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EXPERTISE

Cultural Competence
Health Communications
Health Information Technology
Homeless Veterans
International Health
Program and Project Management
Research & Analysis
Strategic Planning & Performance Measurement
Rural Veterans Health
Women Veterans Health

 

With women serving in greater numbers across all branches of the active military, women Veterans have become one of the fastest growing demographic groups seeking health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  While VA has historically and primarily served men, in pursuit of the goal of retooling for the imperatives of the 21st century, the agency implemented readiness initiatives to prepare for the influx of women.  In spite of VA efforts, women still face barriers in accessing timely, comprehensive, and high-quality health care.

Leadership & Experience
In seeking to promote the health, welfare, and dignity of women, Atlas offers a full line of strategic planning, policy, and programming services.   

The VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) engaged Atlas to assist in developing a strategy to establish a comprehensive Rural Women Veterans Health Program.  The Atlas team conducted a baseline assessment, as well as 94 qualitative interviews with providers and women Veterans at rural clinics.  Atlas then identified specific areas to expand and improve the quality of women’s health services, and to deliver targeted educational and outreach programs.  These educational programs include more than 20 training modules for providers, administrators, and Veterans. 

Atlas also facilitated the planning and implementation of an innovative Mobile Mini Residency (MMR) Training Program.  The program is an evidence-based 2.5-day educational program for clinicians to develop specific competencies in delivering comprehensive women’s health care.  The goal is to enhance VA provider knowledge and skills in caring for women of child-bearing age through didactic and case-based instruction on gender-specific health care topics and hands-on training. 

Through the establishment of a strong rural women Veterans health program, Atlas is improving access to care, thereby increasing enrollment and utilization of VA services and achieving better health outcomes for rural women Veterans.

Services & Products
• Baseline assessments
• Surveys and qualitative interviews
• Health professional training
• Design and delivery
• Patient heath education
• Communications and outreach planning
• Research, studies, and reports
 

Contact
Hilda Heady, MSW, ACSW
Senior Vice President & Chair, Rural Health Research & Policy Group
hheady@atlasresearch.us
304.288.9003

Celia Szelwach, DBA, CCEP
Program Manager for Women’s Health
cszelwach@atlasresearch.us
828.242.4423