This bulletin delivers news and information from our most recent issue of The Eagle Newsletter available now on our website.
 Although we have been ranked #1 nationwide among 139 VA medical facilities over the last two years, we continue to look for new ways of supporting Veterans struggling with mental health issues.
Coatesville VA began offering repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), specifically intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), in the fall of 2025 to Veterans who have tried multiple antidepressants, psychotherapy, and are taking their medication as directed but their depression remains.
When feelings of sadness don’t pass within few days it can lead to depression.
“We know that roughly 12 to 14% of Veterans suffer from major depression,,” said Dr. Alexander Puhalla, Research Psychologist at the Coatesville VA. “rTMS is delivering real world effects for our Veterans. We are seeing significant reduction in the depression scores, regardless of whether they have PTSD or not.
If you are interested, please inform your primary care or psychiatric provider and they will reach out to the rTMS team to place a consult.
When to choose urgent or emergency care
 Same day appointments Our primary care and mental health clinics offer same day appointments during regular business hours for your emergent and unplanned care needs. To schedule a same day primary care appointment call 610-383-0239 and for the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic call 610-384-7711, extension 6800.
Urgent Care Clinic The urgent care clinic at Coatesville VAMC provides walk-in care for urgent, non-life-threatening symptoms such as minor injuries and acute mental or physical illness beyond what can typically be managed in primary care clinics. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Saturday, Sunday, and all Federal Holidays.
Community Urgent Care Options Eligible Veterans have the option to go to in-network urgent care providers and walk-in retail health clinics without prior authorization. Read up on community urgent care.
Emergency Services Coatesville VAMC does not provide 24/7 emergency care services but will continue to provide full urgent care services during clinic hours. Community emergency rooms are available 24/7 for life threatening conditions. If you think your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you need medical or mental health emergency care, you don’t need a VA referral or approval to go to a non-VA emergency room in your community.
Have more questions about when to choose urgent care, when to call 911 or go to the emergency room, and when to consider other types of care? Learn more about what type of care to choose.
Tele-Health care The 24/7/365 VISN 4 Triage Nurse at 1-833-835-3874 remains available for when you have an urgent medical or mental health question. A nurse will evaluate your symptoms, provide a care recommendation and, if needed, schedule a virtual or face-to-face same day appointment.
The same number also provides Tele Emergency Care from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, 365 days per year. Tele Emergency Care supports but does not replace in-person care. If you believe that your condition is life threatening, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.
If you have an urgent medical or mental health question, call a VISN 4 Triage Nurse. Available 24/7/365. Dial 1-833-835-3874.
Read all the stories in our most recent issue of
The Eagle Newsletter.
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