Veterans urged to share stories

IOWA CITY - A new program at the Iowa City VA Health Care System allows veterans to include personal anecdotes in their medical records.

The 'My Life, My Story” project started in 2013 in Madison, Wis. The Iowa City VA is one of six VA centers taking part in a pilot program for the entire VA system.

Stephanie Henrickson, local recovery coordinator for the Iowa City VA, has been meeting with veterans since January. She first interviews them, then types up their story and lets them review the details. After further revision, it is permanently added to the veteran's medical chart, and medical professionals are alerted to the addition.

'It's an important project because it allows the veteran to have a voice in their own chart,” Henrickson said. 'One vet focused on spirituality, which is an important support system for him. Another focused on the loss of family member and how that affected him.”

On a recent day, Henrickson met with Steven Pohlmann, who served in the Army and Marines and now works as a phlebotomist at the VA Health Care Center in Iowa City. Pohlmann recalled details of his time in Watchersbach, Germany, and of the cultural differences he and his family encountered there. He reviewed a draft of his story that Henrickson had typed up and suggested she trim certain parts.

'I did a lot of interesting things and have got a lot of interesting stories,” Pohlmann said. 'In 15 1/2 years you do a lot of stuff.”

Henrickson said veterans are welcome to discuss anything they want to talk about.

'Health care, the way it is today you might see multiple providers,” Henrickson said. 'If there's one place to go to get the veteran's voice, get their story, the important things to them, it helps with communication.”

Interviews can be conducted in person at various locations, or via telephone or video conference. The VA is seeking a full-time temporary worker to help conduct the interviews.

Each of the pilot sites are trying to get 100 stories completed by Sept. 30, and will seek feedback from veterans and the health care team about whether the program is helpful.

'The providers have said they are personally getting a connection with the patients,” Henrickson said. 'When you look at it holistically, the things they are putting into their stories can be utilized to support them in many things.”