NF/SGVHS Recognized for Access Sprint Success
Jacksonville, Fla. – The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System hosted the Office of Healthcare Transformation (OHT) during an Access Sprint celebration ceremony at the Jacksonville North Outpatient Clinic, April 23, 2024.
This special recognition ceremony celebrated outcomes achieved during the Access Sprint Wave 2 – Specialty Care Phase II in Cardiology and Wave 3 – Mental Health.
The Cardiology Specialty Care Clinic was recognized as the Access Sprint Wave 2 – Specialty Care Phase II Top Performer. Notable outcomes included a 59% increase in completed new patient appointments, a 6% decrease in new patients waiting over 28 days, and a 56% decrease in patients waiting for a cardiology appointment in the community.
Dr. Carsten Schmalfuss, chief of specialty care and cardiology, accepted the award on behalf of the Cardiology Specialty Care Clinic located in Gainesville.
“Our goal is to provide the right care at the right time at the right place for all of our patients,” Dr. Schmalfuss expressed. He was happy to accept this award for his team and the hard work everyone put in to providing world-class health care to the Veterans we serve.
The Gainesville Mental Health Clinic was recognized as the Access Sprint Wave 3 – Mental Health Most Improved Site. Notable outcomes included an 11% increase in patients who received same-day mental health services through a mental health provider within the primary care team, a 41% decrease in new patients waiting over 20 days, a 30% decrease in patients waiting for a mental health appointment in the community, and a 9% increase in completion of the required number of psychotherapy appointments for patients-based diagnoses.
Dr. George Shorter, a psychologist within the Mental Health Service Line, accepted the award on behalf of the Mental Health Clinic also located in Gainesville.
“Getting to Veterans in rural communities was really key for us,” said Dr. Shorter. “We decided to commit ourselves to planting those key positions in a strategic way with teleworkers in those areas and when the pandemic hit, we were able to continue providing that care.”
Dr. Mark Upton, Deputy to the Deputy Under Secretary for Health, was on hand to provide remarks about North Florida/ South Georgia Veteran Health Systems efforts stating, “When I look at the percentages that are really impressive with cardiology and mental health, I think about those individual Veterans that you’ve touched and the importance of learning what you’ve done and amplifying that across the country.”
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System strives to provide world-class care to all Veterans. This recognition solidifies the work we put in to ensure the staff throughout NF/SGVHS continues delivering on the promise to connect Veterans to the soonest and best care.
For more information on the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/locations/malcom-randall-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/.