Dayton VA Medical Center

As an RN and native Daytonian, I have to say Ive heard lots of negative things about the VA and just the care generally that comes out of here. And I do know a couple friends have had some big problems there 10+ yrs ago- BUT…!
…as for my OWN experience with my dad, an agent Orange Vietnam vet, his care has been really good and pretty timely. It’s an old building/they have some old systems, some nice updated equipment- but the doctors…!
Today we met his radiation oncologist, dr John Vakios.
This man was one of the best docs I ever met and for me that’s saying A LOT bc I’ve literally met hundreds of doctors in my career and personal/family life combined.
He took his time educating, examining, and went above and beyond to make sure my dad understood everything and even discussed holistic tips and strategies to make possible side effects and situations more bearable- even down to which pharmacies are cheapest and caring about his finances as a source of stress- it is rare that I’ve heard drs do this. (Mostly bc they never have time, but he made the time).
He has a good sense of humor also and was such a pleasure to meet and felt very good and safe to put my dad in his hands.
THANK YOU DR VAKIOS !!!

Except for the VA ID card fiasco I had this facility has been nothing but good.

I have visited friends in the hospital and I have had my hearing looked at there. Very good service and staff.

There is quite a bit of administrative incompetence going on but once you are able to overcome that leave Medical Care here is beyond reproach. The staff that work the medical profession here are caring compassionate and genuinely loving people who really care about veterans for sure. But it's really sad let every time I I drive the 9.7 miles from my home to the hospital I pass at least 5 homeless veterans holding signs on the street corners begging for food and shelter. And it really makes me mad when I get to the entrance to the VA and there are sometimes three or for veterans with signs right outside the gate begging for change that are homeless and hungry. And then you can look right inside from where they're standing and see multi-story housing buildings boarded up with no one staying in them. It will be interesting to see if the bill that President Trump just signed addressing the suicide rates of veterans actually puts any of these veterans into this boarded-up eyesore on campus at the Veterans Administration Hospital.

Behind the VA Hospital is Lakeside Park (sometimes called the VA Grotto) and it is worth a visit. The roots of this park go all the way back to the 1860s and 70s just after the civil war. It fell into disrepair during the 1930s but is now being restored. It is quite pretty with a few very historic structures.