Center of Innovation on Disability & Rehab Research (CINDRR)
Team Connect Finds Their VA Voices
Left to right: Susan Tate, Joe Battle, Chris Melillo, Jolie Haun, Wendy Hathaway, Margeaux Chavez, Jacquelyn Paykel, Marc Castellani, Stephanie Hoffman, Eudoxia Jason
In August 2017, Team Connect members Jolie Haun, Margeaux Chavez, Wendy Hathaway, and Chris Melillo represented Research Service at Tampa, Florida James A. Haley VA Hospital’s (JAHVA) inaugural VA Voices Training program. Team Connect had the opportunity to hear unique experiences that have shaped the personal and professional values of staff members from all JAHVA services. Local leadership speakers, Mr. Battle, JAHVA Director, Ms. Tate, JAH Assistant Director, Mr. VanMeter, JAH Deputy Director, and Dr. Lezama, Chief of Medical Service, shared personal stories to illustrate the power of storytelling and connecting with fellow employees on an individual level. Team Connect is committed to being VA Voices Learning Circle Leaders to support the initiative in future sessions.
VA Voices is an immersion experience developed by the National Office of Patient Centered Care. Participants gain a better understanding of our shared mission as VA employees, the importance of communication in relationships and how our relationships affect patient care. VA Voices is open to all VA employees at all levels of service and/or experience.
VA Voices training develops employee communication skills through team exercises in active listening and storytelling. The two-day in-person training offers dynamic and interactive sessions encouraging employees to reengage VA’s organizational vision, mission, and goals and to develop strategies for building trusted relationships between coworkers and the Veterans they serve. VA Voices will positively impact staff engagement, satisfaction, and team-based patient centered care.
Sign up for VA Voices and find your VA Voice too.
The next VA Voices session is February 15-16, 2018. Log into the SharePoint Education Calendar and sign-up here: SharePoint LINK FEBRUARY 15-16, 2018 (click the arrow to advance the calendar to February) Location: Hilton Garden Inn North, 13305 Tampa Oaks Blvd, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. Please contact Sonia Barroso, ext. 4340 for more information.
