Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State of the Art (SOTA) conference held on March 29-30, 2023, highlighted the growing recognition of whole-person outcomes, which prioritize patient-defined well-being over disease-focused care. This discussion emphasized the need for measurement strategies that account for both the social and clinical characteristics of patient populations. Vulnerable veterans, defined by social needs such as homelessness, food insecurity, and social isolation, have been the focus of VA initiatives addressing social determinants of health. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has traditionally guided the prioritization of deficiency needs (e.g., food, shelter) before growth needs (e.g., social connection, self-actualization), but emerging research suggests this linear framework may not fully capture the complex needs of vulnerable populations. Current VA efforts, such as the Peer Support and Whole Health Coaching (Peer-WHC) intervention, integrate peer support and personalized health planning to address both deficiency and growth needs. Findings from ongoing trials indicate that measuring social needs systematically and integrating growth measures are essential to improving health outcomes. This commentary calls for a whole-person measurement strategy that merges both need categories and suggests potential tools for this integration. By recognizing and addressing veterans’ strengths and aspirations, such strategies can better align with patient-centered, holistic care approaches.