01:00 AM EDT on Monday, April 24, 2006

There was a time when women veterans did not feel welcome at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, but the causes of such feelings have receded dramatically over the last few years, VA's top advocate for women's health said.

"We're seeing a dramatic increase in the number of women veterans turning to VA for health care," says Carole L. Turner, VA's national director for the women veterans' health program. "And the satisfaction they're expressing about the health care they receive at VA is improving tremendously."

Turner says VA offers comprehensive medical services, including health promotion, disease prevention and primary care. Also offered are hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity, limited infertility treatments, substance-abuse treatment, mental health, rehabilitation and long-term care.

"If a specialty isn't available in-house, VA will contract out with providers in the community," says Turner, a former Air Force nurse who has more than 20 years of VA experience.

Treatment for sexual trauma also is available, including counseling and treatment for an emotional or physical condition experienced as a result of sexual trauma while on active duty.

Turner said women often seek treatment for diabetes, heart disease, orthopedic problems and dental care.

VA also works to educate women on ways their health problems differ from men's, such as in how heart disease manifests itself. She said VA is working with health care providers to ensure they are aware of and looking for signs and symptoms in women that they would not ordinarily consider attributable to heart disease.

Turner emphasizes that VA facilities can be quite different across the nation. Some are in urban areas, affiliated with academic teaching facilities. Women will receive quality care, either within the VA medical center or elsewhere.

"The VA offers one-stop care for the majority of biological, psychological and social health care problems women might be experiencing," Turner said.

VA follows strict privacy standards, particularly when treating women. Gone are the days when women did not feel welcome at VA hospitals and voiced concerns about the lack of privacy, Turner said. "We also have waiting areas that are like sub-units so women can wait separate and apart from men. The environment has been designed so women can bring their children, so they know that they are safe and secure."

Turner attributes much of VA's success in treating women veterans to female program manager advocates at every medical center who are there to help women veterans navigate the system and ensure that all staff members are sensitive to those needs.

Red Sox legends to attend dinner More than 20 former Red Sox players are expected at a fundraising dinner for the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation's campaign to honor the achievements of Red Sox legend Ted Williams and others best known for success in other walks of life but who also served in the military.

Tickets are available for the dinner on Sunday, April 30, at the Varnum Armory in East Greenwich, and a few foursomes remain for the best-ball golf tournament the next day at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown at noon.

Former Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman will be master of ceremonies at the dinner, during which foursomes that want to golf with a ballplayer on Monday will have their chance to earn that privilege. The dinner will include an auction of sports memorabilia, including items autographed by Williams and Babe Ruth.

Former Red Sox pitcher Dick Drago, the celebrity host, has invited former teammates and other Red Sox legends to participate, including Jim Rice, Luis Tiant, Bill Lee, Bill Almon, Joe Lahoud, Ted Lepcio, Skip Lockwood, Rick Miller, Bob Montgomery, Joe Morgan, Mike Roarke, Dave Stenhouse and Wilbur Wood. Gary DiSarcina, Ray Jarvis, Bill Monboquette and Johnny Pesky will also participate.

Dinner tickets cost $50; $90 per couple. Golf is $800 for a foursome, $225 for an individual. The Web site is www.saratogamuseum.org. For information, call Bob Albee at (401) 398-1000, or send e-mail to savesara@aol.com.

Centracchio honored as Man of the Year The Verrazzano Day Observance Committee, which consists of representatives from the Italian American War Veterans, Department of Rhode Island, and the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, Order Sons of Italy in America, will honor Lt. Gen. Reginald Centracchio on May 20 as the 45th recipient of its Man of the Year award.

The event will be held at the 1025 Club in Johnston. Tickets can be purchased by calling Angelo Lauro at (401) 861-6702 or Ernest Ricci at (401) 354-8720.

Reunions The New England Chapter of The Chosin Few veterans of the Korean War will celebrate the battle's 56th anniversary with a reunion at the Radisson Hotel in Milford, Mass., May 10 through 12. For more information, call Terry McGuire at (781) 326-3215.

The spring meeting of the New England branch of the 2nd Infantry Division will be held at the Comfort Inn in Plymouth, Mass., May 22 through 24. For more information, call Ed Leeming at (401) 783-3638.

Advisory Council to Veterans 1/4 Affairs The advisory council's quarterly meeting is today at 1 p.m. at the John O. Pastore Complex, Pasteur Building 57, 600 New London Ave., Cranston, in the conference room of the west wing.

Italian American War Veterans of the U.S. The department will meet Wednesday at the VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, at 7 p.m., in classroom 1 on the fifth floor.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter 1812 will meet on Thursday at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Ave., Bristol, at 2 p.m.

Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Gatchell Auxiliary 306 will host a bingo at the VA Medical Center in Providence on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Gatchell Post and auxiliary will hold its monthly Italian dinner, open to the public, on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket. Tickets, $6, will be sold at the door.

American Legion and Auxiliary The auxiliary's executive committee will meet Thursday at Shields Post 43, West Shore Rd., Warwick, at 7:30 p.m. The children and youth coordinated committee will sponsor the April Showers fundraiser on Sunday at Post 79, 48 Central St., Central Falls, at 12:30 p.m. Dinner is at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. Post 2's pig roast, open to the public, will be held on May 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. at 2 Legion Way in West Warwick. Ticket are $20 and can be be reserved by May 1 by calling (401) 821-9855. Post 10 and auxiliary, 830 Willett Ave., Riverside, will have a yard sale on May 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; make space or table rentals by calling Amy at (401) 433-4102.

Disabled American Veterans The annual convention will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Warwick, with Roberto Barrera, national third junior vice commander, and DAVA national second junior vice commander, Kay Egan. For more information, call (401) 272-4804.

43d Infantry Division Veterans Association The Rhode Island Winged Victory Division will meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Arsenal, 176 Benefit St., Providence.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.