Columbia VAHCS Launches ELITE Program to Strengthen Leadership

Unlike traditional leadership courses that focus primarily on soft skills, ELITE provides hands-on education in critical operational areas.

Acting Medical Center Director Oscar G. Rodriguez recognized an opportunity to standardize training for facility leaders and spearheaded the development of a structured program to address it, leveraging internal subject matters experts within the Healthcare System and Network 7 Office as the primary facilitators. “This training is crucial to the continued growth and effectiveness of our leaders, ensuring they have the proper technical knowledge, skills and resources needed to be successful in their roles,” Rodriguez said.

ELITE offers insight into several key processes within the VA, including Joint Patient Safety Reporting, the facility hiring process, finance and employee travel, reasonable accommodations, and ethics. The program also introduces participants to servant leadership and commitment management, helping them understand how to support and guide their teams effectively.

“We have an excellent leadership training program developed by Dr. Andrea Boyd, which highlights many leadership attributes,” said Nichole Brown and Catherine Sinay, ELITE program co-leads. “ELITE is designed to complement that training by covering necessary technical skills that aren’t currently addressed in required or recommended courses.”

The development team (Caitlyn Rosansky, Nichole Brown, Dr. B. James McCallum, and Catherine Sinay) shaped the curriculum based on feedback from current leaders, managers, and newly hired supervisors. The goal was to provide practical knowledge and real-world applications, ensuring participants gain a strong foundation in VA processes.

“We didn’t face many challenges in launching ELITE, but our biggest hurdle was ensuring we dedicated enough time to each topic while keeping sessions interactive,” Sinay said. “We want to move beyond PowerPoint presentations and create a dynamic learning environment where leaders can engage in discussions and apply what they learn.”

By providing a structured framework, ELITE aims to support leaders as they grow and mentor others. The program gives participants access to valuable resources, contacts, and guidance to navigate their roles effectively.

Looking ahead, the team envisions ELITE becoming a model for leadership training across the VA. “We see ELITE becoming a leader in the VISN and hope it becomes a program others want to implement at their facilities,” McCallum said.

While it is too early to offer advice to other VA Health Care Systems looking to implement a similar initiative, the ELITE team remains committed to refining the program. “We are encouraging honest feedback from attendees to make improvements,” Sinay said. “Strong leadership development is essential to our mission, and we want ELITE to be as effective as possible.”

With its unique focus on technical skills and operational knowledge, ELITE is set to shape the next generation of leaders at Columbia VAHCS, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve Veterans and their fellow employees.

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.