VISN 22 Celebrates Leadership Excellence: Three SAVAHCS Employees Graduate from Prestigious LDI Program

Brittany Duarte, Brittany Jacobs and Tina Pitts have emerged as shining examples of dedication and growth, completing an intensive year-long program designed to cultivate the next generation of VA leaders.

Dr. Carrie Dekorte, VISN 22 Chief of Organizational Excellence, explained the program's significance: "The Leadership Development Institute is built on the leadership development framework created by VA, based on Office of Personnel Management competencies. We target everyone from team leaders to managers below our senior executives, focusing on developing others and being grounded in VA values and servant leadership principles."

The LDI program is no small undertaking. "When I started with LDI, I had no idea how time-intensive it would be. It's been a challenging year, but LDI has helped tremendously,” said Tina Pitts, a Social Worker at SAVAHCS. “You have to devote a lot of time and really soak it up because you only get out of it what you put into it."

Brittany Duarte, a Senior Social Worker in the Caregiver Support Program at SAVAHCS, echoed this sentiment: "The experience was grueling. It took fortitude, resilience, and flexibility. It was a lot of time management and information to manage, but obviously well worth it."

The program's rigorous nature is evident in its completion rate. Out of eight initial participants, only three graduated, underscoring the commitment required to succeed. Despite the challenges, the graduates emerged with invaluable skills and insights that will directly benefit Veterans.

"LDI translates to Veteran care because we're learning about ourselves as leaders and how to better lead others. We're using that to create a better work environment for employees, which in turn creates a better environment for Veterans,” explained Duarte. “Having trust in your leaders is very important, and learning how to develop psychological safety in our work groups is crucial."

The graduates also highlighted the lasting benefits of the program, including the network of leaders they can now collaborate with across VISN 22. This expanded network promises to foster innovation and best practices sharing, ultimately enhancing the care provided to Veterans.

Brittany Duarte, Brittany Jacobs and Tina Pitts’ accomplishment not only marks a significant milestone in their careers but also represents a broader commitment to excellence within the VA. Their success in the LDI program promises to bring fresh perspectives and enhanced leadership to SAVAHCS, directly benefiting the Veterans they serve.

As these graduates apply their newly honed skills and knowledge, the Tucson community can take pride in knowing that local VA leadership is continually striving to improve and innovate in service of our nation's heroes. The dedication shown by Duarte, Jacobs and Pitts serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the positive impact of investing in leadership development within our vital public institutions.

Jaison Bloom, Public Affairs Officer

Phone: