Following the training, Team BCN took these new skills on the road to the Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center, where we had the honor of providing hand massages to both Veteran residents and staff members. In just two hours, our dedicated team delivered 28 massages, offering much-needed relaxation and connection. 

Volunteer Judy Cornett recently went through the hand massage training, but this event was her first time working with patients. 

“The first person I gave a hand massage to was celebrating his 85th birthday,” Cornett said. “He was so happy to be alive and to have another birthday. For me, the best part was just being a small part of his day and sharing in his joy.” 

For many Veterans, especially those facing health challenges, this simple act of touch can bring immense comfort, alleviating stress and promoting well-being. The feedback from the Veterans and staff was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the experience. 

“It humbles me greatly that I can go in and maybe say something uplifting to someone and be there if they need a smile or just talk to them about their experiences,” volunteer Cynthia Gooch said. “It really humbles me to able to do that and give back to our Veterans in a small way.” 

Events like this are made possible thanks in part to a recent grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) that allows us to focus our Integrative Medicine therapies on serving more of our Veteran patients across our service lines.