Activity at MDVA has been relatively quiet. Activity with the legislature and Governor's office, for MDVA, has been relatively quiet also. The Minneapolis Veterans Home has been fully funded, and we are ready to begin construction on the third and final phase.
Our office activity has focused primarily in the area of key personnel moves. Brad Lindsay has been serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services for the past year. He has recently accepted the official position of Deputy Commissioner. A win for Veterans and the agency!
We have also created a new position within the agency for a "Chief of Staff." This has been filled by Mike McElhiney, who served as our Legislative Director for the past five years. Mike's primary mission is to ensure all the key supporting functions - finance, personnel, etc. - are in sync in supporting our two separate divisions of Program and Services and the Veterans Homes.
The greatest change is forthcoming with a search for a new Deputy Commissioner to lead our Veterans Healthcare Division and five State Veterans Homes. After more than seven years with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Robin Gaustad, has announced she will be leaving MVDA. Her last day will be Friday, Feb. 12. During her more than seven years at the Agency, Robin served in a variety of capacities, including the Continuous Quality Improvement Manager, Veterans Home Administrator, Senior Director of Veterans Health Care, and most recently as the Interim Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Health Care. She has worked for the State of Minnesota since March of 2006. While we will miss Robin, the partnerships she forged, and the insight she brought to the Agency, we should all be proud of the work she has done to lead our health care team in our mission of serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. Under her leadership the Veterans Homes Division has accomplished a number of nation-leading initiatives and processes, including:
-CMS Certifications
-Continued "Best in Class" ratings through Pinnacle Quality Insight, exceeding the national average in a number of categories
-A sustained focus on quality, resulting in numerous recognitions through the Governor's Continuous Improvement Awards program
-The first State Veterans Home in the nation to roll out Telemedicine, in partnership with the local VA Medical Center
-Growth in important partnerships, including Leading Age Minnesota, Twin City Health Care Partnership, the VA Medical Center, Veterans Service Organizations and the list goes on!
I hope you will join me in wishing Robin the best of luck in her future endeavors. Andrew Burnside, the Hastings Veterans Home Administrator, will serve as the interim Deputy Commissioner while we conduct a nationwide search for the new Deputy Commissioner.
I also had the privilege to attend an event honoring Minnesota resident Earl Kothman, who served in Vietnam in 1966. He was part of the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. He was put in for a Bronze Star which was never received. His tenacious granddaughter, now an ROTC student, took on the task of getting him the Bronze Star. She was successful and on January 22 a special ceremony was held at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii, sent representatives to St. Paul to participate in the ceremony. They clearly demonstrated that the division cares for its own regardless of which era. Congressman Emmer was also in attendance along with other noted dignitaries.
Lastly I had a special experience held at Camp Ripley. The 136th Infantry (M) Battalion based out of Moorhead Minnesota held a 'Dining In' to which I was invited to speak. It was kind of surreal in that I was speaking to young officers who weren't born yet when I was the unit's commander. They are preparing to go through the rigorous National Training Center (NTC). They asked that I share some of my experiences and insights. It went relatively well, but the key message that emerged centered on the importance of taking care of each other, especially the Commanders taking care of their troops, and in doing so, the troops exceeding all expectations. It was an enjoyable but also emotional evening for me. But most importantly, I was pleased to see that we have a new generation of emerging leaders who take their mission seriously. I believe Battalion is in good hands and has a strong future.
