Veteran Hiring

Veteran Hiring / en Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:47:26 -0500 Tue, 12 Nov 24 23:03:00 -0600 Caring for the Aging Veteran: Age-Friendly Health Systems at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) /advancing-health-podcast/2024-11-13-caring-aging-veteran-age-friendly-health-systems-veterans-health-administration-vha Approximately nine million military veterans receive their health care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and nearly half of them are 65 and older. In this conversation, Kimberly Wozneak, national lead for Age-Friendly Health Systems, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, discusses how the VHA is weaving four foundational age-friendly principles into its care to support the growing number of aging veterans.To learn more about the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement and the 4Ms, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aha.org%2Fcenter%2Fage-friendly-health-systems&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C2ed84eabcbc64a0015d808dd04ddf173%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638672073467770553%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dUcwvhSu2MsjwTdL8Z2BjCwl%2FapBKqMyEVC811EHrgs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">AHA.org/agefriendly</a>.<hr><div></div><div class="raw-html-embed"><details class="transcript"><summary> <h2 title="Click here to open/close the transcript.">View Transcript &nbsp;</h2> </summary> 00:00:00:10 - 00:00:36:09 Tom Haederle The Age-Friendly health systems movement began in the United States in response to our growing aging population and the need to improve health care for older adults. The basic idea to care approach is to ask older adults a simple but critically important question: what matters to you? Participation in the Age-Friendly model has grown dramatically, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs aiming to become the biggest and most influential member of all. 00:00:36:11 - 00:01:05:27 Tom Haederle Welcome to Advancing Health, the podcast of the �� Association. I'm Tom Haederle with AHA communications. Nine million military veterans receive their health care through the Veterans Health Administration. Nearly half of them are 65 or older. In this podcast hosted by the AHA's Raahat Ansari, senior program manager for Population Health with the AHA Center for Health Innovation, we hear how the VA is weaving the four foundational Age-Friendly principles into its care for veterans nationwide. 00:01:06:00 - 00:01:14:05 Tom Haederle Our guest is Kimberly Wozneak, national lead for Age-Friendly Health Systems with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. And now, here's Raahat. 00:01:14:07 - 00:01:24:12 Raahat Ansari Thank you so much, Kim, for joining us and taking time out of your day to be here with us today. Let's just jump right in. How did your Age-Friendly journey begin within the VA? 00:01:24:14 - 00:01:54:16 Kimberly Wozneak Well, thank you, Raahat, for having me join today's podcast. My Age-Friendly journey began in 2020. I was a Presidential Management Fellow with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and I joined the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) in January of 2020. My very first week with the office included a strategic planning meeting where we set up what we called the Geriatrics and Extended Care Transformation Plan. 00:01:54:18 - 00:02:25:04 Kimberly Wozneak This is a plan to improve how we provide care to older veterans, really looking at expanding our services so that we can honor veterans preferences to age in place in their homes and in their communities. And really, what we're talking about is what matters most to many older adults - staying independent. And so we saw this really fantastic synergy between our goals nationally and the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement. 00:02:25:06 - 00:02:38:08 Kimberly Wozneak So following that strategic planning meeting, I met with the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) and we set the aim for VA to become the largest integrated, Age-Friendly Health System in the US. 00:02:38:15 - 00:02:40:04 Raahat Ansari That is no small feat. 00:02:40:06 - 00:02:58:19 Kimberly Wozneak Yeah, I know, we've been doing this work now for over four and a half years, and the movement is so critical now for VA more than ever, because we have 9 million enrolled veterans that receive their health care through VA, and nearly half of those veterans are age 65 and older. 00:02:58:22 - 00:03:06:02 Raahat Ansari That is a huge number and such an opportunity. So that's amazing that you're trying to, you know, incorporate that population into your strategy. 00:03:06:09 - 00:03:27:20 Kimberly Wozneak Yeah. And you know, by 2035, veterans age 85 and older are expected to increase by 73%. Since 2020, we now have over 400 VA teams that have created a plan to implement the 4Ms. And they've earned recognition as an Age-Friendly Health Systems participant from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. 00:03:27:22 - 00:03:47:05 Raahat Ansari That is amazing progress in such a small amount of time, and I think that just is a huge testament to the work that is being done and to the drive that folks have when they're when they're being brought this opportunity. That's amazing. And one thing that I loved hearing you talk about was aging in place and aging at home 00:03:47:07 - 00:04:06:14 Raahat Ansari and how that up almost always is a huge part of what matters to each older adult. So I love that you're highlighting that and how that typically is something that older adults are hoping is a part of their goal and their plan, but also really important for us to ask that what matters questions so we can understand is this actually your goal as well? 00:04:06:14 - 00:04:20:20 Raahat Ansari And do you have additional things that you wanted to add to what matters most to you? Can you talk a little bit about what strategies, some of your top strategies that you implemented to see the success in spreading this to all of the VA sites in VA? 00:04:20:21 - 00:04:48:09 Kimberly Wozneak VA is really focused on the people side of change, where anyone can become an Age-Friendly champion. When we talk about Age-Friendly care, we are talking about the 4Ms that are driven by the what matters M's. And so the 4M's are what matters, medication, mentation and mobility. And so when we're joining or, you know, a national movement, an initiative or doing anything that feels new, it can be kind of overwhelming. 00:04:48:11 - 00:05:17:06 Kimberly Wozneak And so we encourage teams to start with small tests of change, particularly around about what matters M. And so if that just means asking one "what matters"? question to one veteran today, and that could be as simple as "what matters most to you?" And from there learning, scaling up and spreading so that we're incorporating these what matters questions into our daily practice to reach more and more veterans over time. 00:05:17:09 - 00:05:25:25 Kimberly Wozneak I think it's also really helped that we have very active and visible leaders in the movement, communicating at all levels. 00:05:25:28 - 00:05:39:08 Raahat Ansari That's so important. And one thing that we do hear from our participants quite regularly is it is so key and so impactful to have our leaders engaged in this work. So I love that you're highlighting that for our listeners. 00:05:39:10 - 00:06:01:15 Kimberly Wozneak Yeah. These messages about the importance of the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, helping us provide the soonest and best care possible to veterans have come from Dr. Elena Hall, our undersecretary for health, who gave opening remarks at our 2023 Age-Friendly summit, as well as a virtual event that we hosted over the summer that we call the state of Age-Friendly Health Systems in VA. 00:06:01:16 - 00:06:36:22 Kimberly Wozneak This is really a forum of celebration to celebrate our accomplishments over the last year. So having those messages come from leadership as well as folks who are champions themselves. We have an incredible coalition of champions, people who I can turn to at any time to join me on a national call to share their Age-Friendly story. And I mention those national calls because I think frequent communication about what the purpose of this movement is, how it aligns with our goals for VA is really important. 00:06:36:25 - 00:06:53:08 Kimberly Wozneak Over the last year, our team presented on over 50 national calls, conferences, presentations to over 9,500 attendees. So we are getting the message about Age-Friendly Health Systems out to anyone who will listen to us. 00:06:53:11 - 00:07:16:03 Raahat Ansari That is fantastic impact. And one thing that I really liked hearing was about the small test of change, and something that we also teach in our action communities - the seven month long Virtual Learning collaborative. That is one of the ways that most teams engage in this work of implementation. So this is one thing that we teach is you don't have to do and implement all 4M's tomorrow. 00:07:16:06 - 00:07:41:02 Raahat Ansari Start small, start doing one thing every day. Start doing consistently and you're driving that home by sharing. You know, you can ask one what matters question to one veteran one day, every day. And that will be get enough to get you started on your journey. So love, love hearing that. And the other thing that I wanted to just share was how impactful it is and how you mentioned there are so many champions. 00:07:41:04 - 00:08:04:03 Raahat Ansari Anybody can have a connection to this work, and I love that you have identified so many champions and so much support that you've got. So moving on. I know you talked a lot about the amazing spread that you've had, and what I want to take a moment to speak about is how you handled any resistance to this change as you implemented it and what you might suggest as ways to overcome those challenges. 00:08:04:06 - 00:08:32:13 Kimberly Wozneak Yeah, I sometimes hear a lack of time to just start something new and also competing priorities, right? Our clinicians are asked to do a lot. And so what we try to do is reinforce that the 4M's aren't adding work. They're actually streamlining and improving our processes and building on the fantastic evidence-based practices that we already have in place in VA. 00:08:32:14 - 00:09:16:03 Kimberly Wozneak Right. And we're not adding staff to teams. We're leveraging existing resources and there's no cost to participate in the movement, right? Recognition from the Institute for Health Care Improvement is free. So we should celebrate the great work that we're providing and doing in VA. I mentioned, you know, communicating often. So storytelling has been incredibly impactful for getting those maybe slightly resistant teams on board by hearing from someone else working in a similar care area about their journey and how Age-Friendly care and the 4M's have been valuable to veterans, their families, and caregivers. 00:09:16:06 - 00:09:37:16 Raahat Ansari That is really helpful and great points to share. And the one thing actually that really stuck with me was about how this all is free and want to highlight that and share that. Definitely, this is something that folks should be taking advantage of. And one thing hearing Dr. Terry Fullmer speak firsthand about this, that really stuck with me 00:09:37:16 - 00:09:57:12 Raahat Ansari as I as I share about this opportunity, she was laughing. When folks say that this is free? Because the Johnny A. Hartford Foundation is underwriting all of this. And so, you know, it does take the IHI and your team and the AHA team time and money and staff, time to have all this programing up and running. 00:09:57:14 - 00:10:15:05 Raahat Ansari And it is it is a very generous of the John A. Hartford Foundation to be providing us those funds to see this work forward. So that is money that we don't want to leave on the table, and we don't want any organizations to leave on the table, which is all the more reason to participate. And, you know, leverage that support that is being given. 00:10:15:08 - 00:10:23:05 Raahat Ansari So, moving on. Do you want to talk a little bit about how have you been able to maintain that level of engagement? 00:10:23:07 - 00:11:02:19 Kimberly Wozneak We also talk in VA about being on the journey to become a high reliability organization. And we know that high reliability organizations, HRO's, experience fewer events of harm despite operating in highly complex environments. And care for older adults is often complex. Something that I've learned from the Institute for Health Care Improvement and participating in past action communities with the �� Association is taking this all teach, all learn approach that is built on a just culture. And in a just culture 00:11:02:21 - 00:11:27:11 Kimberly Wozneak people are empowered to share safety stories so that we can learn from them. So the example that I want to give is actually from, you know, our VA action community, as we are now getting ready to launch our third national VAH friendly action communities. And we have those monthly webinars that take us into a deep dive where we learn about the 4M's followed by monthly coaching calls. 00:11:27:13 - 00:11:53:06 Kimberly Wozneak And these are a forum for teams to bring those safety stories, share them with other teams, share challenges, barriers, but also successes. And ask these questions freely because we all have the opportunity to learn from one another and continuously improve as we improve how we document 4M's care in the electronic health record, how we leverage data through national dashboards. 00:11:53:08 - 00:11:56:28 Kimberly Wozneak It's all for this continuous process improvement. 00:11:57:00 - 00:12:05:04 Raahat Ansari And that is so amazing to hear. I love how you're collecting all of that data and those stories. I wonder if you have a story that you'd like to share for our listeners today. 00:12:05:06 - 00:12:37:10 Kimberly Wozneak Well, I've heard this story from several teams now, but in particular our VA community living centers. These are our VA nursing homes, and we have great interprofessional teams in VA. And we found that the 4M's provide a really nice framework for those interprofessional team meetings and huddles, so that when we have different members of the team incorporating what matters questions as part of their practice, they can bring that information back to the team. 00:12:37:14 - 00:13:02:19 Kimberly Wozneak And we've actually learned that depending who ask the what matters question, the response from the veteran might be a little bit different depending on if it's the, social worker or their physical therapist who's asking. And so, a story I'll share from one team is that when they joined the movement, they realized that they thought they were doing a really good job asking what matters. 00:13:02:19 - 00:13:30:08 Kimberly Wozneak And what they found was that they were often documenting what they thought mattered to the veteran, and they saw this incredible shift, so that when they joined the movement, they actually started documenting what matters in as close to the veterans own words as possible. Bringing that information back to the team and having all team members contribute to the care plan to make it really focused and aligned with what matters to the veteran. 00:13:30:10 - 00:13:53:13 Raahat Ansari That is incredibly interesting to hear, and I have heard one other time that what matters question and that answer changes based on who is asking the question. That is an amazing tidbit to understand and learn about, is that it matters who asks the question and where it's coming from. And with that, we're just about to wrap up, so I'll just pause here and ask if you have any last thoughts that you want to share with our listeners today. 00:13:53:15 - 00:14:19:17 Kimberly Wozneak Really, anyone can be an Age-Friendly champion and do this incredible work in their hospital or health system. I highly encourage you to consider enrolling in a future action community. There is one coming up this spring with the Institute for Health Care Improvement. I love the structure that action communities provide and I love hearing from all the different hospitals and health systems that are doing this work. 00:14:19:19 - 00:14:29:02 Kimberly Wozneak The Institute for Health Care Improvement has now recognized more than 4,500 participants in the movement, which is really incredible. So get started on your journey today. 00:14:29:07 - 00:14:33:22 Raahat Ansari That's fantastic. Thank you so much for joining us today, Kim. It was a pleasure. 00:14:33:25 - 00:14:36:01 Kimberly Wozneak Thank you for having me. 00:14:36:03 - 00:14:44:13 Tom Haederle Thanks for listening to Advancing Health. Please subscribe and rate us five stars on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. </details></div> Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:03:00 -0600 Veteran Hiring Thanking America’s Veterans for Their Service to Our Country /news/perspective/2024-11-08-thanking-americas-veterans-their-service-our-country It was first celebrated in 1919 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. Armistice Day was recognized as a national holiday in 1938, and in 1954 the name was changed to what we know today: Veterans Day.The passing of years and name changes have never changed the fact that the brave and dedicated individuals who wear our nation’s military uniform have always committed to one cause above all others: to protect and defend with their lives, if necessary, the freedoms and people of the United States of America.For nearly 250 years, our courageous and selfless veterans have stood up for the nation’s defense, protecting their countrymen and America’s founding ideals at great personal cost. They have left their loved ones behind, many have served in war zones for months or years and — tragically — many have suffered serious injuries and lasting wounds, both physical and mental.We owe a great debt to all who have served and who are serving today.&nbsp;Bravery in the face of danger often comes with physical and mental health challenges. Ensuring that veterans receive the health care they need is a vital part of honoring their service. This includes access to mental health services, rehabilitation and support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries. You can learn more about the care needs of veterans and their families in today’s <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-11-08-military-informed-care-what-it-means-veterans-and-their-families" title="Advancing Health Podcast" target="_blank">Advancing Health podcast</a>.America’s hospitals and health systems have long supported our troops and our veterans by providing these services and so many others.&nbsp;The AHA believes a strong partnership between hospitals and health systems and the Department of Veterans Affairs is essential to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the health care they need and deserve. And we continue to work with the VA to ensure veterans have access to the care they need, when they need it.For example, we have made it a priority to spread the word among hospitals and health systems of available VA resources, especially in the area of mental health, such as free online training to help community health care providers counsel veterans at risk for suicide about secure storage of firearms and other lethal means, which can help save lives.&nbsp;And we continue to share insights and ideas with our federal colleagues about <a href="https://skillbridge.osd.mil/program-overview.htm" target="_blank">potential solutions</a> to challenges common to all care providers, including workforce shortages and retention.Veterans also are a great fit for the health care field, and many hospitals and health systems go to special lengths to hire veterans, putting their skills and mission-driven leadership qualities into the service of healing. In addition, AHA urges potential health care employers to capitalize on the unique strengths of veterans, as outlined in our <a href="/workforce-strategies/recruitment-an-opportunity-to-hire-veterans" target="_blank" title="/workforce-strategies/recruitment-an-opportunity-to-hire-veterans">Workforce Strategies Guide</a>, which includes a chapter specifically focused on hiring and supporting veterans.Country always has and always will come first for the fewer than 10% of Americans who can claim the title “veteran.” This special group of our fellow citizens has served and sacrificed in ways that most of us are never asked to, and we can all&nbsp;offer thanks and gratitude to the sentinels who have stood watch to keep our nation safe and continue to protect us each and every day.Legendary American Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said, “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”From all of us here at the AHA, thank you to every veteran who has defended our country … and our freedom.&nbsp; Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:28:24 -0600 Veteran Hiring A Salute to Those Who Have Kept America Safe /news/perspective/2023-11-10-salute-those-who-have-kept-america-safe Elmer Davis — journalist, author and director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II — once said, “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” The bravery and dedication to protecting our nation of the individuals who wear the military uniform of the United States of America has never been a question. For nearly 250 years, our courageous and selfless veterans have stood up for the nation’s defense, protecting their countrymen and America’s founding ideals at great personal cost. They have left their loved ones behind, many have served in war zones for months or years and — tragically — many have suffered serious injuries and lasting wounds, both physical and mental. In this tense time with conflict around the globe, we appreciate anew the resilience, readiness and willingness to stand firm of America’s armed forces. We owe a great debt to all who have served and who are serving today. That debt has been recognized from the start. The Revolutionary War saw the first pensions granted to some veterans, and the first federal hospital dedicated to the care of disabled and elderly soldiers was established in 1811. Likewise, America’s hospitals and health systems have long supported our troops and our veterans. The AHA believes a strong partnership between hospitals and health systems and the Department of Veterans Affairs is essential to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the health care they need and deserve. And we continue to work with the VA to ensure veterans have access to the care they need, when they need it. For example, we have made it a priority to spread the word among hospitals and health systems of available VA resources, especially in the area of mental health, such as free online training to help community health care providers counsel veterans at risk for suicide about secure storage of firearms and other lethal means, which can help save lives. And we continue to share insights and ideas with our federal colleagues about potential solutions to challenges common to all care providers, including workforce shortages and retention. In addition, veterans are a great fit for the health care field, and many hospitals and health systems go to special lengths to hire veterans, putting their skills and mission-driven leadership qualities into the service of healing. For example, Arizona-based HonorHealth and Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic are among the increasing number of care providers that have adopted the <a href="https://skillbridge.osd.mil/" target="_blank">Department of Defense’s Skillbridge Program</a>&nbsp;to offer service members valuable civilian work experience and the opportunity gain employment skills, knowledge and abilities that open doors to job opportunities in the civilian sector. In addition, AHA is urging potential health care employers to capitalize on the unique strengths of veterans. This week we released updates to our Workforce Strategies Guide, which includes a <a href="/workforce-strategies/recruitment-an-opportunity-to-hire-veterans" target="_blank">new chapter</a>&nbsp;specifically focused on hiring and supporting veterans. Music also is a meaningful way to express AHA’s commitment to honoring and supporting our military members, veterans and their families. One again, we have partnered with Musicians on Call to give AHA member hospitals early access to a <a href="https://connect.musiciansoncall.org/programs/ahaveterans23" target="_blank">virtual concert honoring veterans</a>. The concert features well-known artists, and hospitals can share it with the veterans who work at their organizations. Fewer than 10% of Americans can claim the title “veteran.” But that special group of our fellow citizens has served and sacrificed in ways that most of us are never asked to, and we can all offer thanks and gratitude to the sentinels who have stood watch to keep our nation safe and continue to protect us each and every day. From all of us here at the AHA, thank you to every veteran who has defended our country … and our freedom. Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:33:05 -0600 Veteran Hiring Recruitment: An Opportunity to Hire Veterans | Strengthening the Health Care Workforce /workforce-strategies/recruitment-an-opportunity-to-hire-veterans <h1>Recruitment: An Opportunity to Hire Veterans</h1> Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:51:55 -0500 Veteran Hiring Giving Thanks Today and Always for America’s Veterans /news/perspective/2022-11-11-giving-thanks-today-and-always-americas-veterans The news is filled daily with accounts of conflict around the globe … notably Russia’s war against Ukraine, but other potential clashes bubble near the surface, such as military action by China against Taiwan, or a North Korean missile aimed at Japan. We cannot know for sure what this unsettled era will bring. But we do know that we are blessed with the strongest, bravest and best-trained guardians a nation can have: the individuals who wear the military uniform of the United States of America. For nearly 250 years, our courageous, brave and selfless veterans have stood up for the nation’s defense, protecting their countrymen and America’s founding ideals at great personal cost. They have left their loved ones behind, many have served in war zones for months or years and — tragically — many have suffered serious injuries and lasting wounds, both physical and mental. Our veterans are those who answered the call in President Kennedy’s inaugural address to “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty." We owe a great debt to all who have served. America’s hospitals and health systems have long supported our troops and our veterans. The AHA believes a strong partnership between hospitals and health systems and the Department of Veterans Affairs is essential to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the health care they need and deserve. And we continue to work with the VA to ensure veterans have access to the care they need, when they need it. In addition, many hospitals and health systems go to special lengths to hire veterans, putting their skills and hard-earned leadership qualities into the service of healing. For example, Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles brought in its first full-time military veteran recruiter, Stephen Bettini, who is a veteran himself. He helps veterans and their spouses navigate life after the military and establish careers in the health system. "They have a great set of skills we want to tap, and they are focused on mission. That's who we need here," Bettini says. On the other side of the country, Main Line Health in Pennsylvania makes a point of sharing the stories and inspiration from the veterans it employs, highlighting the qualities of trust, integrity, respect and collaboration they bring to the organization. The AHA also is committed to honoring and supporting our military members, veterans and their families. This year we have partnered with Musicians on Call to give AHA member hospitals early access to a virtual <a href="/news/headline/2022-11-04-aha-musicians-call-bring-healing-power-music-va-patients" target="_blank">concert honoring veterans</a>. The concert features well-known artists, and hospitals can share it with the veterans who work at their organizations. In addition, every year we <a href="http://www.aha.org/press-releases/2022-04-26-aha-honors-two-federal-health-care-leaders" target="_blank">recognize outstanding health care executives</a> in the federal health care system&nbsp;and we have developed <a href="/2017-12-11-hospital-careers-opportunity-hire-veterans" target="_blank">resources</a> to help hospitals <a href="/system/files/media/file/2019/04/opportunity-to-hire-veterans-toolkit.pdf" target="_blank">hire returning veterans</a>, who — no surprise — are some of the hardest working and most dedicated employees out there. Not every organization may be able to offer a deserving veteran a job. But every one of us can offer thanks and gratitude to those sentinels who have stood watch to keep our nation safe and continue to protect us each and every day. From all of us here at the AHA, thank you to every veteran who has defended our country … and our freedom. Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:47:29 -0600 Veteran Hiring Chair File: Thanking our Veterans who make our Freedom Possible /news/chairpersons-file/2020-11-10-chair-file-thanking-our-veterans-who-make-our-freedom-possible Last week, we Americans exercised our hallowed right to vote in record numbers. We did so at a time of unusual stress, facing steep challenges and deep divisions within our country. Yet once more, we honored our democratic system and our heritage by using the ballot to speak our minds. As a democracy, we debate, argue, and challenge each other’s beliefs, as well as our government’s actions and policies. Oftentimes, we take such freedom for granted. But we shouldn’t. World history is filled with examples of tyrants and repressive governments who stifled or punished freedom of thought and expression. It’s true that freedom isn’t free. And it’s our brave, patriotic veterans who risk everything in defense of our ideals, traditions and freedoms.&nbsp;&nbsp; On Wednesday, please take a moment to reflect upon the allegiance, dedication and devotion of every person who has put on the uniform in defense of our country and our freedom. Our 17 million veterans have made great sacrifices on our behalf. Separated from their loved ones, many have served in war zones for months or years and — tragically — returned with their lives permanently altered by serious injuries and lasting wounds, both physical and mental. And I hope every hospital and health system in America can find time this Veteran’s Day to honor and celebrate the veterans on their teams. Through the AHA Federal Health Systems Executive Leaders Roundtable, we are strongly committed to partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Department of Defense; and the Indian Health Service to provide care to veterans in their communities and honoring their service to our country. We have advocated for legislation to improve the care our veterans receive, including 2018’s bipartisan <a href="https://missionact.va.gov/">VA MISSION Act</a>. And we have developed and <a href="/2017-12-11-hospital-careers-opportunity-hire-veterans)">shared resources</a> to help hospitals and health systems hire <a href="/system/files/media/file/2019/04/opportunity-to-hire-veterans-toolkit.pdf">returning veterans</a>, who are often some of the hardest working and most dedicated employees out there. Growing up the daughter of a career military officer in the United States Army, I was raised on the value of service to others. My father, Vern Estes, survived the Battle of the Bulge in 1945 before serving in Korea and then Vietnam. He then spent the rest of his career in service to others as a psychologist. But his story is not unique; it's one you hear time and again. Because our veterans never put away their fierce love of our country and the ideals it represents — of giving yourself over for a greater cause that you believe in. It’s an ideal they valiantly represent and that we see so clearly in those who are with us on this health care mission. Tue, 10 Nov 2020 08:04:45 -0600 Veteran Hiring VA Secretary Nominee Withdraws /news/headline/2018-04-26-va-secretary-nominee-withdraws Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, M.D., today announced he has withdrawn his nomination as Secretary of Veterans Affairs amid allegations of improper conduct. "While I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me by giving me this opportunity, I am regretfully withdrawing my nomination to be Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs," Jackson said in a statement, noting that the allegations against him are “completely false and fabricated.” Jackson currently serves as the president’s physician and has served as a White House physician for the past three administrations. Robert Wilkie, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, continues to serve as acting VA secretary. Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:25:34 -0500 Veteran Hiring President to Nominate White House Physician as VA Secretary /news/headline/2018-03-29-president-nominate-white-house-physician-va-secretary President Trump yesterday announced his intention to nominate Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, M.D., as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The president named Robert Wilkie, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, as acting VA secretary in the interim, thanking David Shulkin, M.D., for his service as secretary. Jackson <a href="http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=953">currently serves</a> as the president’s physician and has served as a White House physician for the past three administrations. Shulkin was confirmed as VA secretary last February and previously served as VA under secretary for health. Thu, 29 Mar 2018 14:37:19 -0500 Veteran Hiring Statement on Nomination of Dr. David Shulkin /press-releases/2017-01-12-statement-nomination-dr-david-shulkin <div class="outlineContent clearfix">Rick Pollack President and CEO �� AssociationWe strongly support the nomination of Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). His leadership and success in his current position as Under Secretary of Health at the VA will well serve the veterans of our nation as he leads the VA’s critical work to ensure our veterans receive the high-quality care they deserve.Dr. Shulkin’s diverse health care background includes service as a physician, chief medical officer and a hospital and health system leader at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Health in New Jersey. In addition, his deep knowledge and experience in running complex organizations with a focus on health care outcomes, quality and value will help strengthen the VA. His clinical experience as an internist is invaluable as the VA continues its commitment to care for veterans in their time of need.Dr. Shulkin is passionate about patient safety and quality, and his current leadership at the VA has shown his passion for serving our nation’s veterans and ensuring that they also receive the right care at the right time. We applaud his nomination and know he will strengthen the care provided to our nation’s veterans who have sacrificed for our country and deserve the highest quality care.<h2>About the AHA</h2>The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at <a href="/">www.aha.org</a>.</div> Thu, 12 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0600 Veteran Hiring �� Association honors two federal health care leaders /press-releases/2016-07-27-american-hospital-association-honors-two-federal-health-care-leaders-2015 <div class="outlineContent clearfix">The �� Association (AHA) presented two federal hospital leaders with awards recognizing their outstanding service to the health care field. These awards recognize uniformed and non-uniformed federal health care leaders who have distinguished themselves through singularly significant or innovative achievements and leadership that have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health system. The presentation took place at the recent AHA/Health Forum Leadership Summit in San Diego.“We are pleased to honor Rear Admiral Terry J. Moulton and Major Rett J. Reber. They both serve as great teachers, leading by example and sharing what they’ve learned to help improve patient care wherever it is delivered,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “Our federal hospitals are an amazing national resource, as are the people they care for. The exceptional women and men staffing these facilities exemplify dedication to patient care and service to our country.”2015 Award for Excellence – Rear Admiral (RADM) Terry J. Moulton, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, Va.RADM Moulton developed a Regional Key Performance Metrics Dashboard that identified facilities for priority performance measures facilitating the sharing of best practices to drive improvements across Navy Medicine East. He also led the Military Health System by fielding mobile applications that significantly improved the patient experience at 17 military treatment facilities more than two years ahead of the Defense Health Agency's timeline, resulting in a 44 percent increase in utilization of secure messaging and reducing private sector emergency department visits by 66 percent. These efforts saved taxpayers more than $15.8 million while enhancing patient satisfaction.2015 Special Achievement Award – Major Rett J. Reber, United States Air Force 15 Medical Group, Physical Therapy (PT) Element Chief, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HawaiiSince arriving in Oahu in July 2014, Maj. Reber has transformed the Hickam PT clinics and contributed to military PT services island-wide. He led a facility remodel with a patient safety focus that contributed to the clinic winning the 2014 Best Clinic Patient Safety Program award. In addition, he increased productivity 84 percent in FY 2015 resulting in a No. 1 rating of 66 Air Force PT Clinics; collaborated on central PT referral process improvements to streamline referrals from 5 clinics; and improved access to care by instituting innovative algorithms for patients with acute low back pain to be seen expediently. These efforts resulted in exceeding the 90th percentile in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) scores. HEDIS is a tool used by health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service.<h2>About the AHA</h2>The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at <a href="/">www.aha.org</a>.</div> Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0500 Veteran Hiring