Veterans' Healthy Living Winter 2015
Welcome, Director John Collins!
VA recently announced the appointment of John P. Collins as the new director of VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.
Collins brings with him over 30 years of distinguished healthcare experience in the U.S. Army, holding progressive leadership positions that include:
- Chief Operating Officer, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany;
- Commander, Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, GA;
- Brigade Commander, 62nd Medical Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; and
- Commander, Europe Regional Medical Command, Sembach, Germany.
In a September 24 Town Hall Meeting, Collins explained why this move is so important to him on a personal level. “My 82-year old Korean War Veteran father and my 30-year Army Nurse Veteran Wife both use the Worcester Clinic,” he said. “They will certainly let me know if something isn’t working for them. So far, they have nothing but great things to say about the care they receive and about the people who care for them.”
Collins added that after walking around and meeting the staff, he is impressed and knows he made the right decision in accepting the position.
“Your passion is unparalleled,” he said. “I can hardly wait to really get started. I see this position as a continuation of my time in the Army. I gained extreme satisfaction in helping my military family and knowing that now, I can continue to give back to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. There is no greater reward.”
The same day of the Town Hall meeting, Collins told WWLP Channel 22 in Springfield that he wants to focus on preventative medicine so that the Veterans here maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Having people become more responsible for their health is important, because in the long term, they’re going to be healthier individuals, and it’s going to cost all of the tax payers less money to fund us,” he said.
To make that happen, he plans to encourage nutrition and exercise, and incorporate what he learned during his time with the military healthcare system.
Dr. Michael Mayo-Smith, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 1 Director, said that Collins’ sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and the Veterans. Collins was awarded a Master of Health Care Administration from Baylor University, a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master of Science in National Resource Management from National Defense University, where he was the distinguished graduate. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives Army Regents Advisory Council.
In his new role, he will oversee a comprehensive healthcare system classified as a Complexity Level 3 facility that provides care to approximately 25,000 Veterans throughout central and western Massachusetts with an operating budget of $140+ million.
“ I look forward to meeting you and learning from you how we can work together to make VA Central Western Massachusetts the healthcare system we can all be proud of.” –Director John P. Collins
Welcome!
