EXECUTIVE IN CHARGELETTER FROM THE VHA

LETTER FROM THE VHA EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE

In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), our employees are not only our most valuable resource, they are essential to our mission of caring for our Nation’s Veterans.

Every day, approximately 350,000 loyal and dedicated VHA employees provide essential health care services to more than 9 million of our Nation’s Veterans. Employing the best people with outstanding skills and abilities is critical to successfully delivering exceptional patient-centered health care in the largest integrated health care system in the United States. VHA provides care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care, such as community-based outpatient clinics.

The fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 VHA Workforce and Succession Strategic Plan identifies unique workforce planning and analysis to address potential workforce gaps and challenges and ensure VHA has the finest workforce ready to meet the changing needs of Veterans in our country. This plan is the culmination of input from VA medical centers (VAMC), Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN), and VHA program offices. It is anchored to the VA strategic goals and VHA priorities of customer service, full implementation of the VA Mission Act, modernization of the electronic health record, and business systems transformation. Each of these priorities supports and sustains both the VHA workforce and the Veterans we serve.

I encourage all VHA leaders and staff throughout the organization to familiarize themselves with the contents of this plan and to use it to aid in guiding local strategic planning and decision making. Attention to these workforce priorities and the diligent implementation of the goals and strategies in this plan will result in positive and enduring outcomes for VHA. An electronic version of this document is available on the VHA National Workforce Planning SharePoint site.1

By proactively and creatively addressing potential workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention, employee development and competency gaps, succession planning, and workforce engagement, we will position VHA to continue to deliver world-class health care to those who have borne the battle and served our Nation proudly.

My sincere thanks to the employees of VHA for your daily commitment to serving our Nation’s Veterans and making VHA a great place to work!

Richard A. Stone, M.D. VHA Executive in Charge