The staff at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center have provided a number of ways for you to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and self-manage your own health.

Patient Education

Our Patient Education deparment is staffed by an experienced patient education coordinator who runs a variety of programs for our patients and their families. In addition, patient information is available in our Library, which includes a collection of easy-to-read health and wellness books, respected health education newsletters, videos and other materials.

The Patient Education Coordinator is Debbie Capone-Swearer, MSN, RN, CNA, BC and her office is located on the 5th floor of building 1, room A533.  Her telephone number is 215-823-5800, ex. 6232. The Library is located on the Basement level, room GC115 (below Resources).

My HealtheVet

The My HealtheVet site provides veterans and their families excellent, reliable patient education information as well as the latest VA News. Information about veterans benefits and services is also available.

Upon registering with My HealtheVet, you will be able to:

• refill prescriptions online
• keep personal food and activity journals
• monitor your personal health data, such as blood pressure and pain levels
• maintain your own self-entered personal health record

Health Kiosks

Veterans and family can obtain health information with the touch of the screen. The kiosks are easy to use and printouts can be taken home. Kiosks are located at the main facility entrance and in the primary care clinics.

Outpatient Classes

Clinical staff provide ongoing health education during regularly scheduled outpatient clinic visits. Courses focus on:

• health promotion
• upcoming tests and procedures
• medications
• diagnoses
• treatments

Staff can tell you about upcoming education classes that are available.

Inpatient Classes

Clinical staff begin the patient education process at the time of admission, during the hospital stay, and at discharge. Our goal is to provide a hospital environment where patients —

• continually receive updated health information
• are able to ask questions about their health
• can enjoy as comfortably as possible their stay in our facility

VA Television Network

An on-demand education video system is available for all inpatient rooms and in some waiting areas. Ask the staff for further information on how to access the system.