VA System welcomes Davila as patient advocate

VETERANS VOICE

Linda Mallon, a retired Army master sergeant, found her niche working with veterans and their families in Granbury. She is a former claims administrator for Blue Shield of New Jersey and later senior personnel sergeant, taking care of soldiers’ careers for more than 20 years.

Last week our office received a call from Phillip Davila from Texas Veterans Commission to inform me that he will be serving Hood County as our new patient advocate assisting veterans with appointments, referrals, fee services and any other challenges veterans face though the North Texas VA Health Care System.

Naturally, if veterans need to schedule an appointment with the local contracted clinic on Paluxy Medical Circle, they can all Crystal at 817-573-2321. But if any problems arise with scheduling care or other issues related to medial services, Phillip can be reached directly at 361-445-1733.

Veterans enrolled in Central Texas VA Health Care System and use the Temple Waco clinics call my office for the patient advocate servicing that area. Our office has received a number of calls regarding wheel chairs and other appliances. Veterans need to communicate those needs to their primary care VA doctor so he can prepare a referral to the Dallas VA Medical Center Prosthetics department if appliances are medically necessary. 

If a veteran or surviving spouse should need a ramp, Texas Ramp Project can also help with a referral from their health care provider. Veterans needing a ramp, please contact my office so we can help coordinate those services. 

VET FEST WEEKEND

During the Veterans Day weekend, our office had a table set up at Decker Field for Vetfest 2021 and met a lot of veterans new to our community.  I would like to personally welcome them and encourage them to call me for an appointment to get set up with health care services here, file for compensation or pension benefits if needed, and get to know our amazing Military Service Organizations. 

We had a great time out there listening to live music, shopping with the vendors and connecting with the community that serves our local heroes. I want to personally thank Doug Pruitt of the Rally Project for inviting us to be a part of this event.  

Our next Veterans Council Meeting will be scheduled for January 2022 and it’s coming up fast so if you know of anyone who has a program they would like to introduce to our Veteran Services Organizations that would benefit our veterans, their families or surviving spouses, please contact my office. 

Don’t forget the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots campaign. There are collection boxes at locations throughout the County.

As the holidays approach, please be mindful of senior veterans who live alone or are in need and let them know there are service and benefits available to them. 

My readers are my best advertisement and I depend on all of you to spread the word that I’m here to serve them. I hope everyone had a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving. 

lmallon@co.hood.tx.us |817-579-3292