Michelle R. Mountfort DHA, MSN, MBA, RN

Dr. Mountfort had previously served more than two years as the associate director, patient care services, for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, California. She also served as a patient care services representative on the American Federation of Government Employees and National Nurses United negotiations teams.

Dr. Mountfort began her VA career in 2008 as an assistant nurse manager in VA Western Colorado Health Care System. She became the associate chief nurse for ambulatory care, then deputy associate director, patient care services. She next served as deputy associate director, patient care services, for VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and was subsequently selected for associate director. Dr. Mountfort is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and serves on regional and national VA committees and workgroups.

Prior to becoming a nurse, Dr. Mountfort worked in pre-hospital emergency medicine as a paramedic. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in biology from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. She then attended a paramedic-to-registered nurse program and earned an associate degree in nursing from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. She later earned a master’s in nursing and Master of Business Administration and Healthcare from the University of Phoenix. She is a graduate of the Leadership Development Institute and Federal Executive Institute, and a certified VA mentor with a special interest in psychological safety, resiliency, staff empowerment and process improvement. She is currently a candidate for a doctorate in health administration.