ACHE Leadership Development Program (LDP) cohort IX spent a day at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in August, for a site visit in collaboration with Integrated Medical Partners.

Bill Pickart, Chief Executive Officer at Integrated Medical Partners (IMP) joined the group for breakfast and then shared leadership insights and wisdom from his C-suite experience as CEO.  This was followed by an analytics demonstration by cohort member and co-host Tracy Keenan, Analytics Manager, Integrated Medical Partners.

A campus historical tour at the Zablocki VA Medical Center followed, including Milwaukee’s former historic Soldiers Home and other buildings on the grounds that will begin redevelopment in early 2019.

A working lunch covered “VA 101” with cohort member and host Brian Michalski, Health System Specialist, Milwaukee VA Medical Center.  This included an engaging discussion of views from Washington.

James D. McLain, FACHE, Deputy Director (COO) and then-Acting Medical Center Director (CEO) at the Zablocki VA Medical Center joined the group for lunch along with Christina Orr, DPT, Assistant Medical Center Director, and shared their own inspiring leadership journeys as well as leading an interactive discussion on various leadership topics.

Michael D. Erdmann, MD, MS, Chief of Staff and Associate Dean for the VA, shared insights on the Department of Veterans Affairs: Past, Present and Future.  Then before wrapping up the day as a cohort, Beth Ann Smith, Program Manager – Benefits Management, provided an overview of VA benefits, billing and insurance as well as the procurement system and related topics.

In addition to our Leadership Development Program (LDP) cohort members participating in the site visit, students mentored by our co-hosts joined the group to include Shelby Edl, Vice President and Claudette Ingold, Professional Development Chair, Future Healthcare Executives (FHE) at UW-Milwaukee.