Columbia VA Launches Director’s Shadowing Program to Strengthen Connections and Elevate Veteran Care

As a Pharmacy administrative officer at the Columbia VA Health Care System, she was already making her mark, but her sights were set even higher. With aspirations of one day becoming an executive leader, she’s blazed a trail defined by service, resilience, and determination.

Smith was the first participant in the Columbia VA’s new Director’s Shadow Program—an initiative designed to bring leadership closer to frontline staff through half-day immersive experiences. It’s a bold effort to bridge the gap between administration and operations, and Smith stepped up without hesitation.

“Being selected as the first participant was an honor,” Smith said. “It gave me a broader understanding of how leadership decisions are made and how each department contributes to our mission of serving Veterans.”

Smith’s leadership journey began long before she stepped into her role. As a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadet in high school, she was introduced to the structure and responsibility that come with leadership roles.

David “Brett” Vess, CVAHCS Acting Medical Center Director, first introduced the program while serving as associate director of the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia. Seeing its impact there, he brought the concept to Columbia, aiming to cultivate trust, transparency, and connection across departments.

The initiative allows employees to shadow the director for part of the day, offering a unique opportunity for both parties to share perspectives, enhance transparency, and foster a shared sense of purpose.

“I saw it as a good way to connect with team members across the organization,” Vess said. “Each one of us has different roles, but we are all part of the interdisciplinary team. The Veteran is at the center, and we are either taking care of the Veteran or taking care of someone who is.”

Smith brought a wealth of operational knowledge and a passion for service to the experience.

“As the administrative officer for our pharmacy, I spearhead our contracts, manage payroll, oversee encounters, maintain electronic records, and support everything from hiring to facility requests,” Smith said. “The AO is sometimes considered a jack of all trades.”

Smith’s behind-the-scenes role plays a critical part in ensuring smooth pharmacy operations, from compliance with multimillion-dollar contracts to maintaining accurate patient records essential for care and funding. Her day-to-day work, though largely unseen, reflects a deep commitment to Veterans and their safety.

“Veterans will sometimes approach the administrator with inquiries about their medications,” she said. “Our leadership will stop what they are doing, speak to them, hear them out, and ensure they are helped. You rarely see things like that outside of the VA.”

Outside of the hospital walls, Smith channels that same drive into the world of competitive sports. She is the captain of the USA South Rugby All-Star team and a proud member of the Jamaican national rugby squad. In both arenas, she’s learned that leadership is less about commanding and more about serving.

“Rugby has taught me so much about staying calm under pressure, being adaptable, and leading by example,” Smith said. “Those are the same principles I apply in my professional life—quick thinking, adaptability, and a servant leadership mindset.”

Smith believes that effective leadership is built on communication, empathy, and the ability to connect across all levels of an organization. That’s exactly what the shadow program aims to foster.

Vess said that kind of interaction is exactly why the shadowing initiative matters. “The more we get to know each other in a meaningful way, the better it will be for our working relationships and our shared sense of purpose, which is to take care of Veterans.”

Employees are nominated for the program through their supervisors, with final approval from service chiefs. Each session lasts half a day and includes observation, conversation and follow-up feedback. Vess said the insights gained will help inform decisions, complement other leadership engagement efforts and strengthen trust across the organization.

“This is one of the many initiatives to increase connectedness,” he said. “We can grow and learn together as we harness our collective energy serving Veterans.”

Looking ahead, Vess hopes the program becomes a fixture at the Columbia VA Health Care System.

“The long-term vision is for us to build on and strengthen trust for each other,” he said. “This is just one initiative. Others include leader rounding, patient safety forums, supervisor training, team huddles, town halls, and employee and Veteran events.”

His message to any employee nervous about being shadowed was simple and heartfelt: “We are all on the same team. No one is more important than the other. If we can have meaningful conversations with each other, we can change an organization and be the best for our Veterans.”

For Smith, the shadowing experience only fueled her ambitions. It came near the end of her time at Dorn VA, before moving into a new opportunity. Her journey offered her a powerful perspective on resilience, leadership, and the importance of community.

“I feel this is just the beginning for me,” she said with a smile. “I’m committed to growing, learning, and one day, leading from the top—with heart, humility, and a deep respect for the people who make our mission possible.”

As she continues to make strides on and off the field, Donneisha Smith is proving that the future of executive leadership is in capable, compassionate hands.

For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.