Secretary McDonald Visits VA Boston
Secretary McDonald speaks with VA Boston Employees during his tour and asks for input and reaffirms his committment to change.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert A. McDonald, visited the VA Boston Healthcare System October 16 – 17, 2014.
Since the United States Senate confirmed him to serve as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in July, the 61-year-old McDonald has not wasted any time showing his commitment to Veterans, VA employees and stakeholders by setting off to tour VA facilities in 20 cities.
While touring VA Boston, McDonald talked to researchers, doctors, nurses, administrators, and Veterans to see what VA does that’s different and better than the private sector.
“I’m pleased that Secretary McDonald is touring VA Boston,” said Vincent Ng, Director, VA Boston Healthcare System. “Boston is known for cutting edge medicine, sought after programs, educated and highly skilled employees, and world renowned educational affiliations,” he said.
McDonald answered questions candidly, and delivered a positive message that promised change and encouraged excellence.
McDonald asked employees to help him improve customer service by recommitting themselves to serving Veterans, and to the VA Values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE).
Anthony O’Brien, a Navy and Marine Corps Veteran, who works with the Disabled American Veterans Charity helping Veterans get to their medical appointments, asked questions and had an exchange of good-natured ribbing with McDonald, an Army Veteran, about inter-service rivalry.
After the give-and-take, O’Brien said, “I like your approach – it is nothing short of inspirational. I’m fighting the battle for VA on the streets. I talk to a lot of Veterans and they have nothing but good things to say about VA, and we need to get that message out.”
With change as a theme throughout his visit, VA employees asked McDonald to encourage Congress to take a thoughtful look at laws and regulations that prevent modernizing infrastructure and customer service procedures, and to consult VA experts throughout the process.
