VA Loma Linda and RSBCIHI Join Forces to Bring Vital Services to Veterans at Soboba Indian Health Clinic

(RSBCIHI | Soboba, CA) – On June 11, veterans, service members, and their families gathered at the Soboba Indian Health Clinic for an event that brought healthcare and VA benefits directly to their community. Hosted by the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (VALLHS) and Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc. (RSBCIHI), the Bringing VA Benefits Home PACT Act Outreach Event provided essential resources, hands-on support, and access to vital health screenings.

With over 100 people in attendance, the event featured representatives from 36 VA and partner agency programs and two mobile medical units, offering everything from enrollment assistance to military toxic exposure screenings.

RSBCIHI’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Thomsen, was clear about the event’s importance, especially for Native American veterans.

“This event is about connecting veterans—especially Native American veterans—with the care they deserve,” Thomsen said. “At RSBCIHI, we offer the most in-clinic services of any Indian Health Clinic in California, from pharmacy, dental, and vision to behavioral health and nutrition. We’re here to help them every step of the way.”

The outreach proved to be invaluable for veterans seeking support, including Jesus Vegaislas, a Marine Corps veteran who had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a toxic exposure screening for a while now, and today I finally got it done,” Vegaislas said. “The staff here were so helpful, and they got me connected with even more services than I expected.”

For many veterans, the event was an opportunity to get answers in person, receive the healthcare they needed, and enroll in VA services. Forty-six veterans completed toxic exposure screenings, which are critical for those who may have been affected by environmental hazards during their military service.

Dr. V. Franklin Sechriest, VA Loma Linda’s Chief of Staff, stressed how crucial these kinds of events are for reaching veterans in their communities.

“This is what it’s all about—getting out into the community, meeting veterans face-to-face, and making sure they know we’re here for them,” Dr. Sechriest said. “It’s one thing to send out emails or put up flyers, but it’s another to show up and make a personal connection. That’s where the real impact happens.”

The event underscored a growing effort to close the gap in care for Native American veterans, a population that often faces unique barriers to accessing VA benefits and healthcare.

“It’s about trust, community, and making healthcare accessible,” said Thomsen. “We want veterans to know that RSBCIHI and the VA are here for them—not just today, but every day.”

The day’s success left an impression on both the veterans and the healthcare professionals who served them, highlighting the ongoing need for more outreach events like this across the region.

For veterans like Vegaislas and many others, it wasn’t just about accessing benefits—it was about feeling seen and supported by people who understand their journey.