On this week’s episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we turn our attention to the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. We hear from system leadership about a recent high-level visit, welcome a new senior nurse executive with deep military roots, and get clarification on the Veterans Health Administration’s 80th anniversary along with updates on ongoing outreach.

Guests:

• Pat Kelly – Director, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
• Jana Nohrenberg – Associate Director for Patient Care Services and Nurse Executive, Minneapolis VA Health Care System (Retired Army Colonel, U.S. Army Nurse Corps)
• Melanie Nelson – Public Affairs Officer, Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Director Pat Kelly discusses VA Secretary Doug Collins’ third visit to Minnesota, including a stop at the Lyle C. Pearson Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Mankato. The conversation covers the Secretary’s focus on hearing directly from staff and Veteran leaders, priority issues already moving forward such as access for state Veterans homes and simplifying community care, and the continuing importance of Community Based Outpatient Clinics in bringing specialty services closer to where Veterans live.

The middle segments feature Jana Nohrenberg, the Minneapolis VA’s new Associate Director for Patient Care Services and Nurse Executive. She shares her path into nursing, an unexpected journey into Army ROTC, 28 years of service that culminated in retirement as a Colonel, and her decision to continue serving Veterans at the VA. Listeners will hear how her experience as a critical care nurse, chief nursing officer at Landstuhl, and nursing faculty member informs her dual role overseeing nursing practice and key patient care services.

In the final segment, Melanie Nelson provides important context around the Veterans Health Administration’s 80th anniversary, distinguishing it from the much longer history of VA care that stretches back to the Revolutionary War and Civil War eras. She also shares how the outreach team continues connecting with Veterans across the catchment area this summer, including Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair.

Through new leadership and sustained outreach, the Minneapolis VA remains focused on meeting Veterans where they are and delivering the care they have earned.