VA Maryland Health Care System Receives Performance Achievement Carey Award
The VA Maryland Health Care System won the Robert W. Carey Performance Achievement Award for its excellent performance in patient care, patient satisfaction, quality, safety and business practices.
Baltimore, MD (Vocus) November 22, 2009
At the 18th Annual Robert W. Carey Awards for Performance Excellence held Oct. 30 at the Liaison Hotel in Washington D. C., the Honorable W. Scott Gould, deputy secretary of Veteran Affairs, presented Dennis H. Smith, director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, with a Performance Achievement Award. The VA Maryland Health Care System won the Performance Achievement Award for its excellent performance in patient care, patient satisfaction, quality, safety, and business practices.
“We are thrilled that the VA Maryland Health Care System—one of the largest, most complex facilities in the VA system? has been recognized for its excellent performance in a number of areas,” Smith said. “Our employees seek to improve access to care for patients, to develop a culture of quality and to enhance the environment of patient care.”
Named for the late Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ Robert W. Carey, who served as director of the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center in PA, and who was recognized as a quality leader and champion of excellence in the Federal Government, the Performance Awards are presented annually. They recognize Department organizations that have demonstrated noteworthy performance levels in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement analysis and knowledge management; workforce resource focus; process management and results. The award adheres to the Malcolm Baldrige National Award criteria, a model that allows organizations to assess and compare their efforts toward achieving quality in customer service and satisfaction. The awards are divided into four categories: Trophy Winners, Performance Excellence, Performance Achievement, and Circle of Excellence.
“We are also proud of our active affiliation with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other leading academic institutions across the nation.” Smith added. “More than 1,600 residents, interns, and students from various disciplines are trained throughout our health system annually.”
Also recognized with Performance Achievement Awards include Camp Nelson National in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Central Texas Veterans Health Care System in Temple, Texas; and the VA health care systems in Fayetteville, Arkansas and in Washington D. C.
The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to veterans at two medical centers, one rehabilitation & extended care center and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 veterans from various generations receive care from VAHMCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, VAHMCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in veterans’ health care, research and education. It costs nothing for Veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a Veteran can do. For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment or how to apply for a VA medical care hardship to avoid future copayments for VA health care, interested Veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324 or visit www. maryland. va. gov.
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