Columbia VA Health Care System Earns Top VISN Honors for Systems Redesign Excellence
By Wyatt Anthony, Public Affairs Specialist
The Columbia VA Health Care System earned three major recognitions from its Veterans Integrated Service Network for Fiscal Year 2025, highlighting its commitment to continuous improvement, staff engagement and enhanced Veteran care through Lean principles.
The awards recognize excellence in project execution, workforce development and certification achievement, underscoring the impact of Systems Redesign efforts across the facility.
Best Yellow Belt Project: H. Pylori Treatment Process Improvement
Columbia VA received the Best Yellow Belt Project award for its work improving the H. Pylori treatment follow-up process. The interdisciplinary project team implemented a standardized referral and education workflow involving gastroenterology providers, pharmacy and nursing staff.
As a result, test ordering compliance increased from 73.8% to 100%, improving patient safety and treatment outcomes. The project, piloted in July 2025, also generated an estimated $7,739.20 in annual cost avoidance, demonstrating the value of process improvement beyond clinical outcomes.
“This project shows what’s possible when teams come together with a shared focus on Veteran safety and reliability,” said Joseph Clayborne, systems redesign coordinator at Columbia VAHCS. “By standardizing the process, we reduced variation and ensured Veterans receive timely, consistent follow-up care.”
Team members included Dr. Saima Siddiqui, Jeannine Keeler, Angela Weston, Sara Feehan, Katie Cogan and Matt Shealy.
Leading the VISN in Lean Training
In FY 2025, Columbia VA led the VISN in Lean training participation, equipping staff at all levels with tools to identify inefficiencies and improve workflows.
• 147 staff completed Lean White Belt training
• 68 staff completed Lean Yellow Belt training
• 8 staff completed Lean Green Belt training
• 1 staff member completed Lean Black Belt training
The Systems Redesign team coordinated, promoted and supported training opportunities across the health care system to ensure broad access and participation.
“Building improvement capability across the workforce is critical,” Clayborne said. “When staff understand Lean principles, they’re empowered to identify problems and implement solutions that directly improve the Veteran experience.”
Highest Belt Certification Rates in the VISN
Columbia VA also earned recognition for achieving the highest Lean belt certification rates in the VISN:
• 37% Yellow Belt certification rate
• 63% Green Belt certification rate
• 100% Black Belt certification rate
These rates reflect not only training completion but successful application of Lean concepts through completed projects and measurable outcomes.
“Certification represents action, not just education,” Clayborne said. “These numbers tell us our staff are applying what they’ve learned to make meaningful, sustainable improvements throughout the organization.”
Sustaining a Culture of Continuous Improvement
The Systems Redesign team includes Jazmin Johnson, Matt Shealy, Tenisha Tisdale, Lakeyshia Fields, Latoya Littlejohn and Joseph Clayborne. Together, the team supports frontline staff, leadership and clinical services in identifying opportunities to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency.
“These recognitions belong to the entire Columbia VA team,” Clayborne said. “They reflect a culture where staff are engaged, improvement is encouraged and Veterans remain at the center of everything we do.”
For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA Health Care System, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in South Carolina, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.