Dr. Elizabeth Stanczak poses with her retirement certificate at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center on Aug. 23.

IRON MOUNTAIN — After 19 years of federal service, Dr. Elizabeth M. Stanczak of Kingsford, Michigan, retired from the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain on Aug. 23.

Dr. Stanczak was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and is the daughter of a Navy pilot and World War II Veteran, Jesse Frank Hunt Sr.

She graduated from Hialeah Senior High School, attended Florida State University, graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and earned a master’s degree and doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology in psychology and neuropsychology.

In the mid-1970s, Dr. Stanczak served in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence analyst. She completed a psychology internship at the Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN as well as a second placement at Vanderbilt University. During the 1980s and early 1990s, she worked for the Department of Defense.

She then began working at the University of Texas – San Antonio as the Executive Director of Health and Counseling, while also teaching at Trinity University, Our Lady of the Lake University and Saint Mary’s University.

During her career, Dr. Stanczak enjoyed volunteering at organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief, contributing her skills as a mental health provider. She was also relied upon to provide insight to newspaper articles and television interviews for various subjects of expertise.

In 2014, Dr. Stanczak began working at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center as the Chief of Mental Health Services followed by other leadership roles within the department. During her tenure at the facility, she worked with veterans with various mental health needs including residents in the Community Living Center and those in need of emergent mental health services. She focused on providing quality veteran care, her number one priority.

“I have truly enjoyed working with patients to help navigate their mental health issues and achieve their healthcare goals,” said Dr. Stanczak. “I am most proud of mentoring young psychologists who are beginning their professional journeys.”