Battle Creek VA Honors 2023 Women of the Year
Battle Creek VA Medical Center has awarded the 2023 Women of the Year to three recipients in recognition for their dedication and efforts in support of the Veterans they serve, during a presentation on May 28th, 2024.
The women received their awards from Michelle Martin, Battle Creek VA Medical Center Director, represent diversity within Veteran healthcare service beyond the clinical scope.
“These awards are not specifically for staff in direct-patient care roles,” said Dr. Mary Beckman, Battle Creek VA Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner - Women’s Health, and Federal Women’s Special Emphasis Program Manager. “These awards celebrate women who outstandingly carry out the VA’s ‘I CARE’ core values and characteristics throughout the entire medical center and our clinics.”
The awardees, without particular order, are as follow:
Cindy Martin was selected as 2023 Woman of the Year for ‘Leadership’. She received six nominations in this category. Ms. Martin has worked at the medical center for 35 years and is currently the Chief of Quality Resource Service. Her nominations highlighted her strong leadership.
“Care and improving care of Veterans has been the focus of my entire VA career in a variety of settings within the Medical Center, and this recognition reinforces to me that I have (and continue) to accomplish what I had set out to do many years ago,” said Martin. “Early in my career I was fortunate to be surrounded by leaders who gave me guidance, provided me a wealth of opportunities and were my mentors for many years. I knew that I had to pay that forward and wanted to provide the same types of support and resources for others.”
Statement from one of her nominations: “She leads by example and makes her employees feel like they are important. She inspires and motivates her staff daily and finds ways to help staff ‘have a voice’.”
Maria Vazquez was selected as 2023 Woman of the Year for ‘Customer Service’. Ms. Vazquez is an LPN and has worked at the Muskegon Clinic since December 2016. Her nomination highlighted her willingness to always volunteer/assist where needed in the clinic, both with staff and patients.
“I always try to put my biggest effort to make sure the patients and their family get the best treatment. I try to be mindful of who needs help when and am always willing to help my coworkers,” said Vazquez.
Additionally, Vazquez was surprised by the nomination and award.
“I couldn’t believe it and felt so excited that I wanted to share my emotions with my family and especially my mom,” said Vazquez. “I know she’s sharing my joy with me from heaven, because as a midwife who also loved helping people, she would have been very proud.”
Statement from her nomination: “When it comes to the VA's ‘I CARE’ values, there should be a picture of Maria Vazquez next to this statement as she exemplifies all facets of that statement. Maria Cares about the Veterans, she Cares about her fellow employees, she Cares about choosing "the harder right instead of choosing the easier wrong, and she Cares about performing her duties to the very best of her abilities.”
Heather Morgan was selected as 2023 Woman of the Year for ‘Veteran Advocacy’. Ms. Morgan is a family nurse practitioner who has worked at the medical center for over 17 years. She has been in the role of the Women Veterans Program Manager since 2019. Her nominations highlighted her commitment to always putting Veteran care first.
“I love my job I love being about to advocate for our vets and assure they are getting the best care anywhere,” said Morgan. “I have prided our program with doing everything we can for our vets and give support whenever and wherever we can. We do our best to assure we have care coordination in women’s health as well as infertility care and connect our vets with any and all services we can for the best outcomes.”
Statement from one of her nominations: “Ms. Heather Morgan is a true champion for our Women Veterans, and their families, and her selfless contributions have made lasting impacts on the well-being of our Women Veteran Community.”
The Battle Creek VA Medical Center ‘Women of the Year’ has been an annual recognition of exemplary service since 2019. The selection board received a total of 21 nominations for the calendar year 2023.