Friday, March 13, 2015

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:  716 720-4000 
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile
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Thursday, February 05, 2015

House to Examine Wasteful VA Land Use

HVAC To Examine Wasteful VA Land-Use Agreements

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. in room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations will hold an oversight hearing examining waste and abuse associated with VA's management of land-use agreements.

 

According to the Government Accountability Office, "VA manages one of the nation's largest federal property portfolios. To manage these properties, VA uses land-use authorities that allow VA to enter into various types of agreements for the use of its property in exchange for revenues or in-kind considerations."

 

This hearing will look at problems with VA's billing and collecting practices for land-use agreements at various VA Medical Centers. A 2014 Government Accountability Office report requested by O&I Chairman Rep. Mike Coffman found these deficiencies have resulted inhundreds of thousands in lost revenue. The report also noted that VA incorrectly billed its sharing partners 40 percent of the time at surveyed medical centers and raised questions about the reliability and accuracy of VA's land-use data.

 

The primary focus of the hearing will be issues at the West Los Angeles VA Medical center, including land-use agreements, problems faced by area homeless veterans and other concerns affecting quality of care.

 

The following event is open to the press.

 

WHO:       Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

WHAT:    "An Examination of Waste and Abuse Associated with VA's Management of Land-Use Agreements"

WHEN:    4:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015

WHERE:  334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming at veterans.house.gov

 

The witness list will be released at a later date



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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:  716 720-4000 
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile
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Saturday, December 13, 2014

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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

DOD Press Release : One Airdrop to Kurds Fighting in Kobani Intercepted

One Airdrop to Kurds Fighting in Kobani Intercepted

By Nick Simeone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2014 - One bundle of weapons and medical supplies airdropped by U.S. forces to Kurdish fighters in Syria most likely fell into enemy hands, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

The pallet was among 28 that were dropped by U.S. forces Oct. 19 to resupply Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in the border town of Kobani.

"One bundle worth of equipment is not enough equipment to give the enemy any type of advantage at all," Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Steve Warren told reporters. "It's a relatively small amount of supplies. This is stuff ISIL already has."

A second airdropped bundle with similar contents also went astray, Warren said, but it was destroyed by fighter aircraft soon after it hit the ground. It's possible that wind could have driven the packages off course, he acknowledged.

The weapons, ammunition and medical supplies being dropped to besieged Kurdish forces defending Kobani are being supplied by Kurds in neighboring Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve aimed at eliminating ISIL terrorists who hold significant portions of Northern Iraq and Syria.

(Follow Nick Simeone on Twitter: @SimeoneDoDNews)

 



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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:  716 720-4000 
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile
LinkedIn








Monday, September 29, 2014

VA to Settle with Phoenix Whistleblowers

September 29, 2014                               

VA To Make Phoenix Whistleblowers Whole

 WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), working closely with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), has successfully resolved whistleblower retaliation complaints filed by three individuals from Phoenix. 

"At VA, we take whistleblower complaints seriously and will not tolerate retaliation against those who raise issues which may enable VA to better serve Veterans," said McDonald. "We depend on VA employees and leaders to put the needs of Veterans first and honor VA's core values of 'Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.'"

Based on the validity of their claims of retaliation, each whistleblower has settled their complaint with VA and two have accepted new positions within the Department.

Working with OSC, VA has taken several steps to strengthen whistleblower protection and enhance accountability within the organization. VA leadership has sent a message to all VA employees regarding the importance of whistleblower protection, has emphasized that managers and supervisors bear a special responsibility for enforcing whistleblower protection laws and has met with employees at VA Medical Centers across the country to reemphasize that message. 

Additionally, VA is committed to achieving compliance with the OSC 2302 (c) Certification program, and has established the Office of Accountability Review with a direct reporting line to the Secretary.  Its charter is to ensure leadership accountability for improprieties related to patient scheduling and access to care, whistleblower retaliation and related matters that impact public trust in VA.

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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:  716 720-4000 
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile
LinkedIn








Monday, August 11, 2014

Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Passing of Robin Williams


Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Passing of Robin Williams

The entire of Department of Defense community mourns the loss of Robin Williams. Robin was a gifted actor and comedian, but he was also a true friend and supporter of our troops. From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that helped veterans struggling with hidden wounds of war, he was a loyal and compassionate advocate for all who serve this nation in uniform. He will be dearly missed by the men and women of DoD - so many of whom were personally touched by his humor and generosity.




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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:  716 720-4000 
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile
LinkedIn