Responsible for all administrative, business, personnel and budgetary operations for the surgical department at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center (a level 1C facility) to include administrative responsibility for space, contracts, equipment, recruitment, data management validation, patient experience, and budget formulation for the department.

Serves as the liaison between the medical center, patients/veterans, staff, congressional offices, white house staff, and community stakeholders regarding patient experience, patient rights and advocacy, and maintains clear communication between Veterans and their families, staff, facility leadership, VISN and community stakeholders in order to facilitate a desirable outcome for both my internal and external customers.

Appointed to this role by the Director of the Washington D.C. VAMC to support the Deputy Director in addressing a myriad of issues identified by the VA Office of the Inspector General (VA OIG) within Washington D.C. VAMC. This position required strong management, leadership and communication skills at all levels throughout the facility. Moreover, it required the employment of strong analytical skills and an acute ability identify a problem and quickly facilitate an appropriate resolution amenable to all parties involved.

Served as the Administrative Officer /Business Manager of Mental Health Service, Responsible for all business/administrative duties for the largest service in the medical facility. Acted as a key member of the Incident Command (Operation Right the Ship) which was established to address the shortage of psychiatrists (inpatient and outpatient), evaluate and improve fragmented and outdated processes, work practices for performing on call duties, diagnosing and improving adverse trends and ensuring that improvements are implemented to avoid future recurrence.

Functions as a liaison between veterans and their families and medical center staff, community and non profit agencies to ensure that veterans receive prompt and appropriate medical care, and have access to their full entitlement of benefits; and to resolve problems that arise. The work impacts the care that veterans receive and the ability to provide seamless care across agencies and facilities within VA.

Served as the liaison and acting deputy director in the absence of the director to wounded active duty soldiers and their families during their time at Walter Reed. Assisted families in need of financial assistance, jobs, housing, clothing and other critical needs while they rehabbed by connecting them with the necessary non profit organizations. Developed strong relationships with various non profit and government entities to meet the array of issues impacting the soldiers and their families.

Responsible for partnering with coordinating, training, mentoring, assigning, and supervising Give an Hour’s providers in attending the Project Odyssey retreats sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project. Conducted outreach to mental health professionals and worked with corporations and military entities to encourage mental health professionals to volunteer with Give an Hour. Provided education and training on military culture and subjects, such as trauma-induced mental health issues to providers. • Worked closely with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) a national nonprofit 501 (c)3 Veterans Service Organization and to assist in families in crisis.

Managed the administration of a large federally funded grant and supervised staff at multiple locations within Northern Louisiana. Exceeded the goals and objectives required to maintain the grant.