BALTIMORE, MARYLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / July 23, 2026 /

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 23, 2026

VA Maryland Health Care System to Host its 10^th Annual Baby Shower for Veterans Who are New Mothers

 About 45 Veterans and their families are expected at Loch Raven VA Medical Center

(BALTIMORE, MD) The VA Maryland Health Care System is gearing up for a full-on baby shower complete with games, gifts and goodies!

To honor and support women veterans, the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Women Veterans Program is hosting its 10th annual baby shower for new and expectant mothers. Women comprise approximately 10 percent of the veteran population nationwide, and nearly half of the nation’s 2 million women veterans are of childbearing age. About 45 families are expected to attend the baby shower. The gifts and prizes (from baby monitors to highchairs and playpens) are donations from community members, volunteer groups, and Veteran Service Organizations. This VA baby shower provides mothers with essential items that support their pregnancy and labor journeys and also provide essential baby items while fostering community connections with other parents and services like special supplemental services for women, infants, and children. Many women veterans do not realize that VA covers maternity care in partnership with community providers and also supports women veterans with lactation, help for postpartum depression, parenting and relationship support after their babies arrive. “We are excited to be hosting an event that will bring so much happiness and essential items to veterans and their families,” said Dr. Siobhan Kirksey, Women Veterans Program Manager. “The baby shower is just one of the ways we support our women veterans. We’re thrilled to be able to provide expanding services for women veterans who range from early 20s to late 90s,” said Dr. Catherine Staropoli, medical director of the Women Veterans Program. “This year we’re happy to report that we’re hosting the highest number of new and expectant mothers who are Veterans.”

WHEN: Sat. July 25, 11 a.m. -1p.m.

(Media Availability: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

WHERE:     Loch Raven VA Medical Center

                      3900 Loch Raven Blvd,/Baltimore, MD 21218

HGHLIGHTS:

• Veterans will be treated to gifts, lunch, and a cake.
• Staff will be on hand with information regarding birth, parenting, and available services.
• Community resources will be on hand to provide additional support and information

EDITOR’s NOTE: To cover the Baby Shower and to interview women veterans present, please contact Rosalia Scalia via e-mail at rosalia.scalia@va.gov, or via landline at 410-605-7464, or cell at 410-736-8444.

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The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to Veterans at two medical centers, one community living & rehabilitation center and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 Veterans from various generations receive care from the VAMHCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, the VAMHCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in Veterans’ health care, research and education. It costs nothing for Veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a Veteran can do. For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment or how to apply for a VA medical care hardship to avoid future copayments for VA health care, interested Veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324 or visit www.maryland.va.gov.