After 26 years in the Air Force, Sonya Wilson knew she wanted to get a job helping other Veterans. As a My HealtheVet Coordinator at Central Alabama VA, she gets to do just that — every day.
“My criteria when I came to VA was, I needed to be in a job that is really going to make a difference for Veterans. I’m feeling fulfilled every day because I really feel like I make a difference as a My HealtheVet Coordinator.”
Wilson works closely with Central Alabama VA’s health care providers to spread the word about My HealtheVet, including Dr. Renato Popovic. “The fact that he is as busy as he is and he still is helping to promote this program tells me that he believes in it as much as I do.”
As a primary care mental health integration psychologist, Dr. Popovic does initial assessments for Veterans who are interested in receiving mental health services. He often uses My HealtheVet Secure Messaging, and he says video telehealth appointments have also played an important role in supporting Veterans’ mental health.
“My HealtheVet has been a really great tool. Getting them session materials and being able to answer questions about some of the things we discuss in our sessions has been key,” Dr. Popovic said. “Veterans say that before VA telehealth and virtual care technologies, they would avoid appointments because it was too distressing. But these technologies make it possible for them to attend because they do have more comfort at home.”
