Meet Joanne Barrett: VA Providence's New Women Veterans Program Manager

Barrett is a Veteran herself, with 24 years of service in the Rhode Island Air National Guard as a combat medic and immunization specialist. She has also been working at the VA since 2009, in various roles such as Medical Technician, Intensive Care Unit nurse, and Operating Room/Post Anesthesia Care Unit nurse. She brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to her new position.

As the Women Veterans Program Manager, Barrett's main goal is to educate and advocate for Women Veterans, both enrolled and non-enrolled, and to ensure that they receive the best care and service possible. She wants to educate this community about the many programs and benefits that VA Providence offers, such as:

- Women's primary care in Providence, Middletown, New Bedford, and Hyannis, with designated women providers who offer comprehensive and gender-specific care

- Family planning and preconception counseling, menopause care, mental health treatment, osteoporosis screening and management, and more

- Preventive care including cancer screenings and immunizations

- Telehealth, gender affirming care, weight management, nutrition, and wellness programs

- Women Veteran networking groups and events

Barrett also wants to ensure that Women Veterans are treated with privacy and dignity, and that they have a voice in their health care decisions. She plans to establish and maintain relationships with all service chiefs and staff to promote best practices and quality improvement for Women Veterans. She also aims to attend as many outreach events as possible, to connect with and recruit more Women Veterans to the VA system.

Barrett is eager to hear from and help members of this community with any questions, concerns, or feedback they may have. She invites them to reach out to her anytime, by phone or email, or to visit her office located in Trailer 32 at VA Providence. Her contact information is:

Joanne Barrett, RN, BSN

Women Veterans Program Manager

VA Providence

830 Chalkstone Ave

Trailer 32

Providence, RI 02908

Phone: 401-273-7100 ext. 16191

Email: joanne.barrett1@va.gov

Please join us in welcoming Joanne Barrett to her new role, and in thanking her for her service and dedication to our Women Veterans. We are lucky to have her on our team, and we look forward to working with her to provide the best care and service to our Women Veterans.