Patient Advocates
Thank you for allowing the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) to provide your health care needs. We honor your service and sacrifice to our country. Our Patient Advocate program seeks to personally give you and your family the security of knowing someone is available to focus on your individual concerns and rights as a patient. We work directly with all departments and can address your questions, problems or special needs. If you, or a Veteran you care, for has not been able to resolve important issues related to VA, please contact one of our Patient Advocates.
Connect with a patient advocate

Michael D. Simmons
Patient Advocate Supervisor, Biloxi VA Medical Center
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 228-523-5661
Email: michael.simmons4@va.gov
Biloxi

Pietro Bryant
Patient Advocate, Biloxi VA Medical Center
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 228-523-5098
Email: pietro.bryant@va.gov

Petra Carr
Patient Advocate, Biloxi VA Medical Center
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 228-523-8777
Email: petra.carr@va.gov

LaCita Julian
Patient Advocate, Biloxi VA Medical Center
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 228-523-5761
Email: LaCita.White@va.gov

Mary Nelson
Patient Centered Care Coordinator, Biloxi VA Medical Center
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 228-523-5851
Email: mary.nelson2@va.gov
Pensacola

Zoraida Butcher
Patient Advocate, Joint Ambulatory Care Center, Pensacola, Florida
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 850-912-2403
Email: Zoraida.Butcher@va.gov

Kenneth Lee
Patient Advocate, Pensacola, Florida
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 850-912-2050
Email: Kenneth.Lee2@va.gov
Mobile

Paul Broadus
Patient Advocate, Mobile Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 251-219-3908
Email: Paul.Broadus@va.gov
Eglin

Daniel Higgins
Patient Advocate, Eglin Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 850-609-2702
Email: Daniel.HIggins4@va.gov
Panama City Beach

Heather Kennedy
Patient Advocate, Panama City Beach Community Based Outpatient Clinic
VA Gulf Coast health care
Phone: 850-636-7039
Email: heather.kennedy3@va.gov
Care we provide at VA Gulf Coast
Our patient advocates work hard to make sure you receive the best possible care. They offer help with:
- Patient concerns with the care team
- Advocating for patient and family rights