More Than Care: Orlando VA Celebrates Women Veterans

Through Motherhood

By Joseph Nunez, Public Affairs Specialist, Orlando VA Healthcare System

Photo: Ashley Rivera, a U.S. Navy Veteran, during the Orlando VA Healthcare System Women Veterans Maternity Program Baby Shower

at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together expecting women Veterans and their families

for a day of celebration, support, and community connection.

Orlando, Fla. — At the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS), motherhood is being met with more than medical appointments and checkups. For women Veterans expecting a child, it is also being met with community, connection, and support.

Dozens of women Veterans and their families recently gathered at the Orlando VA Medical Center for a baby shower hosted through the Orlando VA Women Veterans Maternity Program. The event provided diapers, wipes, baby clothing, educational resources, and an opportunity for Veterans to connect during pregnancy and postpartum care.

For Ashley Rivera, a U.S. Navy Veteran expecting her third child, the experience was unexpected in the best way.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me,” Rivera expressed. “It’s been eight years since I had a baby, so any amount of support I can get is invaluable. I felt like I should reach out and seize this opportunity.”

Rivera said the welcoming environment helped her step outside of her comfort zone and reminded her she deserved the support available to Veterans.

“It’s been really awesome and heartwarming,” Rivera shared. “Often, as Veterans, we brush things off or believe that others deserve the help more. However, this experience reminded me that we are entitled to these benefits as well.”

The Orlando VA Maternity Program follows women Veterans throughout pregnancy, delivery, and up to one year postpartum. In addition to coordinating maternity care in the community, the program offers mental health screenings, lactation support, nutrition education, parenting resources, and infant CPR classes.

Glorian Chehade, Maternity Coordinator at the Orlando VA, said the baby showers help strengthen relationships with Veterans outside of clinical care.

“We enjoy celebrating their achievements,” Chehade said. “It’s a joyful occasion. We want them to know they can count on us and feel comfortable reaching out for help.”

Chehade mentioned that these events also provide support to Veterans who may experience feelings of isolation during pregnancy.

“Some mothers find themselves alone,” Chehade said. “One Veteran expressed that this was her only baby shower since she had no family nearby. Moments like that motivate us to continue doing this.”

Melissa Tran, Reproductive Health Program Manager at the Orlando VA, stated that these events reflect the VA’s whole health approach by supporting Veterans' mind, body, and soul.

“It allows them to feel seen and gives them a sense of community,” Tran said. “Many women Veterans are new to the area or lack local support. These events remind them they are not alone.”

Today, the Orlando VA serves more than 18,000 women Veterans and continues expanding services designed specifically with women Veterans and their families in mind.

Veterans seeking more information about the Maternity Program can contact 407-631-4114.

For more information, please visit: VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs, subscribe to receive email updates by clicking here, like us on Facebook at: @OVAHCS, follow us on Instagram at: @OVAHCS, or on Twitter at: @OVAHCS.

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Established in October 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) was designated a 1a facility (most complex) in 2021, with more than 5,660 employees and an annual budget of $1.5B and serves more than 131,000 Veterans in Central Florida. The Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona provides outpatient, inpatient and emergency services. Lake Nona’s 65-acre medical campus encompasses 134 acute inpatient beds, providing complex Medical/Surgical/Mental Health specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic, as well as a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs/Domiciliaries (60-beds located at the Lake Nona Campus and 58-beds at the Lake Baldwin Campus). Outpatient services are provided at a Health Care Center in Viera, a Multispecialty Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Daytona Beach, and five Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Lake Baldwin, Kissimmee, Deltona, Palm Bay and Tavares.