VA Secretary's Visit Shines Spotlight on G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center's Remarkable Achievements
In a memorable visit that showcased the exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment of G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center staff, VA Secretary Denis McDonough's recent trip left an indelible mark on the facility and its mission to provide the highest level of care to our Veterans.
The visit commenced with a Roundtable Event and Claims Clinic hosted in Greenwood, Mississippi, where Secretary McDonough engaged with the local community and Veterans. It was a powerful testament to the VA's promise of accessibility and responsiveness. Co-hosted by the Jackson VA Regional Office, the claims clinic saw an impressive turnout with 246 Veterans receiving assistance, and 168 PACT Act claims were filed successfully. It was a testament to the dedication of VA personnel who ensure Veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.
The journey continued to the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, where Secretary McDonough met with Jackson VA Regional Office leadership and staff, as well as the medical center’s executive leadership team, Network Director Dr. Skye McDougall, and Deputy Network Director Shannon Novotny.
What made this visit truly exceptional, however, were the remarkable individuals who were recognized for their outstanding contributions:
Sharetta Young – Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Service: Recognized for her unwavering commitment, Sharetta's program ensured that Veterans received safety plans after discharge from the Emergency Department. Her efforts raised the overdose review score from 28.57% in Q1 to an impressive 76.92% in Q2. The facility achieved the 4th highest Mental Health SAIL rating in the nation for Q3 of FY23.
Paul Collier – Supervisor, Biomedical Engineering: Paul's leadership transformed the Biomedical Engineering program, achieving an overall composite score of 89.6%, ranking nationally. He managed 16 medical device system installations, worth over 5 million dollars, elevating patient care standards.
Cyd Davis-Landing – Chaplain: Chaplain Cyd Davis-Landing's arrival ushered in a new era of compassionate spiritual care. Her innovative interventions reduced recidivism rates by 25%, with the completion rate of required Spiritual Assessments on the Mental Health Unit rising to 100%.
Kim Morris – Group Practice Manager: Kim's tireless efforts improved access to Veteran care, optimizing clinic operations and enhancing the quality of care provided in several critical areas, including Podiatry, Allergy, Endocrinology, Chiropractic, and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) services.
Emilio Lindo – Environmental Health Coordinator: Emilio's exceptional efforts in conducting PACT Act outreach and Toxic Exposure Screening (TES) implementation led to remarkable results, elevating the quality of care and access to services.
Kristin Richardson – Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff: Kristin's proactive approach to program management improved the efficiency of evaluations, maintaining the highest level of care and service quality for Veterans.
The visit by Secretary McDonough not only honored these exceptional individuals but also emphasized the dedication of the entire team at G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center team. Their collective efforts made this visit a resounding success, reinforcing the facility as a beacon of excellence in Veteran care.
As VA continues its mission to provide the highest quality care to Veterans, the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center stands as a shining example of dedication, innovation, and compassion.
The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC and the Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Kosciusko, McComb, Meridian, and Natchez VA Clinics are all part of the VA Jackson Health Care System which is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, and provide a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 54,000 Veterans. For more information visit www.jackson.va.gov.