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Sean Eagan
Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
| Web: | http://americancoldwarvets.org/ |
| Blog: | Cold War Veterans Blog |
| Email: | Sean.Eagan@gmail.com |
| Phone: | |
| Network: | My Fast Pitch! Profile |
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Dan Caldwell Fixing VHA
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Sean Eagan
Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
The VA and its latest emailer but will this changes be for the good or just further slow a bogged down system ?
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Sean Eagan
Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
| Web: | http://americancoldwarvets.org/ |
| Blog: | Cold War Veterans Blog |
| Email: | Sean.Eagan@gmail.com |
| Phone: | |
| Network: | My Fast Pitch! Profile |
Friday, March 13, 2015
VFW Action Corp Weekly March 13
March 13, 2015
In This Issue:
1. VFW to Meet with President in Phoenix
2. Choice Card Survey
3. VFW meets with VA Research and Development Leadership
4. DoD Authorizes GWOT-EM for Freedom's Sentinel
5. Seven Korean War Soldiers Identified
1. VFW to Meet with President in Phoenix: President Obama is visiting the Phoenix VA Medical Center today and VFW National Inspector General Ray Thomas is expected to join him in a roundtable discussion on veterans' health care issues. In a newspaper interview, Thomas said most of the veterans he's talked with seem pleased that patient wait times have improved substantially, but that there is still an issue with specialists, especially cancer specialists. Last year, the VFW championed the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to help counter the nationwide crisis in care and confidence that Phoenix ignited—but now in hindsight could have been started at a different facility anywhere. The VA still has an uphill climb to fix what's broken, to hold employees accountable, and to restore the faith of veterans in their VA.
2. Choice Card Survey: The VFW has commissioned a second survey to poll members on their experiences accessing the Veterans Choice Program. Thank you to those who have taken the second survey. Your participation has allowed the VFW to continue to keep its finger on the pulse of this important program and evaluate progress as the Veterans Choice Program enters its fifth month. If you took our first survey, but have not taken the second survey, which went live on February 6, 2015, please help us track any changes in your experiences. If you are taking this survey for the first time, your input is critical to holding VA accountable for delivering timely non-VA care options to veterans.
Take the survey here: https://www.research.net/s/VFWChoiceSurvey2. To learn more about the Veterans Choice Program or to share your stories with us, please visit: http://www.vfw.org/VAWatch/.
3. VFW meets with VA Research and Development Leadership: On Wednesday, the VFW hosted the VA's Research and Development team for a discussion on the status of their research programs. VA has many promising research projects, including: women's health, which will increase VA's knowledge on best ways to deliver care for women; health disparities and access needs in minority populations; and the on-going Million Veteran Program (MVP), a genetic data collection and research program that lead to a better understanding of the relationship between genetics and diseases and military-related illnesses. To learn more about VA Research and Development or how to participate in the MVP program click here: http://www.research.va.gov/.
4. DoD Authorizes GWOT-EM for Freedom's Sentinel: Operation Freedom's Sentinel is now a qualifying operation for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The Defense Department said the award is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015. Service members deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom's Sentinel continue to be awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Troops deployed abroad in support of Freedom's Sentinel, but stationed outside of the campaign medal's area of eligibility, are now eligible for award of the GWOT Expeditionary Medal. Also now authorized are service stars on medals or ribbons to reflect multiple deployments. The GWOT-EM, as well as the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, are VFW membership qualifiers. Read more about the Pentagon's policy change at: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128351&source=GovDelivery.
5. Seven Korean War Soldiers Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains belonging to seven Army soldiers who had been lost and unaccounted-for since the Korean War. Returned home for burial with full military honors are:
- Sgt. 1st Class Donald R. Strum, Company C, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, who was lost in North Korea on Nov. 4, 1950.
- Cpl. Robert Higgins, 21, of Bucks County, Penn. He was assigned to Battery C, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when lost in battle in South Korea on Feb. 13, 1951.
- Sgt. Floyd J.R. Jackson, 20, of Warrensburg, Mo., died while a POW in North Korea on Feb. 13, 1951. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which made up part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team.
- Pfc. John R. Bowers, of Greenville, S.C. He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when lost in South Korea on Feb. 14, 1951.
- Sgt. Arnold V. Andring, 25, of Gary, Minn., died while a POW in North Korea after being captured on Feb 14, 1951. He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 8th Army.
- Pfc. Lotchie J.R. Jones, 18, of Jasper, Tenn., died while a POW in North Korea on Feb. 28, 1951. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
- Cpl. Lindsey C. Lockett, 25, of Henrico, Va., died while a POW in North Korea on May 31, 1951. He was assigned to Medical Detachment, Headquarters Battery, 503rd Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division.
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories, either fill out our online form by clicking here: http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
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Sean Eagan
Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
| Web: | http://americancoldwarvets.org/ |
| Blog: | Cold War Veterans Blog |
| Email: | Sean.Eagan@gmail.com |
| Phone: | |
| Network: | My Fast Pitch! Profile |
MyVA Advisory Committee Formed
VA Establishes MyVA Advisory Committee Highly Respected Group of Outside Leaders to Advise VA Secretary The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the establishment of the MyVA Advisory Committee (MVAC). The Committee brings together skilled experts from the private, non-profit and government sectors to assist in reorienting the Department to better meet the needs of Veterans. This Committee is charged with advising the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with a focus on improving customer service, Veteran outcomes and setting the course for long-term reform and excellence. The Advisory Committee will meet multiple times per year and will engage in periodic reviews to ensure the Department achieves the goals of MyVA. The Committee will provide advice on competing short-term and long-range plans, priorities and strategies to improve the operational functions, services, processes and outputs of the Department, and will also advise on appropriate levels of support and funding necessary to achieve objectives. Further, the Committee will review implementation of recommended improvements and suggest any necessary course corrections. Members of the Committee have extensive experience in customer service, large- scale organizational change and advocacy for Veterans. "The success of MyVA will be Veterans who are better served by VA, so the work of this committee is incredibly important," said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. "The collective wisdom of our committee members is invaluable and each of them understands that VA must improve customer service and focus the Department on the needs of our Veterans. They are dedicated to that mission and I am grateful for their principled service to our Veterans." The biographies of Committee members are below. The group will hold their first meeting in April. MG Josue "Joe" Robles Jr., US Army (Ret.) Mr. Robles retired from the U.S. Army as a Major General after 28 years in service and joined the United States Automobile Association (USAA), where he assumed the position of President and CEO in December 2007. In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor named Mr. Robles the "No. 1 Veteran in Business," and American Banker named him "Innovator of the Year." Mr. Robles retired from USAA in February 2015. He will serve as Chairman of the MyVA Advisory Committee. Michael Haynie, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Syracuse University Dr. Haynie provides strategic leadership within the University's campus-wide portfolio of Veteran and military-connected programs, partnerships and research – and works to develop new initiatives across the institution. He is an Air Force Veteran and serves as the Chairman of the Secretary of Labor's Advisory Committee on Veteran Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach. Dr. Haynie serves as Executive Director of the University's Institute for Veterans & Military Families, and he is the founder of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program. He will service as Vice Chairman of the MyVA Advisory Committee Herman Bulls, International Director, and Chairman Public Institutions, Jones Lang LaSalle Bulls has vast experience in executive oversight of teams in real estate development, investment management, asset management, facilities operations and business development/retention. He serves on corporate boards including USAA, Tyco International, Comfort Systems and Exelis. Additionally he serves as a director of the West Point Association of Graduates and the Military Bowl, an NCAA sanctioned post season football game. An Army Veteran, Bulls is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Business School. Teresa Carlson, Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector Amazon Web Services Ms. Carlson brings more than 20 years of experience as a business executive driving innovation and change, and producing successful business results. She is a leader in the information technology field. Prior to joining Amazon, Ms. Carlson served as Vice President of federal government business at Microsoft. She has 15 years of experience in the health care field and was recently named to Washingtonian Magazine's "100 Most Powerful Women," among other awards. Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Carmona is a combat decorated and disabled U.S. Army Special Forces Vietnam Veteran. He is currently a Distinguished Professor at the University of Arizona, holds numerous public and private leadership positions and has extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences, health care management, national preparedness and a commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health and reduce health care costs while improving the quality and quantity of life. Delos "Toby" M. Cosgrove, M.D., CEO and President, Cleveland Clinic Dr. Cosgrove has emphasized patient care and patient experience in his leadership of the Cleveland Clinic, including the reorganization of clinical services. Dr. Cosgrove has launched major wellness initiatives for patients, employees and communities. He was ranked in Modern Healthcare's "100 most powerful people in healthcare" and "most powerful physician executives." He is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Laura Herrera, MD, Deputy Secretary for Public Health, Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Dr, Herrera has served as Chief Medical Officer for Maryland and assisted the Secretary of Health on implementation of innovative health delivery reform structures in the state system. She served as a Medical Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, National Director of Women's Health and the Acting Deputy Chief Officer of Patient Care Services in the VA's Veterans Health Administration. Chris Howard, DPhil, President, Hampden-Sydney College Mr. Howard currently serves as president of Hampden-Sydney College. In addition, he was nominated and confirmed as a member of the National Security Education Program Board. Mr. Howard is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education and has served as Vice President for Leadership & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Oklahoma. He is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Nancy Killefer Ms. Killefer served as a Senior Director in the DC office of McKinsey & Company. During her career, Ms. Killefer has focused on strategy, marketing and organizational effectiveness and efficiency issues with an emphasis on consumer-based and retail industries. Ms. Killefer also founded and led McKinsey's global public sector practice. She is a former Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Secretary for Management at the United States Department of the Treasury, and has previously chaired the IRS Oversight Board. Ms. Killefer now serves on a number of corporate Boards and is the Vice Chair of the Defense Business Board. Fred Lee Mr. Lee is a nationally recognized expert and consultant in the patient and family experience. He is the author of the best-selling health care leadership book, "If Disney Ran Your Hospital, 9 ½ Things You Would Do Differently." His career in hospital management and expertise in quality improvement has changed the language of patient satisfaction in hospitals, and introduced experience based improvement to change management and staff engagement. Eleanor "Connie" Mariano, M.D., Founder, Center for Executive Medicine Dr. Mariano was the first female director of the White House Medical Unit and the first military woman to become a White House Physician to the President. Dr. Mariano joined Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program upon departure from the White House, and has since founded the Center for Executive Medicine. Dr. Mariano is a retired Navy Rear Admiral. Jean Reaves Ms. Reaves is a Vietnam Era Veteran who has been a Veteran Advocate for the last 20 years. She is a member of AMVETS and several other Veteran Service Organizations. She is currently President of North Carolina AMVETS Service Foundation. Ms. Reaves also served as Veteran Liaison for United States Senator Kay Hagan. She also is the wife and mother of Veterans. Maria "Lourdes" Tiglao, Director of Outreach and Resource Development, The District Communications Group Ms. Tigalo is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a co-founder of the first USAF Critical Care Medical Attendant Team in the Pacific. Ms. Tigalo currently serves as Regional Communications Manager for Team Rubicon, a Veteran disaster response service organization. Robert E. Wallace, Assistant Adjutant General and Executive Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars Mr. Wallace is a Vietnam Veteran and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of VFW activities in Washington, DC. Mr. Wallace's VFW service follows a successful career in banking, and positions in New Jersey state government in Veterans Affairs and Employment and Training commission. More information about the MyVA Advisory Committee may be found at: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/17837/presidential-visit-highlights-vas-progress-in-phoenix
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Keep updated & let us know how we're doing. |
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Sean Eagan
Life Member VFW NY Post 53
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
| Web: | http://americancoldwarvets.org/ |
| Blog: | Cold War Veterans Blog |
| Email: | Sean.Eagan@gmail.com |
| Phone: | |
| Network: | My Fast Pitch! Profile |
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