An open letter to the veterans of my community (and those who love them):

Your Chillicothe VA Medical Center is proud to provide health care services to you. We, every one of the nearly 1500 employees of your VA Medical Center, recognize that we've struggled over the last couple years to provide appointments within the timelines you've requested and deserve.  We have worked hard on that, and we are much improved. 

Many new primary care providers have joined our team.  They join with the rest of our highly skilled, compassionate and dedicated professionals, and are here to serve you.  Greater than 90% of the time we are able to offer you a primary care appointment in less than 30 days- we've actually provided more than 16,000 of them already this year! 

We are dedicated to providing care "closer to home," which why we have Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Lancaster, Athens, Marietta, Cambridge, Wilmington and Portsmouth. Just like our main facility in Chillicothe, each of these clinics offers primary care and basic mental health care. We also offer podiatry and optometry care in these clinics rather than asking veterans to travel to our main facility for these high demand services.  We frequently partner with physicians from the community to provide these services in our clinics and are very grateful for their expertise. However, it is because veterans choose to wait for those optometry and podiatry appointments at their CBOC that it appears appointments are "delayed" as recently reported.  Many VAs across the nation choose to offer these services only at their main facility, not in the CBOC.  I do not apologize for our efforts to offer care closer to home-even if the "numbers" do not look so good as a result.

Did you know the Chillicothe VA Medical Center offers care and healing each day to more than 145 veterans residing in our community living centers, for a range of care from short term rehabilitation to hospice/end of life care?  Each day we also have at least 65 veterans participating in mental health residential rehabilitation programs taking the courageous steps on a recovery journey from PTSD, depression, addiction, or other illnesses. This year alone we've reached more than 100 homeless veterans, some with children, and helped them to safe, secure and stable housing. 

Can we be better? I know we can. I am privileged to serve with a terrific team of dedicated staff from physicians and nurses; mental health specialists and allied health providers; and housekeepers and facilities management experts, who also believe we can. Each day we are working to improve access to services and make sure you have an exceptional care experience with us. 

I thank you for your service to our country and for trusting us to be your health care partner.  I hope that you gladly identify the Chillicothe VA Medical Center as "my VA" - just like I do.  

With a grateful heart and determined spirit I serve as your Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director,

~Wendy Hepker  

Celebrating its 30th year, Rock For Tots presents: The Radical Reverse Raffle this Saturday April 18th at Ohio University Chillicothe-Shoemaker Center! This event comes complete with Dinner, Pepsi, Classic Brands Beer Products, A Phil Dirt & The Dozers Concert plus a chance to win $10,000.00! This great event is held in conjunction with The Ross County YMCA and proceeds will be split between the two organizations.

Tickets are available at The Ross Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Ohio University Chillicothe, The Ross County YMCA, and "U Store It" in Jackson, Ohio across from Holzer Hospital. For more details or to order your tickets with credit card by phone call: 740-702-7677.

For more details on lots of other exciting Rock For Tots events, Please "Like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-For-Tots-Inc/129800403702263

Lunar Cow Design is currently selling ads for the 2015 Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce Map. This is our annual map that is printed every two years. Advertising space is limited and sold on a first come first serve basis. Advertising agreement's are due by April 30, 2015. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL MAP RATE CARD 

The Unioto Transportation Department is striving to put the safety of our students as the top priority. Unioto ensures the school bus drivers are up to date on new laws each year. We continue to have in-services and meetings to keep our drivers current. Our in-services this school year included a mock crisis on how to evacuate students and get them to safety as quickly as possible.  Three of our drivers demonstrated the proper way to load and unload students. We also hosted a guest speaker and a staff meeting about effective communication. In addition, we had an in-service about student riders with medical conditions.  Emergency evacuation drills are required by law for each bus. Students are required to exit the bus from the rear and the front; half out the back and half out the front. This is a timed drill to see how long it takes students to get off the bus.  This teaches students how to get off the bus safely and quickly in case of an emergency.

We also hosted an open house in October for our community to see our facilities and some of our buses. The State Highway Patrol along with our drivers was in attendance. We provided refreshments and prizes were donated by our venders. Buster the Bus (a remote control bus about the size of a small four wheeler) was also present. The students love to see Buster!

We have started a new program to encourage good behavior on the school buses. We let students color, give them Beanie Babies, and books when they demonstrate good behavior or when we see a student doing something special for another student. We also started the campaign "NO BUS FOR BULLIES." The students signed a contract to not be a bully on the bus or to turn in a bully if they see one. Unioto PTO donated the money for us to purchase purple and gold wristbands that say "NO BUS FOR BULLIES".  We also started a new program at the Unioto Elementary with school bus safety helpers. There are four 5th grade students that get off the buses before any other students and their job is to help other students get off the buses safely (tying shoes, helping with book bags, making sure students stay on the correct side of the purple line on the side walk). The four young students have done a wonderful job all year and they are rewarded every Friday with treats or gift certificates from McDonald's restaurant. One more thing we have added to the morning bus drop off is before we unload students, we read a "positive quote of the day." Students and staff have enjoyed this every morning. The Unioto Transportation Department continues to work hard and make every effort to keep our students safe.

Joan Muntz- Transportation Director

• Seeds of Hope, Inc. is preparing for their annual Walk for Homeless. To sign up as an under writer, walker or for more information call 740-774-1200 or visit www.seedsofhopeohio.com
• Interested in learning more about the Route 50 Yard Sale? Call Linda Shimp at First Capital Enterprises, she is acting as the Ross County event organizer. 
• YMCA of Ross County is now offering Pound Rockout Workout classes. For more information, give them a call at 740-772-4340
• Storybook Photography is now scheduling consultations for 2016 seniors, call 740-779-6900 for more information. 
• Majestic Theatre of Chillicothe is currently selling tickets to the 4 Shades of Elvis show to premiere at the Majestic on May 9th. Call the Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau to purchase your tickets, 740-702-7677. 
• Anytime Fitness of Chillicothe is now offering Zumba Classes on Mondays at 5:30PM and Thursday's at 6PM. Classes are free for members and $5 for non-members. 

• Visit www.visitchillicotheohio.com to keep up with all the latest community events