Manchester VA Medical Center personnel garner annual Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing

Medical Center Director Kevin M. Forrest and Registered Nurse Krystle M. O'Shaughnessy received the news while performing the actions leading to their selection—contributing to the excellent care of Veteran patients.

“The annual Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing is an honor bestowed upon the best of the best across our nation’s VA health care professionals,” said Network Director Ryan Lilly, VA New England Health Care System. “I offer my sincerest congratulations to Krystle and Kevin for the world-class health care they provide to Veterans at the Manchester VA Medical Center.”

The yearly VA Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing program began in 1984, and today, honors one Medical Center Director, Nurse Executive (NE), Registered Nurse (RN) in a staff nurse role and one in a non-staff nurse role, i.e., advanced practice nurse, nurse manager, instructor, etc., a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), and a Nursing Assistant (NA) actively engaged in the care of patients at a VA Medical Center (VAMC).

Manchester VAMC garnered two of the six areas of the nursing program awards selecting Forrest as the Medical Center Director awardee and O'Shaughnessy as the LPN awardee.

The peer-driven nomination process begins at the medical center, moving nominees forward to the regional level, and ultimately on VA Secretary Denis McDonough’s desk for selection out of the talented groups of nominees.

Forrest’s winning nomination package captured his leadership from a holistic perspective, including the knowledge and skills needed that has kept Manchester VAMC engaged through the COVID-19 pandemic for Veteran patients, employees, and the community. His relationship building has effectively collaborated with nursing to co-create new ways of doing work together to create healthy, healing, and regenerative work environments.

As a frontline health care professional, former LPN O'Shaughnessy was the first contact with Veterans for the Home Telehealth program providing patient-driven care, education, and assisting in the management of patient diseases as summarized in her nomination. During a staffing shortage, she volunteered to manage telehealth compliance ensuring timely medical assistance to patients in the program was received, as well as COVID-19 positive patients needing closer monitoring assistance.

Forrest and O’Shaughnessy will participate in the 2023 Awards Ceremony slated for May 3, 2023, to receive this once in a lifetime award.

 

VA Manchester Healthcare System is part of the VA New England Healthcare System which
includes eight medical centers, located in the six New England states. Manchester VA is comprised
of one main campus located in Manchester and four community-based outpatient clinics located in
Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton. The Portsmouth outpatient clinic is located at Pease
Air National Guard Base.

Media inquiries should be made directly to the Office of Public Affairs at Manchester VAMC by
email at: Lori.Flynn@va.gov

Lori Flynn, Public Affairs Officer

Phone: