VA hospital hires gynecologist
Move is part of greater push to expand services for women vets
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When Air Force combat veteran Shawney Bennati would attend military-connected events with her then-husband, also in the military, people would thank him for his service -- but not her, based on the presumption that the military is mainly for men.
At Van Zandt VA Medical Center where Bennati now works, it's still mostly a men's universe, but that's changing to reflect the ever-increasing number of women who've served since the First Gulf War more than 30 years ago.
The latest local manifestation of a shift is the recent hire of Van Zandt's first in-house full-time gynecologist.
Dr. Joseph Montanaro started in May after 32 years in civilian practice and is replacing a community doctor who visited Van Zandt on a contract for half-a-day 10 times a year.
Women sometimes needed to wait nearly two months for an appointment. Now, they'll be able to get one in a day or two -- though maybe longer as Montanaro gets busier, said Susan Yohn, women veterans program manager at Van Zandt.
There are about 1,800 women veterans from the 14-county region that Van Zandt serves who are currently enrolled, but up to 3,000 women who are eligible. Van Zandt is trying to reach out to all of them, according to Yohn.
In addition to seeing patients at Van Zandt's main facility in Altoona, Montanaro will also be visiting its three busiest outpatient clinics in Johnstown, State College and DuBois.
Potential new patients can call the hospital to make an appointment.
Bennati plans to become Montanaro's patient.
She wants to get all her health care where she works.
"It's one of the perks" for veterans employed there, she said.
Van Zandt has been expanding its offerings for women, including primary care, mental health services and dietary services, according to Yohn.
Nationally, the VA is expecting an influx of women into the system, and has been trying to prepare, Yohn said.
Montanaro, 60, sought the job at Van Zandt after burning out with middle-of-the-night calls to deliver babies. Obstetrics isn't part of the job at Van Zandt.
He has been working with Yohn to develop the program he'll run.
That has included changes to the office decor and plans for a women-only waiting area, Montanaro said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.