As MDVA enters 2018, we review and update our operational goals.  Some of the external initiatives we need to address include the VA’s top five priorities:  greater choice for Veterans; managerial systems - specifically IT; use of resources more efficiently; improved timeliness of services through access and performance; and suicide prevention. In turn, the Governor’s priorities include increasing access to high-speed Internet, MNCare, sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and asset preservation.  And not to be left out, our radar screen shows an increasing appetite for new Veterans Homes in outstate Minnesota.

So what is MDVA going to focus on in the coming year? Our primary goal is to fulfill the needs of our Minnesota Veterans and their families through proven and innovative programs and services. To do this, we have prioritized five areas of focus. They are listed below:

• Business practice improvement  
• Information technology improvement
• Specialty healthcare improvement
• Enterprise improvement    
• Developing our valued employees

While I could give numerous examples of how we are successfully addressing these five focus areas, there are also many other opportunities and needs within our Veterans community. This demands that we dig deeper into the available resources to ensure that the needs of our Veterans are being met.  This will require that we have the total support and involvement of all our Veterans Service Organizations as well as our Federal, State and County agencies.  The phrase of “leave no Veteran behind” is easy lip service, but the challenges, depth of the need, and demands for coordination and support at all levels requires that we remain diligent and at the ready to serve the needs of all our Veterans.