans experience homelessness during a year.”  But, the question is, why are there still so many homeless vets out there with so many programs that are readily available? Those numbers are staggering and something must be  done about it.

 

Here are some facts about homeless vets in the U.S. today.  What’s being done to help combat this crisis?

Photo by blog.endhomelessness.org

 

 

http://storify.com/dagarv7/homeless-veterans-in-atlanta-needs-your-support

There is something so wrong about this and it must change, and with the help of the National Coalition for Homeless Vets (NCHV) and the support from communities all over the country coming together in collaboration, homelessness among the vets can stop, but it must began by the restructuring of public policies.

According to the NCHV  they say they  “will end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers.”  NCHV also states that HUD had published a notice on December 12, 2013, in accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, Federal Register identifying Federal buildings and other real property HUD has reviewed as suitable for use to assist the homeless. This is a big new for the homeless vets.  This will create more opportunity for space to house the vets in need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Frantz Fortune Takes the Initiative to Help Get Homeless Vets Off the Streets

Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia (VEO) & Frantz Fortune

VEO for Homeless Vets from Dawn on Vimeo.

Frantz Fortune is the Executive Director of Veterans Empowerment Organization, also known as (VEO).  This organization was created & founded by Frantz Fortune, a social worker with years of experience working directly with the homeless population.  40yr old Frantz Fortune is a dedicated husband who has been married 17 years and a father of two, ages 8 years and 16 years old.  Fortune is a native of Haiti and has resided in the states for the past 22 years. Prior to running the VEO Program, Fortune was a real estate investor that began in 1999, up until the economic crash in 2008.  During that time Fortune took advantage of the crash and created an opportunity to build the Veterans Empowerment Organization.  He says it keeps him very busy, but it’s something he loves doing.  Fortune stated “I’m a selfless person and I have a desire to help.”

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Frantz Fortune, Founder and Executive Director of (VEO) Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia, seeking support to help get homeless vets off the streets.

Frantz made a point to say that “I don’t let trouble bother me, I just do what is needed to help.”  He even explained to his     children “you’re going to have to share daddy” knowing that the time spent away from home will be time invested in helping   feed, clothe and shelter the homeless vets and to help them to regain their independence and dignity.  “I have an awesome wife who allows me to be away while she takes care of home, so I can work” says Fortune.  His passion for serving others is a part of who he is but, he also remembers when he left a third world country to come to the United States, how he was afforded opportunities when he needed it; looks like he’s paying it forward, literally Fortune has used most of his own money to develop this program, but he can’t do it alone;  any support is always welcomed and appreciated.

Frantz has big ideas, big dreams and a desire to see a VEO opened in every city and/or state in the U.S.  He would even like to see other organizations like VEO help to solve what he calls a crisis, stating that there are 300,000 homeless vets in the U.S. and 2,000 in Atlanta alone.  He Spends time getting to know the Vets, which helped him to learn the man and understand them as humans and not just homeless.  Fortune is very ambitious in his dreams and desires to help the homeless; he also has a desire and goal to open a canteen to feed the homeless.  According to VEO, today Fortune is helping Atlanta to solve its homelessness problem through his work with The United Way and the Positive Outlook Foundation.  “We seek to create living conditions that will promote independence, dignity, and a sense of purpose for veterans who are currently under served and in need, including the mentally ill, those who have substance abuse problems, or physical disabilities.”

To help Frantz Fortune in his quest to get homeless veterans off the streets, don’t hesitate to stop by the VEO of Georgia to  lend a helping hand or donate food, money, or your time.  They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter, every little bit  helps, so be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

Mastectomy and the Woman

Is Preventative Mastectomy an Option for Everyone and What Happens After the Surgery

http://storify.com/dagarv7/masectomy-and-the-woman

King of Pops Third Annual Field Day Event, Atlanta

King of Pop’s Third Annual Event Raises Proceeds for a Community Organizations King of Pops 3rd Annual Field Day, is a free fun-filled family event that began three years ago.   This event is filled with carnival games, competitions, food trucks, live bands, surprise guests & much more, the best part is that it’s free to attend.   Not only was there free entry, but attendees also received tickets to try the King of Pops all natural handcrafted pops and a free game.  Now, that’s a great way to start the day on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

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King of Pops Entry Sign into the Event, Atlanta (c) 2013 Photo by D. Garvin

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Parking for the bikers, Atlanta’s King of Pops Field Day. (c) 2013 photo by D. garvin

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Hundreds of bikers Parked for the festivities (c) 2013 Photo by D. Garvin

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Entering into the event.
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Arrival into the King of Pops (c) 2013 Photo by d. Garvin

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Free Entry to the event, can’t beat that for a family day out. (c) 2013 by D. garvin

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Attendees enjoying the taste of fabulous flavors of fruit pops at the Masquerade in Atlanta (c) 2013 photo by D. Garvin

Field Day is also a fundraiser for a local community project and proceeds made from the event will go to that community project.  The attendees are given a sheet with three community projects to choose from.  The program selected with the highest numbers of votes will receive the proceeds raised from the day’s event.

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The voting table to determine which community program wins the proceeds made this day. King of Pops at Masquerade in Atlanta. (c) 2013 Photo by D.Garvin

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The Crowd sitting watching the stage performance, Atlanta (c) 2013 King of Pops

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Food Truck serving natural foods at the King of Pops Field Day Masquerade, Atlanta Ga. (C) 2013 photo by D. Garvin

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Hot dog cart at the King of Pops Field Day event in Atlanta at the Masquerade (c) 2013 photo by D. Garvin

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Man selling/making hot dogs at the King of Pops Field Day event in Atlanta at the Masquerade (c) 2013 photo by D. Garvin

 

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Mmm…How bout a bite (c) 2013 King of Pops, Atlanta. Photo by D. Garvin

Who is the King of Pops? They are a company that turned fresh fruit into a frozen treat of 350 yummy flavors with an unusual twist.  Flavors with name that includes; Banana Puddin, Bear trap, blackberry ginger lemonade, chocolate sea salt, peach Jalapeno, coconut banana orange,  blueberry lemongrass, pear vanilla, and Kiwi banana honey just to name a few.  Their goal has always been to provide an ecologically responsible, fresh, all natural hand-made pops. They started with one cart and now has 15 plus 3-4 trucks.

According to King of Pop “We here at King of Pops take great pride in our community and want to help our schools, churches, clubs and other civic groups raise funds.  So we designed the KOP Fundraising Program to be simple, profitable and fun. When we went out to those first fundraising events and saw people lining up to purchase pops for a cause, we knew we did just that.” Attendees rave about how great the event is and how good it is to be able to bring the whole family, “it’s a way for the whole family to get out, have lots of fun and spend very little money.”  I will be back next year say’s Rena Killabrew of Atlanta.”

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Guitar player sitting at the entrance of the event plays for the people as they arrive & Leave,at the King of Pops Field Day event. (c) 2013 Photo by D. Garvin

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Clown sings for the crowd at the Masquerade, King of Pops in Atl. (c) 2013 Photo by D. Garvin

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(c)2013 Masquerade, Atl. Guitarist collects donations while he plays. King of Pops Field Day. Photo by D. Garvin

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Guitar player Field Day Event, Atlanta. (C) 2013 photo by D. Garvin

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Ashley and Amy tells of how much they enjoy the event and is there to kick back on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. (c) 2013

 

DSC00772DSC00771DSC00768    DSC00709  DSC00706  DSC00707   DSC00695  DSC00693  DSC00691  DSC00676  DSC00697  DSC00696  DSC00671DSC00639   All Photos by D.Garvin (c) 2013 The King of Pops Field Day in Atlanta, Ga. at the Masquerade

King of Pops Third Annual Field Day

King of Pops