Jackson VA Executive Director Michael Renfrow Earns Two National Honors at 2026 ACHE Congress
By Camille Weston, Public Affairs Officer
Executive Director Michael Renfrow of the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center received two national recognitions during the 2026 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress in Houston, Texas for his leadership in patient safety and mentorship.
Renfrow was presented with the VA High Reliability Organization Achievement Award, which honors healthcare leaders who exemplify excellence in leadership and a steadfast commitment to building organizations grounded in Just Culture and the pursuit of Zero Harm.
During the same event, he was also named the 2026 Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Preceptor of the Year, an award that recognizes mentors who distinguish themselves in training and developing future healthcare administrators.
Together, the awards highlight Renfrow’s impact both in strengthening organizational culture and in preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Advancing a Culture of Safety
Since serving as Acting Director beginning in May 2024 and later being appointed Executive Director in February 2025, Renfrow has emphasized visible leadership, open communication and staff engagement across the medical center.
Under his leadership, the facility strengthened its High Reliability journey by promoting psychological safety and encouraging employees to report concerns and share ideas without fear of blame.
Through the “Ask the Director” platform, staff can anonymously submit concerns and suggestions directly to leadership. One nurse used the platform to report abrasive washcloths that posed a potential risk to Veterans. The concern led to the removal of the product, a no-cost replacement for more than 1,500 washcloths, and the implementation of a new Environmental Management Service quality-monitoring process.
The nurse was later recognized by Renfrow and invited to join the facility’s Organizational Health Board, reinforcing the importance of speaking up to improve safety.
Driving Measurable Improvements
Renfrow also established the Strategic Optimization Committee, which aligns clinical and administrative leaders around performance improvement priorities and data-driven decision making.
The medical center implemented a tiered safety huddle structure supported by a Visual Management System, allowing teams to escalate concerns quickly and coordinate solutions across the organization.
These efforts have produced measurable results. Through evidence-based infection prevention strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration, the facility reduced its C. diff infection rate from 3.9 percent in fiscal year (FY) 24 quarter (Q) 4 to zero percent in FY25 Q2 and Q3.
Staff engagement in safety initiatives has also increased, with HeRO Award nominations rising from four in FY23 through FY24 to fourteen in FY25, reflecting a growing culture of safety and accountability.
Developing Future Healthcare Leaders
Renfrow’s recognition as GHATP Preceptor of the Year highlights his commitment to mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program is one of VA’s premier leadership development programs, pairing trainees with experienced healthcare executives who provide guidance, hands-on learning opportunities, and exposure to complex health system operations.
“This recognition really belongs to the entire team,” Renfrow said. “High reliability is about creating an environment where every employee feels empowered to speak up, solve problems, and continuously improve the care we provide to Veterans.”
Through visible leadership, mentorship, and a strong commitment to safety, Renfrow continues to help build a culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and united in delivering high-quality care to Veterans.