Secretary of VA visits Marion VA Health Care System Evansville Campus
By Todd Wright, Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, toured the Evansville VA Health Care Center in Evansville, Indiana. The visit included a leadership round table with local Marion VA Executives, VISN 15 Deputy Director, as well as Senator Jim Banks, and Congressman Mark Messmer.
SEC VA hits the ground running.
As he entered the facility, Secretary Collins spoke with several Veterans and volunteers. His first interaction was with a Veteran who was there for his first ever visit with the Evansville facility and spoke highly of his experience. He continued the tour speaking with the dedicated Women Veterans Health Care Team, members of Primary Care, Specialty Care, and the Surgical and Dental teams.
Evansville Employees in the Spotlight.
He coined four employees for outstanding work. They include Jason Gener who is the facility patient advocate, Angie Adams, facility Community Development Civic Engagement specialist, Lt. James Summers with the VA PD, and Shelly Duggins a Register Nurse.
The Secretary's mission and thoughts on Evansville visit.
“This is about putting Veterans first. You see the passion for the people here. I appreciate so much the frankness of the discussion of our doctors here and our administrators on things that hold us back” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.
Praises from other DC Leadership.
“The way this clinic operates, the way it partners with community, with local providers, there is a good story to tell here that can be modeled all over the country” Senator Jim Banks of Indiana.
Thoughts from local leadership.
“This is a historic moment for this community, we’ve never had a Secretary from the VA here. It was a wonderful productive conversation about what we can do to advance our mission to serve Veterans better.” Zachary Sage, Executive Director Marion VA Health Care System.