Veteran Care Coordinators
VA serves all Veterans. Our trained Care Coordinators are fully equipped to support the health, welfare, and dignity of you and your family. Veteran care coordinators can answer your questions, advocate for your right to quality care, assist with complaints or concerns you have about your care, and help you get started with any of our services.
Connect with a care coordinator
M. Catherine Register LICSW
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) Coordinator
VA Tuscaloosa health care
Phone:
Email: Mary.register@va.gov
James Smith LICSW
VIST, SCI/D, and Polytrauma Coordinator
VA Tuscaloosa health care
Phone:
Email: James.smith40@va.gov
Michelle M. Hilgeman PhD.
Senior Psychologist Clinician Investigator
VA Tuscaloosa health care
Phone:
Email: Michelle.Hilgeman@va.gov
Policies and practices to know
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center has a number of policies to ensure culturally and clinically competent care for Veterans.
Visitation: The Tuscaloosa VAMC allows for a family member, friend, or other individual can be present with the patient for emotional support during the patient's stay.
Definition of family: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, and significant others.
Advanced Directives: Veterans may designate any person as a decision-maker for care if they are unable to make these decisions themselves. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related.
Documentation in medical records: The Tuscaloosa VA maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation and sexual behavior, just like any other private health information.
Changing name or sex in records: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name. There are established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer.
Preferred Name: VA has a Preferred Name field available for medical records. Veterans can contact the Enrollment and Eligibility Office to request that the name which you go is entered in the Preferred Name field in your medical record. Once entered by the Enrollment staff, the name will be visible and follow the legal name in your medical record. No documentation is needed to update the Preferred Name field in your medical record.
Concerns and/or Complaints: If you feel you are not being provided with compassionate care, we encourage you to make your concerns known. Concerns regarding a specific Service (e.g., Primary Care, Mental Health) should be directed to the contact person for that Service. Contact information for each Service can be easily found on this website through the Services page. You may also discuss any concerns with a Patient Advocate. If you have any questions or concerns that are not about a specific Service or Clinic, you can contact a Veteran Care Coordinator.