Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Doug A. Collins Visits Orlando VA Medical Center
The Honorable Douglas A. Collins, Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, visited the Orlando VA Medical Center to meet with leadership, tour the facility, and recognize employees for their outstanding service to Veterans.
Secretary Collins was welcomed by Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) Medical Center Director Mr. Timothy Cooke and the VISN 8 Network Director, Mr. David Isaacks.
During his visit, Secretary Collins highlighted the Orlando VA’s commitment to Veteran care, “It’s been great to be down here and to see everything that the Orlando VA has been doing. This is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing at the VA. Congratulations to the staff here for putting our Veterans first in everything they do!”
The day began with an executive leadership briefing, where Secretary Collins was updated on the facility’s five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), its innovative bed occupancy solutions, partnerships with State Veterans Homes, and on robust programs like suicide prevention and homeless outreach initiatives.
Following the briefing, Secretary Collins participated in a guided tour of the Orlando VA’s clinical operations including acute care, medical simulation, and women’s health facilities.
Secretary Collins concluded his visit with a special recognition coin ceremony for a group of employees’ extraordinary service in support of a state nursing home crisis in Puerto Rico.
Earlier this year, over 30 clinical staff from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 8, voluntarily deployed to support La Casa del Veterano, the only Veteran nursing home in Puerto Rico, after a critical staffing shortage. These professionals quickly adapted under immense pressure to ensure the safety and care of over 30 vulnerable Veterans.
Recipients of the Secretary’s Coin included:
- Dr. Juan C. Palacios, Physician, Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC)
- Katrina Jones, Nurse
- Evelyn Mirando, Nurse
- Sophy Ortiz-Colon, Nurse
- Aristomelia Rosario, Nurse
- Theresa Bonilla, Nurse
- Marie Lestin, Nurse
The visit underscored Orlando VA’s position as a leader in innovation, care access, and Veteran-centered programs. Secretary Collins expressed admiration for the staff’s passion and dedication, noting that the facility’s forward-thinking strategies set a benchmark for excellence across the VA.
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Established in October 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) was designated a 1a facility (most complex) in 2021, with more than 5,660 employees and an annual budget of $1.5B and serves more than 131,000 Veterans in Central Florida.
The Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona provides outpatient, inpatient and emergency services. Lake Nona’s 65-acre medical campus encompasses 134 acute inpatient beds, providing complex Medical/Surgical/Mental Health specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic as well as a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs/Domiciliaries (60-beds located at the Lake Nona Campus and 58-beds at the Lake Baldwin Campus). Outpatient services are provided at a Health Care Center in Viera, a Multispecialty Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Daytona Beach, and five Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Kissimmee, Deltona, Palm Bay and Tavares.