Phoenix VA Celebrates Recent Leadership Development Institute Graduates

The LDI program is a structured 12-month leadership development program that teaches one to communicate effectively, lead under stress and apply analytical skills to sustain healthcare leadership advancing quality Veteran care while developing ethical, enduring leaders who can adapt to change and maintain mission focus. 

What made this set of graduates from the Phoenix VA different from previous graduates is their collaboration.

Graduates Danielle Crawford, audiology supervisor; Michael Heinrich, physical therapist; and Lisa Jur, systems and procedures analyst collaborated on a group project with Courtney Baker, chief of organizational health and experience officer, to refine the facility's standard of work for the All-Employee Survey (AES). 

“The employee experience is important to creating a culture of excellence at the VA and gets us one step closer to our goal of becoming a High Reliability Organization, which our Veterans deserve,” said Danielle Crawford, audiology supervisor. “The goal of the AES standard of work was to provide leaders throughout the facility with resources and a step-by-step guide on how to use the AES to make meaningful changes to the employee experience at the Phoenix VA.”  

As professionals going through the LDI program, the graduates shadowed the Phoenix VA Executive Leadership Team, attended monthly interactive workshops that were held twice a month, and learned all about how to be an effective leader in the VA.

The program brought together emerging leaders from all eight facilities in the region and facilitated process improvement, the sharing of best practices and collaboration across the network.  The program also included two week-long in person sessions and a virtual week-long session. 

To be eligible for the program, employees must be permanent and current General Schedule (GS-11‐14) or Wage Grade (WG-12 and above, WL-10 and above, WS-6 and above) or Title 38 (Physician and Dentists GM-14/15, Nurse II and above) employee of VISN 22. Time-limited, term or temporary employees are ineligible.

Here is what our graduates had to say about their experience: 

“LDI has played such a pivotal role in my leadership journey this year,” said Danielle Crawford, audiology supervisor. “It provided me with the tools to network and build effective working relationships, find strength and resilience in challenging times, and cultivated an environment where staff are inspired to do and be their best for our Veterans, and so much more. The professional growth and development I found through LDI is unmatched, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program.”

“I have learned so much from the LDI program. From the instruction, guest speakers, learning materials and my classmates, I have gained so much since the course started. I will always be grateful for my time in the program and especially my Phoenix team for the effective collaboration. This was a wonderful opportunity that I highly recommend to anyone thinking of pursuing a leadership role at the VA,” said Michael Heinrich, physical therapist. 

“LDI has taught me how to become a better leader through the lectures and guest speakers,” said Lisa Jur, systems and procedures analyst. “Interacting with classmates and the bonds created will last through my career. The comradery of class, as well as the guidance of leaders, will leave a lasting imprint on me. I would be remiss to not add how much LDI has taught me as a person as well. This program has taught me how to be a better leader from both a professional and personal standpoint.”

For more information about the LDI program, reach out to the William Soto at 602-277-5551, extension 6369 or by email William.Soto@va.gov.