Bay Pines VA Employees Improve Veteran Support Through New Campaign
Employees across Bay Pines VA Healthcare System are embracing a new approach toward patient care, and Veterans are taking notice.
During the summer, the organization launched an internal campaign called We’re in this Together, to address stagnant scores from the Veterans Signals VHA Outpatient Survey.
Last week, Bay Pines VA’s Veteran Experience Officer Amy Whitaker announced the organization had earned a 91.5 percent rating, for patient trust, which surpassed the national average.
“I’m immensely proud of the work everyone has done toward this initiative because it took all of us to exceed that standard,” said Whitaker. “The goal of We’re in this Together is to remind all of us, no matter our specific jobs, that we have a responsibility to work together to provide the best experience for those we serve.”
Nearly 110,000 Veterans entrust their health care to Bay Pines VA each year, and the organization, currently commemorating 90 years of service in southwest Florida, has facilities across ten counties.
“We are consistently exploring ways that we can work collectively to make this organization better,” added Bay Pines Deputy Director Kristine Brown. “When we commit to one another, everyone wins, and knowing this is vital because Veterans deserve to get our very best, every time.”
Although the campaign’s primary purpose remains Veteran focused, leadership admits that the infusion of We’re in this Together has sparked a renewed passion and appreciation among employees as well.
“Our director always says, ‘None of us is as good as all of us,” said Whitaker. “What’s happened over the past several months epitomizes that message.”