Saginaw VA Medical Center to host telehealth awareness fair

This week is Telehealth Awareness Week and the Department of Veterans Affairs is highlighting that fact with an event on Friday.

The Saginaw VA Medical Center serves most of Central and Northern Michigan, with outpatient clinics from Traverse City to Indian River. Often, veterans who live in more rural areas have to drive long distances to get in-person care, or they don't have reliable transportation options. That's why the Saginaw VA is hosting a "Telehealth Awareness Fair."

They want to let veterans know they can get many of their health questions answered remotely. The system also allows medical personnel to monitor their health stats. "If they qualify, we can provide them with a tablet and set it up with a patient portal and we make sure they know how to use it and then they can have a virtual appointment with their provider," said Laurel Nowak, RN, VA Telehealth Program.

The Veterans Telehealth Awareness fair will be held this Friday, Sept. 20, in the auditorium at the Saginaw VA Medical Center. It goes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Veterans will learn about several different telehealth programs that can expand their access to care.