VA Maryland Health Care System Nurse Recognized by Maryland Nurses Association with Outstanding Dissemination of Health Information Award

In recognition of achievements in the dissemination of health information to the public with coverage that can include illness prevention or wellness promotion through print, radio, television, cinematic or other similar mass communication medium, the award was presented at its annual convention in October 2023.

“We are thrilled that one of our nurse leaders has been awarded this prestigious recognition for her savviness in using mass media to alert women veterans about health issues and how the VA Maryland Health Care System can serve them,” said Jonathan R. Eckman, P.E., director of the VA Maryland Health Care System. “We take pride in the learning environment for both staff and veterans throughout our system, which contributes to excellent care by enabling patients to make informed decisions about their health care.”

In her role as Women Veterans Program Manager, Kirksey is a resource to women of all ages, coworkers, community partners and the public as she works toward raising awareness, improving access and reducing barriers to health care for women veterans. She has been interviewed by local news outlets, speaking about the annual baby showers hosted by the health care system for new and expectant moms. . She also appears regularly on Facebook Live events on the health care system’s Facebook Fan page, discussing topics like pelvic health and physical therapy, diet and nutrition, maternal health, pharmacy needs for both expectant mothers and women undergoing menopause, mental health and a multitude of other topics related to women’s health. She participates in lunch and learn events for clinical staff. Kirksey also facilitated the acquisition of nursing pods that now are located throughout the health care system for all nursing mothers, both patients and employees.

“Siobhan tirelessly advocates for women veterans and the practitioners who serve them,” said Dr. Sandra Marshall, chief of staff at the VA Maryland Health Care System. “Her dedication is noticeable in every interaction she has with patients and staff alike.”

“It’s fantastic to be recognized individually,” said Kirksey. “But I cannot emphasize enough that I would achieve nothing without the amazing women’s health care team at the VA Maryland Health Care System.,

Kirksey earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2001 from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2005 from Howard University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 2009.  She will graduate from the University of Minnesota with her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Integrative Health and Wellness in May 2024.  She has received awards from Maryland Physicians Care, who selected her for the Impact Award in 2018, and Privia Care named her as one if its Honor Roll recipients in 2020.