THE FIRST HAWAII WOMEN VETERANS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD

News Release from Hawaii VA, Nov 13, 2015

HONOLULU— On Saturday, November 14 women Veterans from across the state of Hawaii will gather at Tripler’s Kyser Auditorium for the first Hawaii Women Veterans Conference.  Co-sponsored by Hawaii Office of Veterans Services (OVS), Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), and Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) the event was organized by a committee of women veterans.

“The conference is the beginning of a conversation and networking effort to reach out to Hawaii’s women Veterans.  Our goals are to provide information and assistance on VA health services, starting your own business, succeeding in the civilian business world, financial planning, and veteran benefits both from the VA and community service providers,”  said Ann Greenlee , State Director, Hawaii & Guam Veterans’ Employment & Training Service.  “We want Hawaii’s women veterans to know about the benefits they have earned and to also understand that there is a network available to assist where and when needed.”

Starting at 8 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast the day will progress with a proclamation from Governor Ige, messages from Mayor Caldwell. Opening remarks from Governor David Ige, Senator Mazie Hirono,  and Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

Army veteran, Representative Tulsie Gabbard, will be the keynote speaker. She will be followed by Tonia Bagby, PsyD, VAPIHCS and Jane Sawyer, Director of the Hawaii office of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Breakout sessions will be held on “Succeeding in the Business World” (Debra Crown, Dean HPU School of Business); “Planning Your Financial Future,” (Joanne Yanogacio, from Morgan-Stanley); “Women’s Health and Wellness,” (Dr. Kate Hansen-Schmidt, VA Nurse Exec.); and, “Partnering to Promote MST* Recovery” (Dr. Erin Fettes VA, Acting MST Coordinator). The workshops will be repeated twice after lunch.

The VA the participants will enjoy a free lunch provided by the Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System ( VAPIHCS) while visiting more than 50 exhibits  with information and resources specifically for our women veterans. For those who qualify there will be mammograms, flu shots and yoga before returning to TAMC for the afternoon workshops.

At 3:15 p.m. everyone will return to Kyser Auditorium for closing remarks by Karen Gooden, VA Veterans Benefits Administration. Questions and Answers session and door prizes will follow.  This is a great networking opportunity to meet the speakers, conference organizers and other women Veterans.  Register now for the first Hawaii Women Veterans Conference on Nov. 14. http://goo.gl/EuQmbL

Nationwide, women veterans’ number approximately 2.02 million. In the State of Hawaii there are more than 14,000 women veterans, however only 4,300 access their benefits and health care through the VAPIHCS.

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Website:  http://www.hawaii.va.gov   

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