Doris Miller VA Medical Center

I cannot say enough amazing things about the staff here!!! Thank every one of you so much for being part of my journey!!

This is regarding the woman rise program at Dorris Miller Waco, VA and my review of the facility. Photos can be produced on request but please do not send female veterans to that program. I strongly advise any VA social worker, program coordinator, behavioral health specialist, to not send women veterans to this program. For me it was very traumatizing, and triggering. My nightmares and mental health issues increased, which resulted in me never wanting to seek treatment again. Many of the nurses on staff lack candor and are dishonest, laugh and speak poorly of other patients in treatment. I walked to the facility from the airport as there is no public transportation from the airport. No one answers the phone at the facility and there is no voicemail on any of the phones so they continue to ring with no answer. Buildings on the premises are unlocked with no personnel available to provide direction on where to go. The facility has a roach problem, the showers do not drain or work properly, and the power often goes out. I never got an answer from the program staff but per the nurses' patients are required to clean their shared use bathrooms including toilets with no PPE or proper cleaning supplies. The facility is not properly cleaned or maintained. Patients must purchase their own cleaning supplies for cleaning as the nurses will give you a worn broom, there is no mop, no rags, no sponges, you will get soap and water but no bleach or disinfectants. Food service is unbearable, meals come frozen from another facility miles away and often I received the wrong meal or no meal. Salads contain bugs, and often have rotten lettuce. Unfortunately, being in this program you are restricted to being on the Dorris Miller campus and cannot leave to get food. If your meal does not come you are left with no meal. There are no doctors at this VA location, and the psychiatrist is only available by request and can only be reached by phone. Over the counter medications and pain/nutrition management supplements are prohibited/contraband. Due to no medical professionals being located at this facility it would take sometimes 4 days to get a prescribed medication that I had been prescribed by previous doctors (however the medication I brought was taken upon arrival and was banned from having access to). After having an acute medical issue and suffering for 2 weeks, I was discharged with no plan. I called 911 and the staff prevented the ambulance from coming on site to treat my urgent medical need. I was told the only way I could have my medical needs treated was to pack my things and leave. I packed my things and attempted to walk off the premises. I was picked up by VA police who escorted me to an air conditioned building and called the ambulance on my behalf. I was treated for my urgent medical condition at a nearby emergency room that went above and beyond for care and treatment. I am now in the process of hitch hiking back to my home, as the program refused to provide transportation to my home several states away. Veterans deserve better than this. I learned through this experience I don't and never will. This program places veterans in dangerous situations and the staff lacks the care, compassion, and knowledge of how to treat veterans with PTSD. If you are a woman veteran who is suicidal, this program will give you more than enough reasons to end your life. PLEASE TAKE THIS REVIEW SERIOUSLY DO NOT COME TO THIS FACILITY, IF YOU ARE SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE!!!