July/August 2011

Honoring the Fallen Core Values and Characteristics Operation Mend Kidz Camp Features

Who We Are, What We Stand For 6 A look at the journey to develop VA’s Core Values and Characteristics Keeping Pace With Claims 10 VBA employees create a workload management tool 10 Marking the Journey to Recovery 12 Tampa VA’s challenge coins for Veterans treated for PTSD Stepping Up for Homeless Veterans 14 First nationwide VA2K Walk and Roll draws a big response Their Service Will Never Be Forgotten 16 Fargo VA helps support local Honor Flights for World War II Veterans Scary Diagnosis, Effective Treatment 18 Prostate cancer treatment brings peace of mind to VA executive Operation Mend: Healing the Wounds of War 20 20 ‘Plastic surgeon to the stars’ helps Veterans with disfiguring wounds All Fun and Games 22 Kidz Camp entertains Veteran dependents at the Kansas City VA Bruised But Not Beaten 24 The National 9/11 flag visits the Martinsburg VA Going the Distance for a Cause 25 Three VA retirees bike to raise money for Alzheimer’s Association

Departments 22 3 Feedback 33 Have You Heard 4 News You Can Use 36 Honors VAnguard 26 Around Headquarters 39 Heroes VA’s Employee Magazine 30 Introducing 40 Golden Age Games July/August 2011 31 Medical Advances Vol. LVII, No. 4

On the cover Editor: Lisa Gaegler Ernest Cowell, an Army, Army Air Corps Assistant Editor/Senior Writer: Gary Hicks and Navy Veteran of World War II, Korea Photo Editor: Robert Turtil and Vietnam, rings the ceremonial bell after Staff Writer: Amanda Hester the names and citations of each of the 14 Medal of Honor recipients buried at the Los Published by the Office of Public Affairs (80D) Angeles National Cemetery are read during the 2011 Memorial Day commemoration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ceremonies. With 37 years of military 810 Vermont Ave., N.W. service, Cowell, 84, remains active as Washington, D.C. 20420 coordinator of the local Joint Services Color (202) 461-7427 Guard as well as with many military and E-mail: [email protected] Veterans organizations. photo by Paula Berger www.va.gov/opa/publications/vanguard.asp

2 VAnguard • July/August 2011 FEEDBACKOUTLOOKFEEDBACK

Military Cultural who lost his leg to a tank bar- federal service, the last 26 of welcomed and valued. This Awareness rage in Germany, frostbite in those with the VA. outreach becomes even more I love the article on page 8 Korea, a sharpened, buried, Given our mission of important when the language of the May/June issue, “To feces-covered bamboo spike caring for combat-wounded barrier was imposed upon Know Them is to Serve Them in Vietnam, or an improvised Veterans, and given the higher someone while serving our Better.” It really means a lot explosive device in Iraq or Af- numbers of hearing-loss cases country in combat. when anyone addresses me, a ghanistan. in recent years (as a result Tom Kovach retired gunnery sergeant in the When the Veteran can of more-powerful roadside Program Support Assistant Marine Corps, by my former sense genuine concern on the bombs), I think that the VA Engineering rank. part of their caregiver, the should not only try to “fix” VA Medical Center I make it a point when potential for a better outcome the hearing loss via technol- Nashville, Tenn. I walk down the halls of can be anticipated. This has ogy (hearing aids, cochlear the Central Texas Veterans not been called Military Cul- implants, etc.), but also em- I have severe-to-profound Healthcare System in Temple tural Awareness but a way that phasize ASL socialization skills hearing loss, but I still have to greet everyone (male or fe- each and every patient would and integration with the larger good use of my verbal enun- male) with either a “Hello” or like to be known in a VA facil- Deaf community—some of ciations and I can communi- “Howdy,” and be very respect- ity. It is light years removed whom are also combat Vet- cate well, albeit quite loudly. ful to everyone (young or old), from the common introduc- erans. However, trying to hear within no matter what branch they tion of doctor to patient in Many of the hearing social/work environments is may have served in. I want the private sector, when the people (“Hearies”) that learn another story and a true chal- them to feel pride about what first question asked is: “What American Sign Language do so lenge for me every day. Peers they have done, and grateful health insurance plan do you via volunteer programs, such in the workplace are not al- that they have the VA to come have?” as outreach classes at churches. ways sensitive to our struggles home to. Oorah! Ralph G. Oriscello, M.D. (I teach one.) Many of those and it makes it difficult for us Mark LeSabre Campbell Sr. Chief, Cardiology Division volunteers would be willing to feel included in many ac- Administrative Support Department of Medicine to give some of their time tivities. Deafness and hearing Assistant VA Medical Center to teach ASL to a combat- impairments vary at different Information & Technology East Orange, N.J. wounded Veteran, or to visit levels, but the struggles we Central Texas Veterans with Deaf Veterans that can encounter are consistent across Healthcare System Reaching Out to the Deaf sign. the board. I want to applaud the letter There are social groups It meant a lot for me to Before Military Cultural from Teresa Martin in the built around Sign Language— know that someone in VA Awareness Training was cre- May/June edition. She de- such as our local Silent Din- cared enough to consider the ated, our students, residents scribed the learning process ners, which meets monthly in daily struggles encountered and fellows were told that that she and her staff went the food courts of area shop- by Debbie and David in their during each first encounter through while trying to better ping malls. Wounded warriors work environments. I wanted with a Veteran-patient, they communicate with Deaf co- that have lost their hearing can to take the time to say thank should ask the patient what workers. meet new friends, have fun, you for talking about this branch of the military they As a former American and avoid isolationism—once because it is truly an area that served in, when and where Sign Language interpreter in they have learned American presents many challenges and did they serve, and what was the public schools, and active Sign Language. is often overlooked. their military occupational in Nashville’s large and vibrant Reaching across the Heather Osborne specialty. To those who never Deaf community, I can affirm language barrier—whether Support Services Division served (and who will never be that most hearing people have spoken or signed—is a great VA Regional Office asked to serve), it has become no idea of the daily struggles way to make someone feel Newark, N.J. an experience that transforms that Deaf people endure. A the elderly Veteran into a quote from Helen Keller is war fighter, 50 to 60 years quite instructive: “Blindness younger. separates you from things, but We Want to Hear from You It tells those who are deafness separates you from unlikely to volunteer what people.” Have a comment on something you’ve seen in VAn- was expected of an American I’m proud to say that our guard? We invite reader feedback. Send your comments service man or woman when facility has several Deaf and to [email protected]. You can also write to us at: VAn- their country called. It can put Hard of Hearing employees. guard, Office of Public Affairs (80D), Department of their service-related disability It was my privilege to provide Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washing- into perspective: the patient is ASL interpretation earlier this ton, D.C., 20420. Include your name, title and facility. not a simple “lower extremity year for a friend and co-worker We may need to edit your letter for length or clarity. amputee” but a war fighter who retired after 42 years of

VAnguard • July/August 2011 3 NEWS YOU CAN USE

VA Learning University Hosts First Social Learning Summit

Since humans could first com- a 21st-century VA workplace. overlapping interests together Steve Radick, the founder municate, learning from each Vance assigned a dedicated to learn from each other, but of Booz Allen Hamilton’s other has been a means of team to the task, and ap- using the technology is half Digital Strategy and Social survival. As was the case centu- pointed Sara Barker, VALU the battle. He emphasized that Media practice, built on ries ago, we continue to grow program specialist, as the proj- social learning is more about Masie’s thoughts through a communities of knowledge ect leader for this effort. learning how to learn from composite character named around stories and experi- The Summit began with each other than it is about Alex, a successful young VA ences so others can prosper Elliott Masie, a recognized communities such as Twitter, employee “stuck in a rut.” from what we have learned thought leader in workforce Facebook, or the myriad other Alex was disenchanted that his and continue to learn. What learning, business collabora- social media tools. learning at VA was limited to has changed is the way we im- his job description, and despite mediately and relevantly col- promotions and praise, he laborate. was not adequately develop- Social media sites like ing as an employee. Radick Facebook and Twitter, and demonstrated, through Alex, collaborative spaces like that effective social learning SharePoint and communities invigorates employees through of practice, provide us tools connections to people and in- that help harness the ability formation. to learn socially. To transform Charles Gluck, a Booz into a 21st-century organiza- Allen Hamilton expert in com- tion, VA is leveraging these munities of practice, continued tools to connect the collective the story by showing Alex’s knowledge of its employees experience with a community and foster a continuous learn- of practice. “A community of ing environment. practice is a group of people That’s what drove the VA who share a concern or a pas- Learning University to host sion, and learn how to do it the Department’s first Social better as they interact regu- Learning Summit in Wash- larly,” said Gluck. “In join- ington, D.C., on July 20. The ing a community of practice, Summit brought together so- Alex was able to learn from cial learning thought leaders in expertise across VA on his own VA and industry to engage in terms.” dialogue with VA employees Lauren Bailey, deputy about social learning concepts, director of Online Communi- strategies and technologies. cation in the Office of Public “Most importantly, we and Intergovernmental Affairs, wanted to start a conversa- detailed how VA is improving tion,” said VALU Dean Alice communication with Veterans Muellerweiss. “Through this through social media. Bailey conversation, we wanted to outlined three social media explore what social learning is, best practices: push fresh and inspire people to think of content at a reasonable pace; ways it could benefit VA.” know your audience; and be The Summit was the The Summit brought together social learning thought leaders in VA real with that audience. These brainchild of Muellerweiss. and industry. three principles, according to She challenged Dr. Reginald tion and emergent technolo- The reason to bring social Bailey, help establish trusting E. Vance, the director of gies. He stepped out of a class learning to an organization, and collaborative relationships VALU Learning Infrastruc- he was teaching to appear live Masie said, is to harness the through social media. ture, to design, develop and via videoconference, using the power of conversation, and The Summit also spot- deploy a social learning event situation as a teachable mo- create a continuous learning lighted two upcoming tools that would engage learning ment. environment. “Social media that will enable social learning leaders about how VA can Masie stressed that tech- helps, but if people aren’t en- to occur throughout VA—the incorporate social learning into nology can bring groups with gaged, then who cares?” continued on page 5

4 VAnguard • July/August 2011 NEWS YOUOUTLOOK CAN USE

Craigslist Founder ‘Likes’ What He Sees at San Francisco VAMC

Following a recent visit to GI Bill. They have a good stu- the San Francisco VA Medi- dent lounge, and I’ve written cal Center, Craigslist founder about it and my small support Craig Newmark blogged for it, and have asked for your about the good work being help also. done there and the partner- “Turns out, there’s a great ship that’s developed between VA Medical Facility in SF, the medical center and the getting help directly to student City College of San Francisco, veterans at their facility. (First, where more than 1,000 Vet- do me a favor, check out their erans are enrolled under the Facebook page and Like it.)” GI Bill. Newmark is referring to “The blog by Craig is the Veterans Outreach Pro- very gratifying,” said Gregory gram, developed by the San Hinrichsen, VA’s Community Francisco VA Medical Center. Mental Health consultant. “We provide a one-stop

“His blog not only highlights shopping experience at a con- edgardo caballero our efforts for Veterans at the venient location on campus Bridget Leach, a social worker with the San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco VA Medical where Veterans can access in- talks with student Veteran Juan Valdez about the many different VA services Center; it brings attention to formation, enroll in VA health available to him. our important mental health care on-site, and receive on-site outreach efforts at Bay area mental health services and as- dent Veterans of America. “VA’s location on campus de- colleges and universities. As sistance in navigating both VA “These kinds of partnerships stigmatizes mental health treat- Craig notes below, this out- and university services,” ex- with universities around the ment, and may ensure that reach program is one of our plained Keith Armstrong, Vet- country are very much needed student Veterans receive the model sites for the T21 ini- erans Outreach Program direc- and are giving Veterans the services needed to achieve their tiative regarding partnering tor for the San Francisco VA opportunity to focus on what’s academic goals. with colleges and universities Medical Center. “Providing important: getting a college “Our hope,” she contin- attended by Veterans on the mental health care on campus degree.” ued, “is to take the model that GI Bill.” allows for earlier identification Dr. Antonette Zeiss, VA’s we’ve developed in collabora- Here’s what Newmark and treatment of mental health acting deputy chief mental tion with City College of San blogged: problems after deployment. health officer, noted that Vet- Francisco and its student Vet- “There’s a lot of good stuff This, in turn, may help pre- erans with complex mental erans and replicate it, in some happening for veterans every- vent long-term disability and health needs are less likely to form, not only at Bay Area where in the US, and a whole improve outcomes for younger “slip through the cracks” when colleges and universities but bunch happening in San Fran- generations of Veterans.” they have convenient access to also at colleges and universities cisco. CCSF, the City College of “This program is chang- comprehensive mental health across the country. Student SF, has a lot of student veterans, ing peoples’ lives,” said Derek care on campus. Veterans should have easy ac- over a thousand, using the new Blumke, co-founder of Stu- “In addition,” she said, cess to VA care.”

Summit cont. LVA. Participants are sharing that helps VA employees map VALU plans to hold ad- Leadership Portal and My- information and collaborating their careers. He demonstrated ditional Social Learning Sum- Career@VA. The Leadership in ways unseen in previous throughout his presentation mits across the country. “This Portal is a website that hosts a LVA classes. According to how social learning and an in- was a great start,” said Muel- series of online communities. Geary, students are soliciting dividual’s career arc relate. lerweiss, “but we’re just getting On the portal, VA leaders will each other’s expertise on a “The three things that started.” be able to connect with each grander scale, and taking own- drive us to work every day are To learn more about other and subject matter ex- ership of the class because of to be people-centric, forward- social learning and how VA perts to share content focused the Leadership Portal. looking, and results-driven,” is using it, visit the Social on improving leadership. VALU Deputy Dean Dr. McMahan said. “Social learn- Learning Community of Victor Geary, program Arthur P. McMahan high- ing allows us to do all three.” Practice and Vance’s blog at manager for Leadership VA, lighted the upcoming tool MyCareer@VA and the Lead- vaww.infoshare.va.gov/sites/ spoke about the success of pi- MyCareer@VA, a cutting-edge ership Portal are scheduled to VALU/006vc/SocialLearning/ loting the Leadership Portal in career development program launch in the fall. default.aspx.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 5 Left: VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich helped lead the two-and-a-half-year effort to develop VA’s Core Values and Core Characteristics. The effort involved participants from VA Central Office and all three administrations; above: The official I CARE logo.

michael l. moore Who We Are, What We Stand For The journey to develop VA’s Core Values and Characteristics was long and transformational for the employees who participated. 6 VAnguard • July/August 2011 s VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki and his senior leadership team began assessing agency operations after his arrival in 2009, one thing kept cropping up: the lack of an overarching set of core values that unified the workforce. On June 20, the Secretary announced VA’s Core Values and Characteris- tics in a message to all employees. AVAnguard sat down with VA istics. We now have the foundation to istics highlighted in this edition of Chief of Staff John Gingrich to talk enable us to do just that. VAnguard. These Core Values and about how these Core Values and Characteristics reflect the consensus Characteristics came about, and what Q: Please describe the process you views as to the existing culture of VA they mean for the Department and used to develop the Core Values and what the workforce believes VA its 315,000 employees. As Chief of and Characteristics. How are these should look like in the future. Staff, Gingrich works closely with the Values and Characteristics being in- Leaders at all levels throughout Secretary and Deputy Secretary in troduced to the workforce? VA have hosted meetings this sum- managing day-to-day operations of the A: The process used to develop these mer with their people to provide de- federal government’s second-largest Core Values and Characteristics was tails about our Core Values and Char- Cabinet department. thorough, collaborative and inclusive. acteristics, lead discussions about what His background includes exten- It involved participants from VA they mean to us individually and as sive experience in both the federal Central Office and all three of our VA a Department, and address questions. government and the corporate world. administrations—Health, Benefits and The Secretary will begin introducing He retired from the Army as a colonel Cemeteries—and it took nearly two- these Core Values and Characteristics in 2001, after a 30-year career that and-a-half years. to external audiences in August, start- included service in the Gulf War. This transformational journey being with his remarks at the different Gingrich comes from a family with gan in 2009 and got back to the basics Veterans Service Organization con- a long line of military service—his as we asked important questions, such ventions. father served in World War II, and his as “How well are we performing our grandfather served in World War I. mission?” “What is changing in our Q: Is there a particular reason VA operating environment and how do needs Core Values and Character- Q: Can you provide some insight we respond to that change?” “What istics at this time? Does it mean the on why you believe developing Core is working, and what isn’t working VA workforce is not currently doing Values and Characteristics within so well, and why?” Included in this something they should already be do- VA is important? thorough and time-consuming process ing or acting in a certain way? A: As the senior leadership team were two productive off-site meetings A: No—VA’s dedicated workforce has made different assessments during the that included people from almost ev- always demonstrated a strong commit- past few years, an area that continu- ery part of the Department—one held ment to Veterans and exhibited many ally surfaced was the absence of an in New Orleans and the other at Fort worthwhile values aimed at providing overarching set of core values that ap- McNair in Washington, D.C. the best possible services, care, and plied to all VA employees. These new The participants from the differ- support to Veterans. However, until Core Values and Characteristics pro- ent VA organizations provided invalu- now we have not had one overarching vide a common ground and compass able input into the development of and enduring set of Core Values and by which we can all communicate our Core Values and Characteristics. Characteristics that applied to all VA both with each other and with people Additionally, critical thinking around employees at all levels of the organiza- outside of VA. these Core Values and Characteristics tion. Every member of our VA team involved collecting input from the plays a critical role in supporting VA workforce through sensing ses- Q: What does “I CARE” mean to our strategic mission—to best serve sions, surveys, and other efforts seek- you, and what do you hope it will our Veterans, their families, their ing feedback, as well as discussions on mean to the VA workforce? caregivers and survivors—and also a wide range of topics. Based on these A: Our new Core Values are: Integ- contributes to our reputation as an or- activities, and the recommendations rity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect ganization. It is important for all of us of the different panels and groups, and Excellence, which spells out “I to operate with the same Core Values, with the support of our senior leaders, CARE”—the fundamental ethos we and for all VA organizations to strive Secretary Shinseki recently approved want every member of VA to embody to embody the same Core Character- the VA Core Values and Character- as the most important message we

VAnguard • July/August 2011 7 seek to convey to Veterans and other undoubtedly influence behavior. The for individual VA employees and or- beneficiaries. Based on other life ex- Values and Characteristics and as- ganizations, we are in the initial stages periences, I have seen first-hand the sociated “I CARE” logo will also send of developing a program which will importance Core Values can have on a strong signal that we take pride in enable us to identify the members of a large organization and the positive what we do and we care deeply about our VA workforce as well as those VA impact they can have on the work- our mission. It underscores our com- organizations which best exemplify force. mitment to “caring” and is one of our Core Values and Characteristics. In a Department as large and many ways we demonstrate VA is a This program will be enterprise-wide, geographically dispersed as VA—and people-centric organization. As these involve all three of our administra- especially given our moral obligation Core Values and Characteristics be- tions and VACO, and will include an to Veterans, their families, and other come synonymous with our workforce, annual banquet in Washington hosted beneficiaries—it is essential we have I believe it will have a positive effect by the Secretary at which time the one set of agreed-upon Core Values on the perceptions Veterans and oth- winners in the different categories will and Characteristics that guide our ers have of VA. be recognized. individual and collective actions as well as the decisions we make and our Q: How will VA sustain these Core Q: We understand that a new Vision overall direction as an organization. Values and Characteristics over for VA is being developed and will I anticipate our VA workforce will time, and will VA organizations and soon be approved by the Secretary. positively embrace these Core Values individual workers who exemplify How will that Vision be linked to, and Characteristics, and look for ways these values and characteristics be or supportive of, the Core Values to exemplify them in their daily work recognized in any special way? and Characteristics? environment. A: Core organizational values are en- A: Our Core Values define “who we during; by their nature they are made are.” Our Core Characteristics define Q: Do you envision these new Core to withstand the test of time. They are “what we stand for” and what we Values and Characteristics will have not linked to any particular person or strive to be as an organization. Our an effect on Veterans’ perceptions group, so although people come and Core Values and Core Characteristics of VA? go within VA, our Core Values will form the individual and organizational A: Well, that is a very important part remain constant. They become the foundation on which we will develop of our goal. Our Core Values spell out foundation of our VA culture and will VA’s Vision, which will define “where we are headed.” Our Core Values, Characteristics “These new Core Values and Characteristics are and Vision are congruent with our more than just words. They represent our three VA guiding principles: people- centric, results-driven, and forward- promise to do our best, every day, to perform looking. Collectively, these principles our crucial mission.” and Core Values, Core Characteris- tics, and a new Vision will bring us the words “I CARE,” which certainly form the base upon which everything much closer to attaining our strategic is an appropriate message for us to we do as an organization is built. goal of becoming a 21st-century VA. convey to Veterans and other benefi- As part of a healthy and intro- ciaries. Typically, the most important spective process, all successful orga- Q: Is there anything more you want factors that influence perceptions are nizations occasionally review their to say about the VA Core Values actions and behaviors, not words. environment, missions, organizational and Characteristics or VA Vision? These new Core Values and design, business practices, standardized A: I have discussed our Core Values Characteristics are more than just procedures, and other key enablers to and Characteristics with many differ- words. They represent our promise to verify if any revisions are appropri- ent people around the country who do our best, every day, to perform our ate in an ever-changing and complex are part of our VA workforce, and I crucial mission of caring for Veterans, world. This type of introspective received positive feedback from the family members, and other beneficia- and analytical process could include vast majority of those I have spoken ries. reviewing the Core Characteristics with. My sense is that our people These Core Values and Char- to verify if all existing characteristics recognize the need for an overarching acteristics will help focus all of us in are still serving the purpose for which and enduring set of Core Values and the VA workforce on these important they were created. Characteristics and are pleased we and desirable principles, and they will In regards to special recognition now have them.

8 VAnguard • July/August 2011 ... Our Core Characteristics define “what we stand for.”

Our Core Values define “who we are ...”

VAnguard • July/August 2011 9 The Indianapolis VA Regional Office is serving as an “Integration Lab” for testing together the process improvement initiatives that seem most promising. courtesy of vba Keeping Pace With Claims VBA employees create a workload management tool. ar racing aficionados know keep pace with claims demand. The homeless, the system knows to give Indianapolis as home of the tool also helps managers balance their the claimant’s file priority. Indianapolis 500. teams’ workloads. And now a separate The lists include tracking infor- Veterans Benefits Ad- tool based on i-STAT is being scoped mation, so the employees can physi- ministration staff may also soon regard for national implementation. cally go get the folders for each claim. theC city as the birthplace of another “Part of the challenge and frustra- i-STAT also has a mini dashboard kind of platform that serves the need tion for employees is that they face, feature, which enables employees to for speed—in this case a computer on average, 300 claims sitting behind see how their work contributes to program. them that need to get worked,” says team performance targets. The Indianapolis Segmenta- Ena Lima, Indianapolis Veterans “I like the fact that i-STAT as- tion Timeliness Assessment Tool Service Center manager. “That’s signs cases without the human factor (i-STAT) gives Indianapolis VA overwhelming. The tool tells them or any prejudice involved,” says Eric Regional Office staff a quick and easy which case to focus on next, so they’re Francis, a rating Veterans service way to determine which Veteran’s always working on the right one.” representative in Indianapolis. “No claim to work on next. The tool was RSVR can say or feel they are being created by VBA employees, who are Desktop icon singled out for certain cases.” confident it will prove crucially impor- In day-to-day terms, the excite- For managers, the tool gives a tant to the progress of VBA’s claims ment surrounds an icon that now quick snapshot of their teams’ work- transformation campaign, given the appears on Indianapolis employees’ loads, and it enables them to regulate thousands of claims awaiting Veterans computer desktops. Double clicks assignments based on the workloads. If service representatives’ attention. on the icon yield a customized list of an employee is out of the office, man- An outgrowth of VBA’s efforts to claims assigned to them. The claims agers can use the tool to shift that per- eliminate the claims backlog, i-STAT are prioritized based on rules that have son’s assignments so the claims do not helps employees move claims through been programmed into the tool. For sit idle while the employee is away. the decision process, so VBA can example, if a claimant is known to be “i-STAT makes work assignment

10 VAnguard • July/August 2011 virtual,” says Sara Ferris, a coach in ment then surfaced; specifically, how In March, Indianapolis staff as- the Indianapolis office. “As the coach, to divide up the work and track which signed to the “Express Lane” (which I no longer have to hand-deliver cases employee is responsible for which handles claims with one or two all day. It makes work assignment fair claim. claimed conditions) began using the and equitable.” Like other regional offices, India- first version of i-STAT. By now, all napolis’s long-standing protocol for Indianapolis employees assigned to I-Lab addressing the issue had been based the processing teams use the tool, i-STAT came to life because of a on claimants’ terminal digits (which while the programming team contin- new role for the Indianapolis VA Re- are the last two digits of the claimants’ ues to refine it. gional Office. Social Security numbers). Each em- “Each time we get together, we VBA has undertaken roughly four ployee was assigned to work all claims add functionality,” says Marr, an as- dozen initiatives geared toward elimi- with a specific terminal digit. “When sistant coach at the Louisville office nating the claims backlog and process- we got away from terminal digits, we who is on a recurring detail to the ing all Veterans’ claims within 125 lost some of the accountability,” says I-Lab. “So we’re incrementally mak- days with 98 percent accuracy. Natalie Gries, management analyst ing it work better. Since Indianapolis VBA leadership has designated for the Indianapolis office. “We had is a lab environment, it’s also a sort the Indianapolis office as VBA’s In- to find a way to get the accountability of lab for the workload management tegration Lab, or I-Lab, for testing back.” tool. We already have lots of lessons together the process improvement ini- learned that we hopefully can glean tiatives that seem most promising. Database software from and make a national tool the Given the new role for Indianap- i-STAT was originally designed best it can be.” olis, last December the service center by Anthony Shows, the training man- management team reconfigured how ager at the Milwaukee VA Regional National tool the office triages, develops and rates Office, who in conjunction and co- Discussion about a similar tool claims so they could test the initia- ordination with Gries and three col- for all regional offices began soon tives together. Where previously In- leagues—including Louisville’s Jason after VBA executives saw i-STAT in dianapolis Veterans service represen- Marr, Togus’s Edward Perry, and Of- action. “That’s what kicked off the tatives worked the full scope of claims fice of Business Process Integration’s national version,” Marr says. that came in—which is the case at Vail Brown—leveraged their database And that version, now called the most regional offices—they segmented software expertise to build i-STAT. Intelligent Work Queue, has taken on the workload based on number of is- They programmed it to make assign- a life of its own. sues per claim and complexity. ments based on criteria in each claim The tool presents a similar ap- The issue of workload manage- file and employees’ workloads. proach to workload management— ensuring the right claim is with the right employee at the right time. It also aligns individuals’ performance targets with regional office and national targets. A key distinction is the Intelligent Work Queue is programmed to assign work based on terminal digits. “I definitely think it’s a step in the right direction,” says Perry, a management analyst at the Togus VA Regional Office, who also is on part-time detail to the I-Lab. “As we begin to roll it out, we will have more concrete evidence of how it improves performance.”

Left: The Integration Lab environment cre- ates more opportunities for collaboration among team members. Pictured left to right are: Susan Burke, Natalie Gries, Mike Ste- courtesy of vba phens and Deb Street.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 11 he James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Fla., has started a new Challenge Coin Program for the Vet- erans served in our Post-Traumatic TStress Disorder Clinical Program. Our Veterans have been instru- mental in this process through their recognition of the value the Chal- lenge Coin Program holds for those who have PTSD. Discussion of the potential benefits of this new program has led to full support and funding by a group of individuals who recognize the struggles of those who suffer from PTSD following their return from combat. We designed the coins. Peter Martin, CEO of Ameripack Inc., funded the program, and Ben Baar, CEO of B&R Tactical Corporation, produced the coins. Retired Maj. Gen. Hawthorne L. “Peet” Proctor, a Vietnam Veteran, brought all parties The front of together to make this project possible. the Tampa VA’s Martin’s business supports military challenge coin for Veterans initiatives. His company donates a with PTSD. portion of all its sales to the Wounded steve hollingshead Warrior Project. Baar, a retired Army officer, began his military career in Berlin in the early 1980s. After 21 years of service, his career ended because of wounds Marking the sustained while deployed to Iraq during a 2003 combat tour. The foundation of Baar’s company is “serving Journey to those who serve.” Proctor entered the Army in 1969 as a second lieutenant and served during the Vietnam War. He rose to Recovery the rank of major general, serving as the 46th Quartermaster General of the Army. Even in retirement, his Tampa VA’s challenge coins are commitment to serve “his” soldiers continues. a reminder to Veterans The challenge coin has been an American military tradition for almost completing PTSD treatment of 150 years. All major campaigns, going back to the Civil War, show evidence what they’ve accomplished. of the use of the coins as not just a shows the pride and lineage of belong- specific unit. Often presented by unit token, but as a symbol of membership ing to such a unit. commanders and senior non-commis- in a group representing ideals greater These custom-made coins bear sioned officers to soldiers for exem- than oneself. Today, each military unit mottoes, crests and colors, and plary work done “above and beyond,” coin symbolizes unit identity and represent a close affiliation with that these coins have a special place in

12 VAnguard • July/August 2011 military culture and tradition. their accomplishments with the pre- mission is to reach out and connect The Vietnam War pointedly cap- sentation of a challenge coin. This to those who hesitate to seek treat- tured the importance of the challenge spirit of exemplary service, shared ment for PTSD by attending outreach coin. According to Soldiers magazine, sacrifice and unit cohesion continues, events and speaking engagements. the 11th Special Forces Group created even as our service members leave the Sharing their stories and helping to coins to show their unique identity military and enter the VA system of guide others in seeking treatment is and special bond forged as warriors, care. part of giving back to their brothers part of an elite group of soldiers. For our Veterans who struggle and sisters who have also fought for What some might misconstrue as with PTSD secondary to traumatic our freedoms. a simple token of remembrance was, events that occurred during service The challenge coin holds life- in fact, much more and had a much to our country, seeking mental health long meaning for our Veterans who greater effect on unit morale. For treatment is often extremely difficult. have PTSD. It also helps others seek those who served, this coin helped Veterans tell us that they are proud treatment, as our Veterans who have strengthen unit cohesion, pride and or that there are other Veterans who begun their journey to recovery show honor during an extremely difficult need our help more. They tell us how their coin to comrades. The chal- time in our nation’s history. By the emotionally overwhelming it is to lenge coin represents hope, courage, mid-1980s, unit coins became popular participate in the treatment process commitment, and the enduring spirit among the members of the various as well as how much relief they have of those who have sacrificed for the branches of service. been able to achieve with treatment. service of our country. The delivery Along with this coin came the This relief improves the Veteran’s of a challenge coin upon completion “coin check,” involving a challenge quality of life and also improves the of the PTSD treatment process ac- and response. This was a simple, lives of their friends, families and knowledges our Veterans’ journey to friendly way of proving your member- loved ones. Participating in treatment recovery. ship in a unit by producing the coin requires the same level of commit- As VA employees, it is so impor- to another who challenged you. The ment, perseverance and hard work tant for all of us to understand and penalty for not having your coin with that many of our Veterans know all appreciate the meaning and value of a you varied from doing push-ups to be- too well. challenge coin given to our Veterans ing appointed to complete some type The delivery of the challenge as recognition of achievement and of task. As a result, many troops car- coin upon completion of the PTSD accomplishment. Spirit of service and ried their coin in their wallet, ready to treatment acknowledges a Veteran’s connection to the military and the respond to any challenge. journey to recovery. It validates their long-standing traditions never leave When Veterans or service mem- struggles along the way and their dedi- our Veterans. bers pick up coins they were present- cation to continue forward and face The delivery of a challenge coin ed—whether it was one week ago, these obstacles. They have chosen following completion of an emotion- one year ago, or 20 years ago—they the path of engaging in mental health ally difficult treatment process for will tell you that they remember their treatment and are recognized for this PTSD brings tears to the eyes of our accomplishment, and that the coin outstanding accomplishment and Veterans. They are as grateful for our evokes memories, good and bad. But achievement. Recovery is different service as we are for their service. This most of all they will once again recall for every Veteran, and completion of generous gift from Veterans to Vet- the powerful feeling of esprit de corps. treatment is just the beginning. erans has implications far beyond the For our Veterans with PTSD The receipt of a challenge coin clinical program. who receive mental health services, also represents significant individual It is our hope that sharing this the treating providers who work with accomplishment during treatment program within the VA community these individuals notice their drive, for PTSD. For some Veterans, this will lead the way to more facilities and motivation and dedication to com- may include special contribution to PTSD clinical programs offering this pleting their mental health treatment the mission of the James A. Haley valuable military tradition and recog- and assignments. Our Veterans want Veterans’ Hospital Trauma Recovery nition to those who have borne the to reach their goals and work hard to Program. battle. This is our challenge to other achieve them by facing their challeng- The mission to serve those who VA facilities. es and pushing forward to completion. have not yet come through the Editor’s note: Co-author Dr. Carri-Ann Military personnel all around the doors, and to serve those who need M. Gibson is a physician at the Tampa world carry, collect and trade unit continued care, is often mobilized by VA. Her husband and co-author, A. Mi- challenge coins. It is an honor for a Veteran Peer Support Volunteers. For chael Gibson, is a West Point graduate service member to be recognized for some of our Veterans, part of their and CEO of G2 Fuel Technologies.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 13 Stepping Up for Homeless Veterans First nationwide VA2K Walk and Roll draws an overwhelming response from employees.

ometimes an idea is so pitch- ual ideas. “We wanted everybody to n In Bedford, Mass., formerly home- perfect it moves an entire have their own kind of walk and roll, less Veteran Joe Ramage played the organization. The first na- to feel free to tweak the event, and guitar and sang the national anthem. tionwide VA2K Walk and they did that,” said Awosika. n In Fresno, Calif., an employee Roll started with that kind of idea—to Enthused VA employees got to dressed as “Toucan Canny” led a Ssupport employee fitness and home- work and set up festive, 2K (1.2 mile) group of fans. less Veterans. But even the event’s walking courses in their communities. n In Salem, Va., a group of employees organizers were surprised by the They found creative ways to pump brought together their musical talents. overwhelming response from VA em- up the event with extras such as live n In Detroit, a disabled Veteran ployees on June 2. Nearly 17,000 par- music, stretching exercises, Zumba joined employees on a tree-lined path. ticipants, including more than 1,800 classes, a mid-course yoga session, Participants across the country Veterans, joined in at 155 sites across five-minute massages, and even a received visors and buttons from VA the country that day, far beyond ex- barbecue lunch. At one site, a previ- Health & Wellness and water from pectations. ously homeless Veteran sang the na- the Veterans Canteen Service. Some “I was thinking about an event tional anthem. “That’s the one I got sites ordered colorful T-shirts and that could get people excited about most emotional about; it touched my provided healthy snacks. Each site being physically active and also heart,” said Awosika. decided on its own list of donations benefit the Veterans we care about. The VA2K course for the Sierra for homeless Veterans and posted that Going out for a walk is easy to do, it Nevada Health Care System in Reno information for employees, who gave doesn’t require much prep time and led to a grand opening ceremony that generously with toiletries, socks, un- can be done during lunch break,” said day for the newly designed Healing derwear, clothing, shoes, boots, blan- Ebi Awosika, M.D., director of the Gardens Homeless Shelter for Veter- kets, bedding, small appliances, clean- Veterans Health Administration’s ans. Among other highlights: ing supplies, paper products, dishes, Employee Health Promotion Disease n In Washington, D.C., at VA Cen- shower curtains, silverware and rugs. Prevention Program, who led the suc- tral Office, Deputy Secretary W. Scott The lead organization, Employee cessful VA2K with Program Manager Gould led more than 400 employees Health Promotion Disease Prevention Sandie Schmunk. Most facilities on the 2K walk. He was accompanied Program, within the Public Health of- hosted the event between 11 a.m. and by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Hu- fice of VHA, combines occupational 1 p.m. local time. man Resources Management Tonya safety programs with health promo- While a national planning group Deanes, VA Health and Wellness tion activities to help staff members of several VA organizations provided Program Manager Kara Szirotnyak, make healthy lifestyle choices. The guidance to VA facilities on prepar- and Awosika. program focuses on four general areas: ing for and running the event, local n In Durham, N.C., a group of exu- physical activity, tobacco cessation, coordinators and planning committees berant employees got revved up for stress reduction and healthy eating. were encouraged to add their individ- the walk. Other VA organizations involved

14 VAnguard • July/August 2011 Veterans are homeless in the United States. Veterans account for nearly one-third of all homeless people nationwide. The overflowing boxes and bags of donations will go a long way to help homeless Veterans with their basic needs. “A great event for a great cause” is how smiling, energized employees described their experience. “This shows the passion VA has for our homeless Veterans,” said Awosika. VA2K planners are already sharing ideas for next year’s event and will soon be contacting sites across the country. Look forward to an even big- ger and better event in 2012!

By JoAnn Blake anthony santoya

kristin pressly

Clockwise from left: Employees in Detroit head out on their walk, joined by a disabled Veteran; An employee dressed as “Toucan Canny” leads a group of fans in Fresno, Calif.; In Bedford, Mass., formerly homeless Veteran Joe Ramage played the guitar and sang the national anthem.

VA2K By the Numbers Participating sites: 155 Medical facilities: 145 larry marchionda States represented: 45 in national planning were VHA’s Homeless Veterans Participants: 16,847 Program, VA Homeless Programs Office, VHA Com- Veteran participants: 1,852 munications, Veterans Canteen Service, VA Voluntary Items collected: 25,911 Service, Office of Nursing Services, National Center for Estimated value of contributions: $172,000 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and VA’s Estimated calories burned: 2,092,376 Health & Wellness Team. The event blends well with VA’s five-year plan Estimated fun value: Priceless! to end homelessness for Veterans. More than 150,000

VAnguard • July/August 2011 15 Their Service Will Never Be Forgotten The Fargo VA helps support Honor Flights to pay tribute to America’s World War II Veterans.

e shall not flag Flight is a volunteer organization that portunity to share the experience with or fail. We shall is funded entirely through the gener- his father, James Hancock, a WWII go on to the end. osity of its supporters and is the sole Veteran. “I was able to bring my dad, We shall fight in active North Dakota member of the who was a Pearl Harbor survivor and France, we shall fight on the seas and the Honor Flight Network. had not had the opportunity to go to oceans,“W we shall fight with growing confi- On May 6, the Roughrider Honor Washington to see the memorial that dence and growing strength in the air, we Flight flew out of the Bismarck, N.D., was created for these heroes.” shall defend our island, whatever the cost Airport with what would be the last The Fargo VA has also been may be. We shall fight on the beaches, group of WWII Veterans. It was the deeply involved in fundraising efforts we shall fight on the landing grounds, we fifth Honor Flight for the Roughriders. to support these flights. Through the shall fight in the fields and in the streets, “When I agreed to chair this effort,” work of the Fargo VA Employee As- we shall fight in the hills; we shall never said Kevin Cramer, co-chair of the sociation and the generosity of VA surrender.” - Winston Churchill Roughrider Honor Flight committee, staff and volunteers, the Fargo VA These famous words inspired “I knew there would be a first flight was able to donate well over $5,400 to more than 16 million Americans to and I was pretty sure there would be a the final Roughrider Honor Flight. serve and defend their country and second. I was amazed when we began “It says a lot about the employees its allies during World War II. By organizing the fifth flight. We made here,” said Cindy Bartholomay, one the time the National World War II the commitment to do this as long as of the organizers of the fundraising Memorial in Washington, D.C., was there was a local WWII Veteran able event. “When you think of how much completed in 2004, more than half of and ready to go.” money was raised, it’s unbelievable. Veterans who fought in a World War Through its commitment and This is a difficult time, money is tight, had died. fundraising efforts, the Roughrider and still, they came through.” In 2004, a retired Air Force Honor Flight made it possible for This was the third fundraiser the captain and VA physician’s assistant more than 500 additional local Veter- Fargo VAEA has held for the Honor named Earl Morse developed the ans to visit the memorial. The Fargo Flights. In total, Fargo VA employees concept of Honor Flight to provide VA Health Care System has sup- have donated well over $17,000 to WWII Veterans the chance to visit ported these flights in various ways, support these flights. Bartholomay their memorial. The first North Da- including providing medical support was also able to serve as an escort on kota Honor Flight was developed by on numerous Honor Flights since one of the original Honor Flights and committee members of the WDAY their inception in 2007. describes the trip as one of the most WWII Honor Flight in 2007. This Most recently, Dr. Brian Han- memorable times of her life. group played host to four flights in- cock, chief of staff for the Fargo VA When the Veterans and volun- viting Veterans from North Dakota, Health Care System, was able to par- teers returned to Bismarck on May 7, South Dakota and Minnesota to visit ticipate in the final Roughrider Honor they were greeted by students, family the WWII memorial free of charge. Flight as head physician on the medi- and community members welcoming More than 800 Veterans flew out of cal team. “This is another way for us them home. Most surprising to them, Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., during at the Fargo VA to demonstrate our however, was the support they re- the original flights. commitment to all of the Veterans, ceived from complete strangers while In response to a need for ad- but in this particular case, those from in Washington, D.C. ditional flights, the first Roughrider the WWII generation,” said Hancock. Hancock said that while the Honor Flight was organized in Sep- Making this trip even more group was visiting Arlington National tember 2008. Roughrider Honor meaningful for Hancock was the op- Cemetery, more than 150 middle

16 VAnguard • July/August 2011 school students began applauding for are echoed in the hearts of every Vet- sionals from the Fargo VA have pro- the WWII Veterans, and that was eran who visited the monument that vided medical support to the Honor only one example of impromptu sup- day. He expressed gratitude for not Flights since they started,” he said. port the Honor Flight participants only the opportunity to participate in “The staff members who volunteer get received. “None of these children the final Roughrider Honor Flight, but a very special reward from the oppor- were born when this war was occur- for the treatment he and every Vet- tunity to directly serve these Greatest ring,” said Hancock, “yet these were eran received during the entire trip. Generation Veterans who sacrificed so spontaneous eruptions of support, “I think the Roughrider Flight much for our country.” pride, honor and respect for men and was set up for royalty because the Many of those involved with women who participated in a war that treatment we received was beyond the Honor Flights, from organizers these students have only read about in description,” Selleys said. “Each Vet- to those who were driven to donate history books.” eran seemed like he was being treated to such a worthy cause, have felt the Tom Selleys, a longtime volun- individually, from the takeoff in Bis- same sense of pride, duty and honor teer at the Fargo VA and a WWII marck to landing back in Bismarck, it toward the Veterans these flights have Veteran who joined the Army at the felt like each Veteran was led around served. “I am so overwhelmed by the age of 16, was also a participant on personally and given every kind treat- [Fargo VA] employees’ generosity,” the last Roughrider Honor Flight. ment imaginable.” said Bartholomay. “It just shows why When asked what he enjoyed most The continued support of the this is such a wonderful place to work. about the trip, Selleys found it dif- Honor Flights by the Fargo VA We all feel the same passion and love ficult to choose, but described the Health Care System was important to of serving our Veterans.” memorial as “beautiful beyond words. Michael Murphy, Fargo VA Medical They pulled out all the stops and Center director. “Health care profes- By Karinn R. Davidson made it a monument of beauty, brav- ery and valor.” Selleys is certain his sentiments

Layn Mudder/LPT images Layn Mudder/LPT images

Clockwise from top left: Veterans were greeted by active-duty soldiers at the Bismarck, N.D., airport prior to departure; Pearl Harbor survivor James Hancock with sons Dr. Brian Hancock, left, and Keith Hancock; Allyn Hanson, of Bismarck, views the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery; World War II Veteran Tom Selleys poses with friend Terri Schwartz in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Layn Mudder/LPT images Layn Mudder/LPT images

VAnguard • July/August 2011 17 Urologic Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and a professor at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver for 30 years, successfully treated the cancer. Craw- ford said Biro’s experience provides a typical example of how a patient with early prostate cancer warning signs can progress over the years to an actual diagnosis of prostate cancer. “It all started in fall 2006,” said Biro. That’s when Crawford noticed a rising prostate specific antigen level, a key marker for prostate cancer. He recommended a standard 12-core transrectal biopsy, which came back negative. But because Biro’s PSA level continued to rise at subsequent three- month checkups, he said, “Dr. Craw- ford put me on Avodart.” Over the next two years, it reduced his PSA level from 5.6 ng/dl to a stable 1.95 ng/dl. Although Biro responded well to Avodart, in spring 2009, Crawford recommended a new test that mea- sures the concentration of prostate cancer antigen 3 gene in urine. Biro’s results were slightly elevated, Craw- ford said. “I took another PCA3 test in fall 2009,” added Biro, “and it was even higher.” Accordingly, Crawford recommended a second biopsy, which also came back negative. However, added Crawford, “Tran- Scary Diagnosis, srectal biopsies are imperfect. Often people must undergo multiple sets of them to find a cancer.” Effective Treatmentnathan armes/university of colorado A spring 2010 PCA3 test heightened Biro’s fears. “I remember dis- Targeted focal therapy brings tinctly,” he said. “I was in Washing- ton, D.C., where I had traveled for a health care executive, prostate meeting, and got an e-mail saying that my PCA3 level had doubled to the cancer survivor peace of mind. high 80s,” a level which indicates a ancer is always a fright- pected. Even though his preliminary high probability of prostate cancer. ening word, even for a diagnosis indicated low-risk disease, Unsure of what to do, Biro called high-profile member of the he said, waiting for his final diagnosis Crawford, who quickly e-mailed sev- health care community. For and learning what stage cancer he had eral colleagues. One of them—the Larry Biro, director of the VA Heart were very stressful. PCA3 test’s inventor—suggested an Cof Texas Health Care Network (VISN Fortunately, Biro’s low-risk cancer MRI. When this also found no cancer, 17) in Dallas, getting the diagnosis of was small. A team of physicians led by Crawford recommended a 3-D map- prostate cancer was scary and unex- E. David Crawford, M.D., director of ping biopsy, a cutting-edge technique

18 VAnguard • July/August 2011 .

Opposite: According to his doctor, Larry Biro’s experience is a typical example of how a patient with early prostate cancer warning signs can progress over the years to an actual diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Left: Dr. E. David Crawford, director of Urologic Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, goes over prostate biopsy results with Larry Biro. A 3-D mapping biopsy showed Biro had low- grade cancer. The 3-D mapping biopsy is a technique Crawford helped pioneer. Standard transrectal biopsies sometimes do not find cancer, even when it is present.

nathan armes/university of colorado he helped pioneer at UCCC. helpful, he said, “I had always feared likened to a “male lumpectomy,” said Biro underwent this one-hour the possible side effects from a whole- Crawford. procedure in June 2010. Rather gland solution for a cancer that af- The procedure itself, performed than taking the standard 12 samples, fected a tiny fraction of my prostate.” by Crawford in October 2010, took or cores, Crawford took 50 cores, Radiation therapy or radical about 60 minutes. Afterwards, Biro guided by a template placed under the prostatectomy—completely irradiat- wore a catheter for four days. perineum, to produce a computerized ing or removing the prostate gland, “After that,” he said, “there were 3-D map of Biro’s entire prostate. respectively—often leaves patients a few minor complications, such as “We now know this biopsy with many side effects, including in- blood in the urine,” a normal side ef- method yields information as valid as continence and erectile dysfunction, fect which lasted a couple months, but a post-surgery, whole-mount patho- Biro explained. no sexual or other side effects. logic specimen would give us. Now we “The thought of wearing diapers At his first post-TFT checkup, have a pretty complete picture of the for the rest of my life and losing sexual his PSA had dropped 80 percent, Biro disease within the prostate, and we function over one small spot of cancer added. “Months out, everything has can make more personalized treatment wasn’t appealing,” he said. gone as planned.” recommendations for each patient,” So instead, Crawford recommend- Indeed, Crawford said that for said Crawford. Biro’s 3-D mapping ed either active surveillance—closely selected patients with prostate can- biopsy showed low-grade (Gleason monitoring Biro to make sure his cancer, TFT appears to provide a safe, grade 6) cancer in 10 percent of one cer wasn’t growing—or targeted focal effective treatment option. “Ap- biopsy core. therapy. Guided by the 3-dimensional proximately one-third of the men who Fortunately, Biro already knew a biopsy map, TFT destroys only the are diagnosed with prostate cancer lot about treatment options. “This had diseased portion of the prostate by are potentially candidates for active been going on for nearly four years,” freezing it with cryotherapy. surveillance or TFT.” In UCCC’s starting with his high PSA in 2006. “I couldn’t see doing active sur- experience, with more than 250 3-D As supervisor of the VA health care veillance,” said Biro. “Knowing that I mapping biopsies, he added, “about 40 system and social services for most had cancer, I didn’t know what I’d be percent of patients turn out to have of the state of Texas, which includes waiting for. I felt like I might as well low-grade cancers that are amenable four VA medical centers that provide get it done.” to TFT.” care to 300,000 Veterans, he added, In that regard, he said TFT pro- For more information, visit “I talked to a lot of doctors and read vides an intermediate option between www.3dprostate.com or call Dr. Clif- hundreds of articles.” active surveillance and radical treat- ford Jones, University of Colorado Although the information was ments. This focal therapy may be Urologic Oncology, 720-848-0684.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 19 ‘Plastic surgeon to the stars’ uses his skills to help Veterans with severely disfiguring wounds.

best burn center and private sector’s plastic and reconstructive surgeons. “I feel it’s a tremendous opportunity to give back to those who laid it all on the line for us,” said Dr. Timothy Miller, chief of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Being a plastic surgeon, it’s truly a privilege for me to be able to give back.” Beverly Hills surgeon Miller takes a lot of ribbing for being the “plastic surgeon to the stars,” but make no mistake: he has a deep appreciation for and understanding of what Vet- erans go through in battle and has a Dr. Timothy Miller as an Army strong desire to help them out. doctor in Vietnam. courtesy of timothy miller “I know what it’s like to be shot at,” he said. ike so many Veterans of tion that changes the lives of service Miller earned his military street previous conflicts, today’s men and women exposed to impro- credentials serving two years in Viet- young Veterans of Iraq and vised explosive devices that have left nam as an Army doctor. He’s already Afghanistan carry the scars severely disfiguring results. Envisioned provided life-changing plastic surgery of battle buddies getting killed, long by Ronald A. Katz, executive com- to three fellow Veterans from the VA Ldeployments and painful combat mittee member of the Ronald Reagan Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Sys- wounds. The scars they bear not only UCLA Medical Center Board, Opera- tem and is anxious to help even more. reflect the mental anguish but also the tion Mend offers returning service “Veterans don’t know Operation visible wounds of combat. members and Veterans with severe Mend exists,” said Miller. “Most peo- Operation Mend is an organiza- facial injuries access to the military’s ple do not know this type of plastic

20 VAnguard • July/August 2011 Dr. Timothy Miller examines Marine Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin during an office visit. Mankin was Operation Mend’s first patient in 2007. He was wounded in 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated under the amphibi- ous assault vehicle he was traveling in.

ucla surgery on severely disfiguring wounds service members interested in this free rangements, medicine and hospital can be done.” service need to provide documenta- expenses are provided free of charge Miller hopes more Veterans who tion they sustained burn injury in to Veterans or service members who sustained severe burn injuries in Iraq Iraq or Afghanistan. They also need participate in Operation Mend. and Afghanistan will reach out to Op- to send photos to UCLA, where For more information or to make eration Mend for assistance. Miller and his staff can review them. donations, visit http://operationmend. According to Miller, Veterans or Everything from travel to hotel ar- ucla.edu, or call 310-206-0500.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 21 Logan Heagy, 4, shows his aunt, Jennifer Peterson, the VA activity book he got at Kidz Camp at the Kansas City VAMC.

pamela james All Fun and Games Kidz Camp entertains dependents of Veterans at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. ogan Heagy, 4, colors pa- course and needed a final project. to be around the facility was going to tiently as his aunt and uncle Noticing that the children, and of- grow. watch him from their wait- tentimes grandchildren, of Veteran Working off a limited $20,000 ing room chairs. Next to his patients were brought in to doctor’s budget from a patient-centered care chair and scattered about on the pint- appointments, she realized there was grant, the team brainstormed the Lsized table are Lego blocks, crayons a need for an activity center to keep most creative ways to incorporate a and even a toy dump truck. Heagy is them occupied in the waiting rooms. children’s atmosphere into the facility. one of the first kids to try out the new A mother herself, James knew Determining where to put the center “Kidz Camp” concept at the Kansas the hardships of getting children to was the first step. After a search, the City VA Medical Center in Missouri. sit still, behave and wait. After she facility’s intensive care unit waiting The concept was developed by brought her idea to the public affairs room was deemed the logical choice. Pamela James, medical technologist/ officer, the executive leadership team Often, family members are placed microbiologist in the Kansas City quickly jumped on board to make the there for extended periods, await- VAMC’s Pathology and Laboratory VAMC a more family-friendly place. ing news of a loved one’s health. For Medicine Division. James, a 31-year With a new women’s clinic in opera- little kids, the ICU can be a sterile, employee of the VAMC, was in the tion and extended weekend hours, the scary place. In addition, the facility’s midst of a leadership development staff knew the potential for children hospice unit and three waiting room

22 VAnguard • July/August 2011 clinics received Kidz Camp activity would “bother the sick people.” Congress established the childcare centers. Due to the success of the program initiative as part of the Caregivers Installed in January, the Kidz and limited costs to install, there are and Veterans Omnibus Health Ser- Camp features tables, wall activity future plans to bring two more Kidz vices Act of 2010, signed by President boards, and even a VA activity book Camp centers to the facility’s admis- Obama in May 2010. The pilot cen- featuring fun facts, coloring pages, and sions waiting area and radiology area. ters include Northport, N.Y., Tacoma, puzzles about Veterans and the Kansas Additionally, a large primary care Wash., and Buffalo, N.Y. Operated City facility. Brand new four-count waiting room is being redesigned to on-site by licensed childcare provid- crayon packs, non-toxic and washable, incorporate a “kid-friendly” compo- ers, the centers provide for children are waiting for children ages 3 and up nent. According to Glenna Greer, ages six weeks to 12 years, and drop-in when they pick up their VA activity Kansas City VAMC public affairs services are offered free to Veterans books from the clinic check-in areas. officer, “the timing is perfect. We are who are eligible for VA care and visit- To keep clutter to a minimum, left- seeing more kids in the medical center ing a facility for an appointment. over crayons and coloring books are with their Veteran parents, grandpar- In a recent survey, VA found discarded by housekeeping at the end ents and caregivers.” that nearly a third of Veterans were of their daily shifts. In general, childcare opportuni- interested in childcare services, and Among the wall-mounted activity ties pose a major concern among VA’s more than 10 percent had to cancel units, one of three or reschedule VA ap- in the Kidz Camp, is VA activity books await pointments due to lack “Funny Face.” Chil- children on a table at of childcare. “While dren can pick from Kidz Camp. the number of women various magnetic Veterans continues to noses, mouths, ears, grow, they use VA for eyelashes, and other health care proportion- facial features to cre- ately less than male ate an amusing face Veterans,” said Patricia on a white laminate Hayes, chief consultant board. Another with the VA Women unit, called “Touch Veterans Health Stra- N’ See,” features a tegic Health Care temperature-sen- Group. “We hope that sitive background. by offering safe, secure When the surface is childcare while the touched, it changes Veteran attends a doc- color based on a tor’s appointment or person’s body heat, therapy session, we will allowing children pamela james enable more women to “finger paint” Veterans to take ad- without the mess. In “Bug Town” Veteran patients. In July, VA Secre- vantage of the VA benefits to which and “Treasure Chest,” kids are able to tary Eric K. Shinseki announced the they are entitled.” move attached puzzle pieces through launch of free, drop-in childcare ser- Women Veterans are one of the a maze, offering plenty of twists and vice centers at three VA medical cen- fastest-growing segments of the Vet- turns. According to staff, the “Giggle” ters, part of an effort to improve access eran population. Of the 22.7 million mirrors, which allow kids to contort to health care for the growing number living Veterans, more than 1.8 million their reflections into all sorts of shapes of women Veterans. “We know that are women. They comprise nearly 8 and sizes, even causes some of the many Veterans, particularly women percent of the total Veteran popula- Veteran patients to happily join in Veterans, are the primary caretakers of tion, and 6 percent of all Veterans and play. young children,” said Shinseki. “We who use VA health care services. So far, Veteran patients and kids want these Veterans to have the op- VA estimates women Veterans will alike are happy with the setup of the portunity to access the high-quality constitute 10 percent of the Veteran Kidz Camp. One 5-year-old saw the health care that VA offers, and we be- population by 2020 and 9.5 percent of activity center in the women’s clinic lieve that these childcare centers will VA patients. and told the nurse he was happy he make it easier for Veteran caregivers could play and not make noise that to visit VA.” By Amanda Hester

VAnguard • July/August 2011 23 Bruised But Not Beaten The National 9/11 Flag visits the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. tanding opposite the south ness, respect and honor overwhelmed “Veterans, the men and women who tower of the World Trade them as their eyes met the American pledged to honor and protect this Center, the West Street flag, lying majestically in the center. nation, are like the American flag,” Building was enveloped in The combined color guard circled said Medical Center Director Ann R. plumes of smoke and debris when the room with flag bearers carrying Brown. Sthe twin towers collapsed. The north the American, West Virginia, VA, “They are a symbol of our unity as façade of the building was charred and POW/MIA flags, while the honor a people. Without them, we could not and gutted, but a 30-foot be whole.” American flag, sus- After guest speakers pended from the scaf- and honor guard, eight folding of a renovation members of the commu- project, survived. nity nominated as local With deep tears service heroes were asked and stains, the flag to place their stitch in hung as a memorial the flag. One such hero, over the remains of the American Legion Rid- World Trade Center. A ers, Post 14 Director and work crew at Ground Veteran Brian Tolstyka Zero recovered the flag said, “This was a once- and placed it in stor- in-a-lifetime opportunity age, where it waited for to show the honor and seven years. love for our country.” With the ap- Following the cer- proaching 10-year an- emony, everyone was niversary of Sept. 11, invited to stitch. The that same flag is being line of people waiting to sewn back together leave their mark on his- one stitch at a time by tory spilled out the door. citizens of every state. Veterans unable to stand The New York Says were wheeled to the flag, Thank You Founda- their hand guided with tion is on a mission to the needle through a restore the National patch of deep red fabric. Original remnants of the 9/11 Flag with the help National 9/11 Flag lay in One Veteran was so of Veterans, police of- the foreground, reassembled moved that he broke ficers, firefighters, and with restorative patches from into tears and almost col- American flags destined for local service heroes. retirement. lapsed. Emotion flooded On June 21, the Mar- kathryn morris the room. tinsburg (W.Va.) VA The day came to a Medical Center was honored as the guard of the 167th Airlift Wing, West close when members of local fire and second VA medical center in the na- Virginia Air National Guard, assem- police departments carefully folded tion to host a stitching ceremony for bled at each corner of the National the flag into the traditional triangle the flag. 9/11 Flag. before it continued on its journey As each person entered the room The room was silent. For many, across the country. for the occasion, deep emotion was faded patches of cloth and thread visible on many of their faces. Sad- would never again mean so much. By Sarah Tolstyka

24 VAnguard • July/August 2011 Going the Distance for a Cause Three VA retirees bike across the country to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

ill Miller, Curtis Hunter and Don Williams are all in their 60s, all avid bicyclists, all VA retirees, and all recently shared an adventure. BThey left in April from Yorktown, Va., to ride more than 3,900 miles to Astoria, Ore., on the American Bicy- cle Association’s TransAmerica Trail. The trip took about three months. “We’ve been so excited about this, like three little kids waiting for Christmas to come,” said Miller during the journey. Hunter and Williams have another connection that’s not so happy. They have relatives who have late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. For Williams, it’s his mom who no longer knows who he is. courtesy of bill miller Hunter’s brother-in-law also Left to right: Bill Miller, Don Williams and Curtis Hunter biked more than 4,000 miles. has the affliction that robs 5 million Americans of their memories before liams earned the Iron Butt Award by Riding with bloated panniers is stealing their lives. riding his motorcycle in 49 states in much harder in the wind. After all, That’s why the men used the seven days. After that motorized feat, the trio was going into the prevailing coast-to-coast bike trip to raise funds Williams decided to try riding two winds that blow west to east across for the Alzheimer’s Association. Their wheels sans motor. the United States. Miller said the goal was to raise $10,000. Online con- The next year, he joined Miller choice let them start earlier in the tributions were being accepted at alz. on RAGBRAI. Hunter joined them year than they would going the other kintera.org/sportingevents/transam. the year after that when a doctor way because of the chance for snow in Miller returned to central Illi- told him to quit running to spare his the Rocky Mountains. nois to retire after a career with VA knees. Going west, the sun was not in in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Not long ago, one of them sug- their eyes—or the eyes of passing Hunter and Williams were co-workers gested they ride across the country. motorists—during the morning, when with Miller at VA. All three worked The idea was to ride totally unsup- much of the riding was done. in the information technology field. ported by motorized vehicle. If they The men tried to cover about They stayed good friends. wanted it along, they had to carry it 60 miles a day. Nights were spent in Miller rode a bike all his life. themselves—camping gear, cookware, campgrounds and hostels. His first multi-day trip was the Cycle clothing, everything. During the day, they found librar- Across Maryland, a ride of about 400 Miller was training by adding ies or a WiFi connection to upload miles. bricks to his panniers, the packs that blogs at the popular website for tour- Eventually, he heard about attach to his bike, a Surly Long Haul ing cyclists, crazyguyonabike.com. RAGBRAI, the annual bicycle ride Trucker. But he switched to loading Editor’s note: This story by Scott Rich- across Iowa. actual gear when experiments re- ardson originally appeared in The Panta- He first did that ride just after the vealed that training with sheer weight graph, Bloomington, Ill.; it was updated new millennium, the same year Wil- wasn’t enough. and adapted for VAnguard by Tim Clifton.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 25 AROUND HEADQUARTERS

Allison Hickey Sworn in as Under Secretary for Benefits

Retired Brig. Gen. Allison A. Additionally, Hickey Hickey, a 27-year Veteran of held the position of Air Force the Air Force, Air National Future Concepts and Trans- Guard and Air Force Reserve, formation Division Chief, and a graduate of the first U.S. focused on the integration of Air Force Academy class to technologies, organizations include women, was sworn in and operations that became as VA’s Under Secretary for the model for the Air Force of Benefits. 2025. Hickey, a pilot and air- She also brings private craft commander, has 17 years industry experience, leading of leadership in Department of human capital management Defense strategic and transfor- as an executive for Accenture mation planning, program and in its work for the National resource implementation, pub- Geospatial-Intelligence Agen- emerson sanders lic and congressional affairs, cy, and supporting operational and quality and organizational business processes for other Allison Hickey is sworn in by VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki as her husband, Robert, looks on. management. intelligence community or- She served as head of the ganizations in the areas of Veterans and their families serving Veterans.” Air Force’s Future Total Force customer relationship manage- experience every day,” said Hickey replaced Acting office, and as Assistant Deputy ment, call center practices, and Hickey. “I also have personal Under Secretary for Benefits Director of Air Force Strategic other 21st-century information knowledge of the issues and Michael Walcoff, who will be Planning, leading one of the technology systems. sacrifices made by military retiring from VA after more largest mission and culture “As a recently separated families—including those of than 35 years managing the change efforts the Air Force Veteran, I have first-hand our National Guard and Re- Department’s benefits pro- has gone through since its in- experience with the transition serve. I am excited to be part grams and 57 field offices, ception. processes that thousands of of the VA team focused on with nearly 20,000 employees.

Steve Muro Sworn in as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs

Steve L. Muro, a Vietnam the cemetery administration’s Veteran with leadership ex- Office of Field Programs. Dur- perience at every level of the ing that period, he twice led National Cemetery Adminis- NCA in achieving the unprec- tration, was sworn in as Under edented American Customer Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Muro had been Acting Under score of 95 percent. Secretary for Memorial Affairs In October 2008, Muro since January 2009. received the Presidential Rank Starting in 1979 as an au- Award as a Meritorious Execu- tomotive mechanic at the Los tive. Awarded to fewer than Angeles National Cemetery, 5 percent of senior federal ex- Muro’s life’s work has been ecutives, the award recognizes linked with VA’s memorial af- exceptional leadership, accom- fairs administration. He served plishments and service over in leadership positions at eight an extended period. Also in michael l. moore national cemeteries and as October 2008, he was named director of Memorial Service Deputy Under Secretary for VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki officially appoints Steve Muro as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Muro was officially sworn in on June Network IV, based in Oak- Memorial Affairs. He was 6; he’d served as Acting Under Secretary since January 2009. land, Calif., responsible for named Acting Under Secretary cemetery operations in nine for Memorial Affairs on Jan. who served two tours in Viet- Stoddert (DDG22) and a tour Western states. From 2003 to 21, 2009. nam, including tours onboard with a mobile construction 2008, Muro was director of Muro is a Navy Veteran the destroyer USS Benjamin Seabee battalion.

26 VAnguard • July/August 2011 AROUND HEADQUARTERSOUTLOOK

14 VA Executives Honored With Presidential Rank Awards

Each year, the President ceived 2010 Presidential Rank recognizes and celebrates a Awards during a ceremony at small group of career senior The Army and Navy Club in executives with the Presidential Washington, D.C., on July Rank Award. Recipients of this 14. “These men and women, prestigious award are strong with their energy, intellect, leaders and professionals who drive and determination, have achieve results and consistently lifted VA to a higher plane, demonstrate strength, integ- making government live up rity, industry, and a relentless to its potential for good,” the commitment to excellence in Secretary said. public service. VA’s Distinguished Ex- There are two categories ecutive recipients were: Susan of rank awards: Distinguished Bowers, Director, VA South- and Meritorious. Award win- west Health Care Network ners are chosen through a rig- (VISN 18), Mesa, Ariz.; and orous selection process. They Peter Henry (retired), Direc- are nominated by their agency tor, VA Black Hills Health james lucas heads, evaluated by boards Care System, Fort Meade, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki applauds the Department’s 2010 Presidential comprised of private citizens, S.D. Rank Award recipients at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in July. and approved by the President. Meritorious Executive re- The evaluation criteria focus cipients were: Phillipa Ander- Assistant Inspector General for Central Office; Thomas Las- on leadership and results. son, Assistant General Coun- Management and Administra- towka, Director, Philadelphia Distinguished Rank re- sel, Office of Government tion, Office of the Inspector VA Regional Office & Insur- cipients receive a lump-sum Contracts, VA Central Office; General, VA Central Office; ance Center; Timothy Liezert, payment of 35 percent of Dr. Carol Batten-Fillman Kevin Hanretta, Deputy As- Director, Orlando VA Medi- their rate of annual basic pay; (retired), Director, St. Paul sistant Secretary, Office of cal Center, Florida; William Meritorious Rank recipients VA Regional Office, Minne- Emergency Management, VA Nicholas (retired), Director, receive 20 percent of their rate sota; William Cox, Director, Central Office; Roanoke VA Regional Of- of annual basic pay. All recipi- Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Samuel Jarvis (retired), fice, Virginia; and Ronald ents receive a framed certificate Center, Clarksburg, W.Va.; Director, Muskogee VA Re- Walters, Director, Office of signed by the President. John Dandridge Jr., Direc- gional Office, Oklahoma; Finance and Planning & Chief VA Secretary Eric K. tor, VA MidSouth Healthcare William Paul Kearns III, Chief Financial Officer, National Shinseki honored the 14 Network (VISN 9), Nashville, Financial Officer, Veterans Cemetery Administration, VA Department leaders who re- Tenn.; Richard Ehrlichman, Health Administration, VA Central Office.

VA Launches Major Effort to Reach Out to Women Veterans

VA has embarked on a major Women Veterans are one started placing calls on June 1, of the gender-specific services initiative to reach out to wom- of the fastest-growing segments is contacting women Veterans we offer, and what additional en Veterans to solicit their of the Veteran population. Of who have enrolled, but have services they would like to see input on ways to enhance the the 22.7 million living Veter- not begun using VA services. VA offer.” health care services VA pro- ans, more than 1.8 million are “Through this contact The HRC representa- vides to women Veterans. women. They comprise nearly center, we are placing friendly, tives making the calls are also Representatives at VA’s 8 percent of the total Veteran conversational calls to women informing women Veterans Health Resource Center are population and 6 percent of all Veterans,” said Patricia Hayes, about the services VA offers placing calls to women Veter- Veterans who use VA health chief consultant for VA’s and quickly connecting them ans nationwide, asking them care services. Women Veterans Health with appropriate departments to share their experiences with VA estimates by 2020 Strategic Health Care Group. if they are interested in trying VA and suggest potential en- women Veterans will consti- “We want these Veterans and VA health care. Veterans who hancements that will further tute 10 percent of the Veteran their caregivers to talk candidly have complaints about VA are VA’s mission to provide the population and 9.5 percent of about why they are not using connected to a patient advo- best care anywhere. VA patients. The HRC, which VA, whether they are aware cate who helps resolve issues.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 27 AROUND HEADQUARTERS

PMF Program Draws Best and Brightest to Work in Government

In April, the Presidential agency through a two-year ap- Management Fellows Program pointment during which they attracted thousands of students are challenged with a variety from across the nation to par- of tasks that require tactical ticipate in a highly selective and strategic skills. In addition job fair in Washington, D.C. to working at a single federal Representatives from dozens of agency, fellows have the option federal agencies competed for to participate in a rotational the best and brightest seeking opportunity at another agency. a meaningful career opportu- The program’s main objective nity. is to develop potential govern- “Being part of this year’s ment leaders. PMF Job Fair was a great “The PMF program has experience,” said Corrine D. been an excellent way for me Smith, who represented the to become part of VA,” said VA New England Healthcare current VA fellow Zeke Reich, System at the event. “The Alternative Dispute Resolu- event was well organized. We tion specialist, Class of 2010. emerson sanders were able to meet so many “Looking around at this year’s Kimberly Waggoner, special assistant to the director at the Martinsburg wonderful candidates, and we PMF job fair, I was very excit- (W.Va.) VA Medical Center, speaks to PMF finalists about the benefits of working for VA. conducted more than 30 inter- ed to think that a new genera- views.” tion of PMFs will be joining event. in both cases interviews were Each year, the Office of us soon.” “I reinforced friendships scheduled and carried out with Personnel Management re- These students are look- that began at my in-person professionalism and tact.” cruits recent graduates from ing for careers that will accom- assessment in Atlanta, clarified Presidential Manage- top master’s and doctoral pro- modate their scholastic and position descriptions posted ment Fellows are available for grams from accredited colleges employment attributes. Since online, made strong contacts hire year round, providing a and universities worldwide. federal agencies offer many of at several agencies, and had constant stream of top talent Fellows can be hired at the the benefits and career pros- some very favorable inter- to hiring managers. Each year, GS-9, GS-11 or GS-12 level pects a PMF is seeking, VA views,” said Matt Deaton, a the PMF Program recruits (or equivalent). provides information about 2011 PMF finalist. thousands of applicants and The Presidential Manage- every branch of the Depart- “I must say that VA stood puts them through a rigor- ment Fellows Program selects ment and also conducts on-site out in terms of recruitment ous screening process. Only only the best candidates to interviews for qualified fellows. and organization before and the best become PMF final- become finalists. Just one in It is essential to establish a during the fair,” Deaton add- ists. Inquiries about the PMF 10 applicants are ultimately highly positive image of VA, ed. “I pursued two positions program can be sent to lisa. chosen for a fellowship. its mission, and to emphasize within VA, and in both cases [email protected], or visit the Fellows are able to ex- what sets VA apart from the my e-mails and phone calls OPM/PMF website at www. perience working at a federal other federal agencies at the were returned promptly, and pmf.opm.gov.

National Historic Landmark Status Granted for Four VHA Sites

On June 17, the Secretary of earliest ancestor—the National were listed, VHA had only al Historic Landmark status is the Interior designated four Home for Disabled Volunteer two properties listed as Na- also extended to the national VA medical centers as Nation- Soldiers: Milwaukee (former tional Historic Landmarks: the cemeteries located at these four al Historic Landmarks—the Northwestern Branch); Moun- Governor’s House at Togus, sites. highest honor and level of rec- tain Home, Tenn. (former Maine, and a Silurian archaeo- There is a distinction ognition for historic properties Mountain Branch); Leaven- logical site on the grounds of between being listed on the in America. worth, Kan. (former Western the Milwaukee VAMC. All of National Register of Historic The newest National Branch); and Hot Springs, the former National Homes Places versus listing as a Na- Historic Landmarks are all S.D. (former Battle Mountain had cemeteries on them, and tional Historic Landmark. former branches of the Veter- Sanitarium). in 1973 they were designated Properties nominated for ans Health Administration’s Before these four sites as national cemeteries. Nation- either category must meet

28 VAnguard • July/August 2011 AROUND HEADQUARTERSOUTLOOK

PMF Program Draws Best and Brightest to Work in Government certain age, historic integrity and significance criteria, and survive a stringent review process; however, listing as a National Historic Landmark requires that a property be of national significance and that the architecture and site retain an exceptional level of historic integrity and character. National Historic Land- marks represent the “cream of the crop” in American history or architecture, and these four medical centers now join other significant American landmarks—like the White House, U.S. Capitol, Monticello, and Hoover Dam—in representing an important part of the nation’s past. Each of the new landmark sites will be honored with a bronze plaque from the Secretary of the Interior. The National Historic Landmark Program was established in courtesy of vha history office 1935 and is administered by The newest National Historic Landmarks are all former branches of the Veterans Health Administration’s the National Park Service on earliest ancestor—the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, including the Northwestern Branch behalf of the Secretary of the in Milwaukee. Interior. earliest ancestor. VA’s Historic involved in the project. NHDVS%20Draft%20Two. VA partnered with the Preservation Office, the Na- Visit this site to read the pdf. Additional information on National Park Service in 2004 tional Cemetery Administra- nomination report executive the National Historic Land- to conduct a historical study tion History Program, and summary: www.nps.gov/his- marks can be found at: www. of sites constructed by VHA’s the VHA History Office were tory/nhl/Downloads/NHDVS/ nps.gov/nhl.

VHA Launches Pilot Electronic Health Record Training Web Site

The VA Office of Health training. All resources are Once logged on, users www.MyVeHUCampus.com Information and Office of at your fingertips, available can enter “disease” as a search today,” said Gail Graham, act- Informatics and Analytics have for access from the comfort criterion and get a return ing Assistant Deputy Under launched a pilot project called of your own office or from on all related courses. If you Secretary for Health, VHA MyVeHU Campus. anywhere there’s an Internet don’t know where to begin, Office of Informatics and Ana- MyVeHU Campus is a connection—from within or the questions in “Interview lytics. “MyVeHU Campus will Web-based application that as- outside of the Department’s Search” will guide you to nar- continue to expand and meet sists staff with electronic health firewall. row your search by Track, users’ needs.” record training no matter their Phase I of MyVeHU Topic, Keywords, Year, Title For questions, contact location. Launched April 26, Campus has a super, simple, or other detail until you ar- Becky Monroe, director of MyVeHU Campus offers ac- smart search tool to expedite rive at the selected course. training and strategy, VHA cess to EHR training tools searching for specific EHR MyVeHU Campus also offers Office of Informatics and created from a collection of training courses. Whether you bookmarking and favorite Analytics, at Becky.Monroe@ VA eHealth University confer- are looking for a course on features to enhance the user’s va.gov, or 319-430-0445. Take ences. disease management or you are learning experience. time today to log on and join MyVeHU Campus is searching for a specific health “We hope VA staff will the nearly 2,250 users from designed to provide the best prevention topic, MyVEHU make MyVeHU Campus their various countries already tak- learning on VA’s award- Campus is your one-stop, on- campus for EHR learning by ing advantage of MyVeHU winning EHR through online line solution. enrolling and bookmarking Campus.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 29 INTRODUCING

Patrick Sheehan INTRODUCING Patrick Sheehan knows all too transportation services for well the perils of riding the people with disabilities. Metro in the Washington, “Mr. Sheehan has been D.C., area. Not only does he a champion for people with deal with the crowded trains, disabilities, devoting much of delays and noise daily—he is his life to improving accessibil- also visually impaired. ity in the Washington region Several years ago, Sheehan and across the country,” said was approaching a train at the Christian T. Kent, Metro’s Silver Spring, Md., station and Assistant General Manager of stepped toward a spot of light Access Services. “We are grate- that to him indicated an open ful for his leadership and are car door. In fact, it was a space pleased to present him with between the cars, and if Shee- the Heddinger Award.” han hadn’t realized that at the Since 2002, Sheehan has last minute, the mistake could served as director of the Sec- have been fatal. “If I had fallen tion 508 Program Office with- into the tracks and the train in VA’s Product Development robert turtil started up, I could have been Product Assessment Compe- Patrick Sheehan is an advocate for disabled rights and access. crushed, or at least very badly tency Division in Washington, hurt,” said Sheehan, 57. D.C. He also serves as VA’s tions, software applications throughout the United States. To prevent such ac- Section 508 coordinator, and operating systems. Sheehan has chaired the cidents, Sheehan, chairman representing the Department Sheehan often talks to AAC for WMATA for the past of the Accessibility Advisory in all matters dealing with in- IT professionals, procure- 20 years, working on transit Committee that works with formation technology confor- ment officials and disabled issues for disabled persons. Metro, lobbied to make door mance, including interpreting VA employees to explain what He also previously served on barriers a standard part of the 508 requirements and how Section 508 is, what disabled the board of directors with Metro’s rail cars. In addition, they will be implemented en- employees can expect from the American Council of the Sheehan, who lost much of terprise-wide. At VA, Sheehan VA regarding access, and the Blind, working on issues such his vision in an accident at age is responsible for ensuring that agency’s responsibilities under as transportation and pedes- 33, has been a driving force all electronic and information Section 508 and Section 504, trian access for blind and low behind several improvements, technology VA buys, procures, which prohibits discrimination vision individuals. including the installation of maintains or develops meets against people with disabilities. To Sheehan, campaign- barriers between rail cars, the requirements of Section But Sheehan doesn’t stop ing for disabled rights and guaranteed elevator access and 508. at just making sure VA is com- access is more than just a job. He is satisfied that the needs “Now accessibility is integrated into the overall design of what of disabled people are now we are doing. It’s not an afterthought or add-on.” taken into consideration on all Metro projects. “Now acces- better station lighting. Shee- Section 508 ensures pliant with Section 508. In sibility is integrated into the han also led the effort to line that federal employees and fact, he has become an expert overall design of what we are platform edges with a bumpy members of the public with in his field, giving talks in the doing,” he said. “It’s not an material, making it easier for disabilities have access to and community, advocating at afterthought or add-on.” blind people to detect them use of information and data public forums, and campaign- By Amanda Hester with canes. comparable to that of employ- ing for disabled access rights For his efforts, Sheehan ees and members of the public across the D.C. area. He has Access and was recently awarded the 2010 without disabilities, unless advocated on behalf of people Richard W. Heddinger Acces- an undue burden would be who are blind on a number of Safety for All sible Transportation Award by imposed on the agency. Sec- issues, including the installa- Patrick Sheehan was the Washington Metropolitan tion 508 compliance applies to tion of Accessible Pedestrian awarded the 2010 Richard Area Transit Authority. The everything from desktop and Signals at street intersections W. Heddinger Accessible award honors a person or or- portable computers, to video throughout the state of Mary- Transportation Award by ganization whose efforts have and multimedia products, land, which resulted in a fed- the Washington Metropoli- resulted in significant improve- Web-based Internet and Intra- eral decision to install audible tan Area Transit Authority. ments to accessible public net information and applica- traffic signals at intersections

30 VAnguard • July/August 2011 MEDICALOUTLOOK ADVANCES

Researchers Seek Clues who were 65 or older in the to Combat Stress late 1990s. It tracked their sur- Resilience and vival through 2008. Longer Life in Purple It is estimated that more Heart Medal than a million service mem- A study led by VA research- bers received a Purple Heart ers found that aging Veterans in World War II, and nearly who earned the Purple Heart 119,000 in the Korean War. show decreased mortality In recent years, researchers compared with those who had with VA and the Department not earned the medal. Ad- of Defense have sought insight ditionally, those war-wounded into the psychological and Veterans who survive into later neurobiological factors that en- life—especially those who do able some service members to not develop post-traumatic avoid developing PTSD after stress disorder (PTSD)—may traumatic events. provide valuable clues as to the The authors of the new factors that lead to resilience to VA study say Purple Heart combat stress. holders who survive long past A team of VA researchers their war experience without who studied more than 10,000 PTSD may be the ideal popu- Veterans of World War II and lation on which to focus such the Korean War produced research. these findings, which appeared “Our theory was that online in the journal Depres- there are many factors that michael L. moore sion and Anxiety. “Among the contribute to resilience to A VA study found that aging Veterans who received the Purple Heart older Veterans we studied, PTSD, and these same factors show decreased mortality compared with those who did not receive those with Purple Heart cita- may increase survival,” said the medal. tions had half the mortality Kimbrell. PTSD may have been less his VA role, is also a professor rate of those without Purple The researchers were likely to survive until age 65 at the University of Arkansas Heart citations,” said lead au- surprised to find that among in the first place; the PTSD- for Medical Sciences. He col- thor Tim Kimbrell, M.D., a Purple Heart recipients, those Purple Heart group included laborated on the study with physician-researcher with the with PTSD had slightly lower in their study may have been other authors from his site, as Center for Mental Health and mortality than those without an exceptionally healthy and well as with colleagues from Outcomes Research, based at PTSD. This is a contradiction hearty cohort of Veterans. the Houston Center for Qual- the Central Arkansas Veterans to several studies that have The researchers say fur- ity of Care and Utilization Healthcare System. shown a link between chronic ther studies involving these Studies, at the Michael E. Whether the Purple Heart stress conditions such as PTSD Veterans, as well as those who DeBakey VA Medical Center; holders had chronic PTSD and worse survival. were wounded in combat but Baylor College of Medicine; or not, they were about twice Kimbrell and colleagues did not develop PTSD, may the Ralph H. Johnson VA as likely to still be alive after suggest this finding is due to lead to new insights to help Medical Center in Charleston, some 10 years of follow-up, what they term “early attri- prepare future service members S.C.; the Medical University compared with those with no tion.” Those who had been to cope with the stress and of South Carolina; and the Purple Heart and no PTSD. physically injured in World trauma of war. University of Texas Health The study included Veterans War II or Korea and suffered Kimbrell, in addition to Science Center.

Bariatric Surgery Study of the Journal of the American for 850 obese Veterans who patient services. Looks at Survival Impact Medical Association. had received the procedure at The study also compared in Older Veterans In recent years, there has one of 12 VA bariatric surgery mortality rates for 847 obese In the first study to compare been a substantial increase centers between 2000 and Veterans who had received survival associated with bar- in the prevalence of obesity, 2006. These Veterans were bariatric surgery and 847 iatric surgery in mostly male which is a challenge to treat. considered to be “high risk” matched obese Veterans who patients, bariatric surgery was Bariatric surgery is the most due to older age and greater had not received bariatric sur- not significantly associated effective way for severely obese weight in comparison to more gery. Patients were followed with decreased mortality, ac- patients to achieve weight loss. than 41,000 obese Veterans for nearly seven years. cording to a research study The bariatric surgery who had not received bariatric The study was designed published in the June 15 issue study compared mortality rates surgery, but had used VA out- to shed light on the benefits of

VAnguard • July/August 2011 31 MEDICAL ADVANCES bariatric surgery in a defined found that bariatric surgery group of patients over a lim- was not significantly associ- ited timeframe. Despite this ated with reduced mortality. study’s findings, investigators Maciejewski recommends that are not suggesting VA stop do- Veterans who are considering ing bariatric surgery for certain bariatric surgery in VA, and patients. who are similar to Veterans ex- “Significant weight loss amined in this study, “should results in improved disease be counseled by their VA sur- control and quality of life for geon that bariatric surgery may patients, so there are many not impact their survival in reasons why patients like those the medium term (6-7 years), in our study may still want to but that the long-term associa- undergo bariatric surgery,” said tion with mortality remains Dr. Matthew Maciejewski, the unknown.” study’s lead investigator and Moreover, because a high part of the Health Services proportion of Veterans with Research and Development diabetes or high cholesterol are robert turtil Center for Health Services able to discontinue their medi- In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of obe- Research in Durham, N.C. cations after bariatric surgery, sity, which is a challenge to treat. “Also, other studies, conducted he suggests that longer-term on different patient popula- survival benefits be examined but notes this is just one study. Maciejewski also does tions, have found bariatric sur- for Veterans who had bariatric “It is by conducting leading- not recommend that insurers gery to be associated with re- surgery after 2006, before VA edge research studies such as stop covering bariatric surgery duced mortality and have also changes its policy or guide- this one on bariatric surgery, for high-risk patients based suggested that survival benefits lines. and evaluating the meaning in on these study results because, from surgery-induced weight Dr. Joel Kupersmith, the context of all rigorous sci- “survival is just one aspect of loss may take longer than six VA’s chief research and devel- entific evidence, that VA Re- the cost-effectiveness of bar- years to become evident.” opment officer, notes that VA search provides the foundation iatric surgery, which has been An analysis of the 1,694 considers all associated evi- for optimal Veterans’ health shown to be cost-effective for propensity-matched patients dence in any policy decision, care,” he said. eligible patients.”

Special Journal services research, with more homeless women Veterans and the bi-monthly peer-reviewed Showcases VA Women’s articles published between those with traumatic brain journal of the Jacobs Institute Health Research 2004 and 2008—the first four injuries. of Women’s Health at the A special supplement of the years after the VA Office of “With women expected George Washington University journal Women’s Health Issues Research and Development to make up 10 percent of the School of Public Health and published July 13 shows the established its women’s health Veteran population by 2018,” Health Services. The journal tremendous growth and di- agenda—“than in the previous said VA Under Secretary focuses on applied research versity of VA women’s health 25 years combined.” for Health Robert A. Petzel, in women’s health care and research in recent years. The supplement also M.D., “our goal of excellence policy issues. Titled “Health and includes 18 peer-reviewed in health care for all of our The special supplement, Health Care of Women research articles addressing nation’s Veterans makes it im- focused on research related to Veterans and Women in the the changing demographics perative that we prepare now the health issues of women Military: Research Informing and demands of VA health to meet future demands.” Veterans and military women, Evidence-based Practice and care presented by the recent VA Chief Research and was sponsored by the Health Policy,” the special journal surge of women Veterans into Development Officer Joel Ku- Services Research and Devel- edition, known as a supple- the VA system. Among the persmith, M.D., noted, “VA opment Service, VA Office of ment, features commentaries topics addressed are: gender Research is making a tremen- Research and Development, by VA investigators examining differences and disparities in dous difference in the lives of with support from the Women the role, history and future of care; mental health, including women Veterans. The supple- Veterans Health Strategic women’s health research. military sexual trauma and ment clearly shows the scope Health Care group. For example, in an open- substance abuse; post-deploy- and depth of VA’s research Free full-text access to ing commentary, Elizabeth ment health, including post- portfolio and the many ways the supplement’s articles on M. Yano, Ph.D., and Susan traumatic stress disorder; qual- we are working to improve the VA women’s health research is M. Frayne, M.D., discuss the ity and delivery of care; and health of women Veterans.” available at www.whijournal. heightened focus on health special populations, including Women’s Health Issues is com/supplements.

32 VAnguard • July/August 2011 HAVEOUTLOOK YOU HEARD

Sock Hop Brings Back Memories Nebraska Health Care The VA Hudson Valley Health Care System’s Professionals First in VA Castle Point campus holds several dances each to Attend Homeland year to enhance cultural transformation initia- Security Training tives in the Community Living Centers. Many Eleven health care profession- Veterans love to reminisce about the past, and als from the VA Nebraska- the CLC residents suggested a sock hop. Nutri- Western Iowa Health Care tion and Food, Recreation Therapy, Voluntary System were the first in the and Nursing Services collaborated to make this Veterans Health Administra- event a “blast from the past.” tion to attend an integrated All aspects of the dance immersed the training program at the Center residents back in time to the ’50s, from the for Domestic Preparedness, food—mini hamburgers, French fries and root in Anniston, Ala., in June. beer floats—to the soda shop, music and juke- The CDP is operated by the box-themed décor. Fifties music was provided Department of Homeland by a disc jockey, and staff dressed in ’50s attire Security’s Federal Emergency to add to the ambience. Residents, volunteers, Management Agency. It is the and family members from the Montrose and only federally chartered weap- Castle Point campuses attended, socialized and ons of mass destruction train- danced to the music. ing facility in the nation. “Getting together for an event really The VA employees at- stimulates the residents and brings back good Resident tended the Healthcare Leader- Charles Ferris thoughts,” said Catherine Napoli, associate takes time out ship for Mass Casualty Inci- chief for Extended Care at VA Hudson Val- to pose with dents course, which is a four- ley. “What a wonderful outing we had,” said his recreation day, 32-hour program that Charles Ferris, a disabled Veteran and Purple therapist, provides health care responders Heart recipient. christine coulter Charles Leitch. an opportunity to address realistic decisions regarding an all-hazards disaster in a facility- based exercise. The course is Rhode Island National Guard Commanding General Enrolls at Providence VA a combination of lecture and When the Providence (R.I.) VA Medical Center opened its nationally recognized Operation En- exercises, providing respond- during Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Clinic back in February 2010, the goal was to provide ers a foundation on which to OEF/OIF Veterans a one-stop shopping model of integrative primary and behavioral health care make critical decisions during as well as an opportunity to seek after-hours care. The Clinic became an overnight success and, to a fast-paced final exercise. date, has more than 400 newly established patients. It was recently re-designated as the OEF/OIF/ The CDP develops and OND Post-Deployment Clinic to include delivers advanced training for Veterans participating in Operation New emergency response providers, Patient Care Dawn and now provides Veterans with both emergency managers, and oth- Assistant Valerie their initial and follow-up appointments. er government officials from Machado takes On May 25, the Clinic welcomed one state, local and tribal govern- Maj. Gen. Robert ments. The CDP provides Bray’s vital signs. of its newest enrollees. Maj. Gen. Robert Bray, commanding general of the Rhode more than 50 training courses Island National Guard and adjutant for the that focus on incident manage- state of Rhode Island, joined the long list ment, mass casualty response of newly established patients who have en- and emergency response to a rolled and are receiving their health care at catastrophic natural disaster or terrorist act. Resident training thomas antonaccio the Providence VAMC. Just like every other Veteran who establishes care with VA, Bray at the CDP includes health underwent a vesting examination, which care and public health courses includes a primary care screen as well as mental health and traumatic brain injury screens. He also at the Noble Training Facility, met with representatives from the Providence VA Regional Office, the Vet Success on Campus the nation’s only hospital dedi- Program, and the local Wounded Warrior Project. cated to training health care “The Providence VAMC’s implementation of the OEF/OIF Clinic has provided a unique professionals or their agency. one-stop shopping model of care for our Veterans,” Bray commented after his visit. “The service is fantastic, but it is the VA’s employees that make the difference. Especially their smiles.” Bray recently tendered his resignation from his position as state adjutant and commanding general, Rhode Island National Guard, effective June 30.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 33 HAVE YOU HEARD

VA Palo Alto Project Ribbons Cut for VA’s Delivers Disaster Kits to First and Second Free- Veterans With Dementia Standing Dialysis Clinics Governments must react to Over a two-week period, the disasters, but they can also VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care learn from past experience and Network (VISN 6) hosted respond accordingly. That’s official ribbon-cutting ceremo- the spirit behind the VA Palo nies for VA’s first two free- Alto Health Care System’s Ge- standing dialysis clinics. The riatric Research Education and clinics, located in Fayetteville, Clinical Center/Geriatrics and N.C., and the Brier Creek area Extended Care pilot project to of Raleigh, N.C., were first distribute disaster education conceived in 2008 to address and disaster kits to Veterans the growing need for dialysis with memory loss. among Veterans in North The GRECC team Carolina. aligned with Home Based gail gullickson According to VISN 6 Primary Care program rep- Navy Veteran Ray Chastain and wife Charlotte receive a disaster kit Director Dan Hoffmann, the resentative Abbie Layton and from Betty Wexler, clinical nurse specialist. network developed a long- the VA San Jose Adult Day range plan that focused on Health Care Program representative Sue Anne McLean to develop and disseminate these kits. The building internal capacity to team put together 550 disaster kits and began distribution on June 24 to Veterans and caregivers provide dialysis and to estab- through Home Based Primary Care, Adult Day Health and GRECC clinics. The kits contained lish best practices in provid- such things as a crank radio, an emergency beacon, a first aid kit, photo ID and emergency contact ing dialysis care for Veterans. number holders, hand sanitizers, gloves, face mask, key information related to behavior manage- “Bringing these clinics on line ment strategies in a disaster and other helpful disaster response information. clearly demonstrates our com- “These kits are intended to support Veterans with special needs,” said Dr. Nancy Oliva, ge- mitment to caring for Veter- riatric fellow with the GRECC. “Research conducted after 9/11 revealed the special problems en- ans, and our responsiveness countered by frail older adults and other populations of need. Memory loss can occur in Veterans, to their specific and localized particularly in older adults, as a result of various dementias, previous traumatic brain injury and needs,” Hoffmann said. post-traumatic stress disorder. Disaster preparedness in a vulnerable Veteran and caregiver popula- The VA Dialysis Clinic at tion calls for anticipatory guidance and structured support in the form of the basic information Fayetteville is a 16-station clin- and supplies in the disaster kits.” The kits cost $25 each. Much of the money came from commu- ic that will serve 64 Veterans, nity donations. and the VA Dialysis Clinic at Brier Creek is a 12-station clinic that will serve 48 Veter- Cleveland VA Medical Center Empowers Veterans and People With Disabilities ans. According to Dr. Wissam In May, the Cleveland VA Medical Center hosted its first-ever career fair strictly for Veterans and Kourany, medical director of people with disabilities. “The focus of the event was to knock down barriers that Veterans and the Brier Creek clinic, bring- people with disabilities often face when seeking employment, by arranging informational meetings ing dialysis under a single with managers in our organiza- umbrella of care enhances tion,” said recruiter Chuck continuity of care and allows Bonacci. Out of the 79 job for consistent and integrated seekers that attended, 11 are oversight of medical records. being considered for hire. This gives the Veteran’s entire “This fair was not formed health care team the ability to to hire Veterans and people maintain continuous awareness with disabilities; it was formed of each Veteran’s treatment to hire highly qualified in- and status. dividuals who happen to be Hoffmann stated that Veterans and people with dis- “while the unfortunate fact is abilities,” said event coordina- that the need for dialysis in tor Shawn Beham. Supervisors this area is expected to grow, praised the job seekers for their the fact that we are here today enthusiasm and motivation. is testament to VA’s commit- Many were blind, mentally barbara breen ment to meeting those needs.” challenged, or Veterans with The job fair was consistent with VA’s goals for hiring more employees service-connected disabilities. with disabilities and Veterans.

34 VAnguard • July/August 2011 HAVEOUTLOOK YOU HEARD

Fort Bliss National VA Butler Hosts First Cemetery Honors PTSD Awareness Day Seven Unaccompanied VA Butler (Pa.) Health- Veterans care successfully hosted an Seven Veterans whose re- inaugural Post-Traumatic mains had been in the care Stress Disorder Awareness of the coroner’s office in Las Day June 27 in conjunc- Cruces, N.M., unclaimed, tion with National PTSD were laid to rest at Fort Bliss Awareness Day. National Cemetery in Texas Behavioral Healthcare with military honors on July staff members specializing 6. This was a collaborative ef- in the treatment of PTSD fort between the Missing in were on hand throughout America Project, Funeraria Del the day, including psychol- Angel Martin Central Funeral ogists and social workers, Home, Dignity Memorial mary camardelli to offer support, distribute providers, staff at Fort Bliss Director Mat Williams (in suit) carries an Army Veteran’s urn. informational materials, National Cemetery and the Na- and answer questions re- tional Cemetery Scheduling Office in St. Louis. lated to PTSD and PTSD “These Veterans, whose remains, for whatever reasons, have never been claimed by anyone as support services and treat- family—we stand now as their family,” said Mary Slawson, of Funeraria Del Angel. “It is an honor ment options for Veterans and a privilege to be able to provide these soldiers and airmen with the dignified burials they de- and family members. serve.” The procession was led by the Patriot Guard and Freedom Riders. A crowd of more than In addition to making 100 attended the ceremony. Dignity Memorial and the funeral home provided the metal urns, health care professionals each with the branch of service emblem. available, Butler Health- The five Army Veterans’ urns were carried by Army Veterans, including Fort Bliss National care provided information- Cemetery Director Mat Williams, and the Air Force Veterans’ urns were carried by active duty al and resource materials Air Force. An Army and Air Force chaplain each said prayers, followed by taps and folding of the from the National Center flags. As a distant bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” one flag was presented to Las Cruces Mayor for PTSD, QuickSeries® Kenneth Miyagishima, and one to El Paso Mayor John Cook. The other flags were presented to PTSD and TBI booklets, Fort Bliss National Cemetery to fly on the Avenue of Flags. The seven Veterans were placed in the VA Butler Healthcare sup- columbarium at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. port services information, as well as patient education tools and giveaways, Father’s Group Seeks to Change Negative Cycles of Thinking and Behavior snacks and more to em- The Veterans of the Father’s Group in the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Intensive Outreach ployees and visitors alike. Program hosted their “Father’s Day 2011” program on June 16 at the Baltimore VA Medical Cen- VA Butler Healthcare ter, inviting a national fatherhood expert to deliver the keynote address. Joseph T. Jones is CEO is planning to make Na- of the Center for Urban Families and a panel member of the Fatherhood and Healthy Families tional PTSD Awareness Taskforce of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partner- Day an annual event in an ships. About a dozen Veteran fathers also effort to offer accurate and National fatherhood presented their perspectives on the need current information about expert Joseph T. Jones to honor their own fathers, change and what PTSD is and the speaks to the group improve their legacies, modify their roles advances that have been at their Father’s Day as fathers to be more than “providers,” event in Baltimore. made to treat it, dispel the and embrace other roles, such as mentors, myths, and provide the listening boards and role models. opportunity to decrease “I spoke to Father’s Group back the stigma surrounding when it first started, and it is gratifying to mental health issues and see how far it has come and how much PTSD. VA Butler’s Be- it has grown over the years,” Jones said, havioral Healthcare staff noting that the event is now held in an also plans to expand the auditorium with nearly 80 participants. event next year to include The Father’s Group is an elective psy- additional information and richard milanich choeducational group that began in 1999 activities. and is led by Mark Arenas, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist. Since its inception, Father’s Group members have made presentations to VA clinics and programs and at fatherhood conventions, educating others about fatherhood and recovery.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 35 HONORS

Chief Nursing Officer Receives Honorary Degree from Marquette University Cathy Rick, VA’s chief nursing officer, was recognized for a lifetime of service to Veterans when Mar- quette University in Mil- waukee recently bestowed her with an honorary doctorate in science. “Catherine Rick serves as the voice of more than 75,000 nurses in the largest integrated health care system in the world,” said Marquette University President Robert Wild. “Her pioneering efforts over the past decade are cited as a national model for the private sector, setting the stage for health care im- courtesy of marquette university provement for all of us.” Cathy Rick received an honorary doctorate during Marquette University’s May 22 commencement. Partici- pating in her “hooding ceremony” are Father Robert Wild, university president, and Margaret Callahan, Wild said Rick created dean and professor at the school’s College of Nursing. the necessary structures for systems improvement, data-driven inquiry, and the ability for nurses to act at the point of care, concurrently capturing and spreading innovation throughout the entire VA system. “During the recent health reform debate,” he said, “many of Ms. Rick’s innovations within the VA were credited with bending the cost curve and achieving quality across a full con- tinuum of care.” Rick was nominated for her honorary doctorate by Margaret Callahan, dean and professor at Marquette University’s College of Nursing.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance Receives Government Accountants Group Award VA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance Edward J. Murray received the prestigious Achievement of the Year Award from the As- sociation of Government Accountants in July during the organization’s 60th Annual Professional Development Conference & Expo- sition in Atlanta. The AGA Achievement of the Year Award provides national recognition to an individual for outstanding achievement in developing, implementing or improving financial management during the past year. Murray led an effort to deliver specialized training to VA’s entire financial management workforce of approximately 6,800 employees. He led identification of training designed to enhance the technical skills of beginning career employees through senior-level employees, provided multiple venues for staff to obtain recognized financial certifications, set up senior-level training to aid the development of future leaders through attendance at the Chief Financial Officers Academy, and planned and held large-scale financial management conferences. Murray is responsible for the financial management of the second-largest Cabinet department, and one of the most complex from a financial perspective. In fiscal year 2010, VA spent $127.2 billion across a complex range of programs.

Health Administration Center Executive Appointed Baldrige Examiner James McCorvey, chief financial officer for the VA Health Administration Center in Denver, has been appointed by the director of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, Dr. Patrick Gallagher, to the 2011 Board of Exam- iners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive. As an examiner, McCorvey is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and nonprofits (including government). Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award.

36 VAnguard • July/August 2011 OUTLOOKHONORS

Physician-Researcher Honored for Career Achievement VA Employee VA physician-researcher Dr. Michael J. Fine received the 2011 John M. Eisenberg Inducted Into Award for Career Achievement in Research from the Society of General Internal Pennsylvania Medicine recently. “Dr. Fine’s work reflects great credit upon the VA health care Veterans Hall system and our research program,” said VA Chief Research and Development Of- ficer Dr. Joel Kupersmith. of Fame Fine directs the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion The Pennsylvania De- (CHERP), based in Pennsylvania, and is a professor at the University of Pitts- partment of Military and Veterans Affairs inducted a burgh. His innovative research has led to improvements in the clinical manage- VA employee into its Hall ment of community-acquired pneumonia. The work has also helped shape nation- of Fame earlier this year. al and international quality and efficiency standards in this area. In related work, Dr. Rory Cooper, director he recently evaluated an initiative at several VA sites to reduce methicillin-resistant of Human Engineering Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and boost providers’ use of alcohol- Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research based hand rubs, which was recently recognized by the New England Journal of and Development Service Medicine. He also led a major study aimed at shortening the duration of intrave- for VA, was recognized for nous antibiotic therapy and hospital stays for people with pneumonia. his exceptional service to veterans, the military and the nation. Houston VA Executives Receive Award of Merit from Bar Association “Dr. Cooper is a uniquely gifted scien- The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center’s director, Adam Walmus, and Social tist, engineer, inventor, Work executive, Miguel Ortega, were recognized by the Houston Bar Association with educator, author, athlete, an Award of Merit for their support and assistance with the successful legal clinic held at motivational speaker and the Houston facility each public servant,” said Maj. Friday. Walmus and Ortega Gen. Wesley E. Craig, the have been integral to the state’s adjutant general. success of the Bar Associa- “He has dedicated himself tion’s weekly legal advice to improving the lives of clinic for Veterans. Their veterans, people with dis- support and assistance in abilities and service members through advanced navigating VA regulations engineering and medical has made it possible to con- rehabilitation research and duct a legal clinic every Fri- development.” day at the medical center. Since 2004, Cooper The pair has been in- has been co-director of strumental in setting up a the Walter Reed Army network to ensure that Vet- Medical Center’s science erans who enter the hospital symposium on research get the resources they need, to clinical care and medi- including help with legal cal rehabilitation. He is a issues such as family law, co-editor of the Borden landlord/tenant issues, wills Institute’s Textbook of Military Medicine on the and probate, and tax laws. care of combat amputees. Since 2008, the clinic has Cooper led the effort to continued to grow and now bring the National Veter- assists 30-40 Veterans each ans Wheelchair Games to week, with five to eight vol- Pittsburgh this year and unteer attorneys providing served as chairman of the legal advice. event’s local organizing committee. Right: Adam Walmus (seated) and Miguel Ortega received the Award of Merit from the Houston Bar Association. temple webber

VAnguard • July/August 2011 37 HONORS

Promising Houston Cancer IT Deputy Honored by Researcher Receives Award Government Executive Daniel A. Anaya, M.D., a surgical oncologist and VA Deputy Assistant Sec- director of the Liver Tumor Program at the Michael retary Jerry Davis, of the E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, was re- Office of Information and cently selected to receive the 2011 Conquer Cancer Technology, was featured Foundation of American Society of Clinical Oncol- in Government Executive ogy Career Development Award for his research, titled “Postoperative Transitional and Health-Related magazine’s June special is- Quality of Life Outcomes in Elderly Patients with sue “The Chiefs,” spotlight- Colorectal Cancer.” ing innovative chief officers Anaya’s research focuses on using a comprehen- in various disciplines in sive battery of tests geared toward assessing the base- the executive branch. The line health condition of elderly patients to predict Government Executive edito- how surgical and multidisciplinary management of rial team selected Davis to colorectal cancer affects patients’ subsequent quality be featured in the magazine of life and ability to recover their pre-cancer health. because “you have done an This information will assist in the decision-making exemplary job in address- process when considering different treatment strate- ing the challenges your gies and identify specific areas where care provided before, during and after surgery can be optimized. agency faces. We believe our audience—senior lead- The goal of Anaya’s research is to improve overall Dr. Daniel Anaya outcomes in the elderly. Anaya is also an assistant ers from across the federal professor of Surgery/Surgical Oncology at Baylor government and the mili- College of Medicine. tary—would be very interested in hearing about your successes and your views on VA’s Mail-Order Pharmacy Wins J.D. Power Customer Service Award what the future holds.” VA’s mail-order pharmacy program has been recognized as a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Davis was invited to Champion, one of only 40 entities in the United States to earn the distinction this year. “We are speak, along with other fea- honored to receive this distinction and be included in this elite group of companies that focus on tured executives, at a related customer service excellence,” said Rita Brueckner, national quality management officer for VA’s event, part of Government Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy program. “Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and Executive’s long-running we appreciate this external recognition of our efforts.” series at the National Press VA’s CMOP program mails prescription medications and supplies directly to patients. Local Club. The forum offers VA medical center pharmacies almost always process and dispense the initial prescription order; many high-ranking govern- after that, the vast majority of refills are handled via mail order. The goal is delivery of medication ment officials a chance to or supplies to the patient within 10 days of request. VA typically gets the prescription delivered in less than five days. CMOP processed nearly 107 million prescriptions in fiscal year 2010. Every air their views on pressing workday, 300,000 Veterans receive medication or supplies from VA. issues of the day.

Lovell Nurse Wins American Nurses Association Immunity Award Navy Veteran Stephen Dolak, an immunization nurse specialist at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Ill., was recently awarded the American Nurses Association Immunity Award for June 2011. The monthly national immunity award is part of the ANA’s Bringing Immunity to Every Community project. “This award is much more a reflection of my immunization team,” said Dolak. “It’s about this motivated team providing the best care for our patients.” Dolak considerably streamlined the immunization program at the Lovell FHCC’s Fisher Branch Health Clinic by redesigning it to facilitate a larger volume of patients. This change increased the compliance rate for tuberculosis skin test interpretive readings from 60 to 95 percent. The retired Naval officer with 22 years of service also improved the vaccine program to protect against yellow fever, endemic to some tropical regions, while also devising a plan to reduce waste of multi-dose vials of the vaccine. Stephen Dolak lt. vanessa dehner

38 VAnguard • July/August 2011 OUTLOOKHEROES

Dental Professionals Save More Than Teeth and Smiles VA Officers Respond In the early evening of June 16, four to Shots Fired Minneapolis VA Medical Center On May 5, Phoenix VA dental staff members were bicycling police received a phone call around Minnehaha Park following that gunshots were being the annual picnic to honor outgo- fired in the parking lot ing residents. One of them noticed outside the Community a man in the fast-moving creek, less Living Center. The caller than 50 yards from a waterfall. He hung up before providing appeared to be in serious trouble, any details. attempting to grab onto rocks, but VA police officers Er- slipping away. ick DeWerth and Kenneth Giselle Rushin, a VA dental as- april eilers Wright were on duty and sistant, was the first to respond. She immediately responded to jumped off her bike, leaped over the Left to right: Dr. Ipinder Puri, Linda Borash, Giselle Rushin and the area of the CLC, where Donna Young. fence by the creek, and extended a large group of people a hand to help the stranger. Dental assistant Linda Borash, dental hygienist Donna Young and were gathered outside dentist Dr. Ipinder Puri were right behind her. They formed a human chain and began to pull pointing to a man stand- together, but it wasn’t enough to extract the man from the water. Young began yelling for help. ing along the perimeter Fortunately, a couple of bicyclists heard the call and stopped to join the human chain. Together fence line. Apparently, the the group was able to haul the man to safety. The victim was later transported to a hospital. man had been involved in a road rage incident and fired multiple gunshots at the other vehicle. As Offi- Off-Duty Dublin VA Cop Saves Veteran’s Life cers DeWerth and Wright While dining with his family at a local restaurant, Sgt. Craig An- approached, the man be- dreen, of Police Services at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center gan yelling, “I have a gun.” in Dublin, Ga., noticed a man standing at a table with a pan- With weapons drawn, the icked look on his face. The man’s wife yelled, “He’s choking.” officers ordered the man to Without hesitation, Andreen performed the Heimlich maneuver, the ground and successfully forcing the obstruction out and saving the man’s life. After learn- took him into custody. ing that Andreen was a police officer with VA, the victim proud- Assisting in the in- ly proclaimed that he was a Navy Veteran and thanked him for cident were Lt. Norman not only saving his life, but also for his own continued service to Drury, Sgt. Tim Franklin his country as a federal police officer. and Officer Hector Ba- When asked to describe his actions, Andreen said, “I just rahona, who arrived on did what I was trained to do. VA police officers are required to scene while DeWerth and be CPR-certified at all times, and I’ve been a VA cop for seven Wright were taking the years, so I was definitely ready. Besides, public service is what I suspect into custody. Each do.” Chief of Police Frank G. Jordan Jr., was not at all surprised provided critical on-site by his officer’s actions. “Sgt. Andreen never misses an opportu- Sgt. Craig Andreen support by cordoning off nity to demonstrate what true public service is all about.” the area and processing the crime scene. “Their ability to respond quickly, with lim- Middletown Vet Center Therapist Thwarts Suicide Attempt ited information, and place James McMahon, a marriage and family therapist at the Middletown (N.Y.) Vet Center, was on themselves in harm’s way his way home from work on June 10 when he saw a man standing on a bridge with one foot over for the safety of others is the railing looking like he was about to jump. “My initial thoughts were the outcome wouldn’t a true example of courage be good for the guy, or an innocent driver passing by, if he decided to follow through with his and willingness to get the intention,” said McMahon, who immediately turned his car around and went back to talk to the job done,” said Assistant would-be suicide victim. Chief of Police Justin K. “I asked him if he wanted to talk, to which he initially didn’t respond, but moved closer to Flynn. “Both DeWerth the outer edge of the overpass,” McMahon recalled. “I continued to attempt to engage the gentle- and Wright are being man until we began a disjointed conversation about the circumstances leading up to this point in awarded Certificates of the day. At that point, people were driving by slowly, and I asked a passing driver to call the local Commendation.” police for assistance.” McMahon continued to talk to the man until authorities arrived.

VAnguard • July/August 2011 39 Quest for Gold in Hawaii For 25 years, military Veterans age 55 and older have come to the National Veterans Golden Age Games to compete and demonstrate that the warrior spirit never fades. This year, the competition was held in Honolulu May 26-31. More than 900 Veterans from across the country, including Air Force Veteran Alan McCullough, 58, of Indianapolis, competed in 14 different categories for medals. The event is co-sponsored by VA, Help Hospitalized Veterans and the Veterans Canteen Service. It was hosted this year by the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Aloha!

Golden Age Games photography team