By Journal Staff

IRON MOUNTAIN — U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs Denis McDonough stopped at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center to speak with leadership, tour the facility and meet with employees recently.

He was joined by Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, VA Health Services Research and Development Psychologist Carolyn Turvey, Director of Michigan Department of VA Brian Love and Veterans Integrated Services Network 12 Network Director Daniel Zomchek.

The secretary’s visit began with a round table meeting with the facility’s executive leadership team to discuss rural healthcare opportunities followed by interactions with frontline staff and the local labor union, AFGE Local 2280.

Iron Mountain VA Medical Center Director John Shealey said in a press release that the visit provided many opportunities for the secretary to interact with staff and “express his appreciation for a job well done.”

“Our meetings yielded positive feedback regarding potential future rural health initiatives,” Shealey said. “We are truly honored that the secretary and Representative Bergman have expressed an interest in rural health care and the role our facility plays in meeting the needs of our veterans.”

Five individuals were recognized by the secretary for their outstanding commitment to the ICARE values and the mission of the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center and fulfillment to care for those who have served in the military along with their families, caregivers and survivors.

Sault Ste. Marie CBOC Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Colleen Burton, Suicide Prevention Coordinator Sharon Anastas, Chief Supply Chain Officer John Grayvold, Inpatient Unit LPN Bobbie Adell and Associate Group Practice Manager Joe Hord each received a challenge coin from the secretary and handshakes from both the secretary and senator.

Adell said meeting the secretary was a “great experience.”

“I was surprised and humbled by the recognition and would like to accept the award on behalf of all of my fellow nurses here at the VA,” Adell said. “Each and every one of us work here to serve the veterans. We do so with pride to thank America’s heroes for the sacrifices they made for us.”

The visit continued to the dentist lab and kitchen as part of the tour of the facility.

“To have someone at that level model ICARE values – integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence – in both his words and his actions – was such an honor,” Nutrition Communication Center Coordinator Jaclyn Hintsala. “It just made it so real. My heart is full!”

The tour continued into the Community Living Center, where the secretary and senator talked with residents John Moddie and Ken Davis.

Moddie served during World War II and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge, becoming a POW for approximately four months. Davis served in Vietnam and was a Navy Corpsman.

“I’m here today to say to this great team, thank you and keep it up,” McDonough said. “Everyone in this facility has the veteran at the center of care.”

After the visit, the secretary and senator departed for Baraga, MI, where they met with members of the Baraga County Memorial Hospital and others to discuss rural health care.

Afterwards, the secretary and senator departed for Baraga where they met members of the Baraga County Memorial Hospital to discuss rural health care, followed by a visit to Hancock at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic for further discussion on rural health care and to present challenge coins to Primary Care Section Chief Allison Helman and Primary Care Section Chief Audrey Liston.

This was the first time since the Iron Mountain VA was built in 1950 that a secretary of the VA has visited the facility.