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Veterans Affairs Leaders Honored with Presidential Rank Awards
Neil C. Evans, a prominent technology leader at the Veterans Affairs Department, expressed his surprise upon receiving a presidential rank award, recognizing his accomplishments among the top 236 senior government executives. What made the moment even more remarkable for Evans was discovering that a close friend, Jason Hafemeister from the Department of Agriculture, was the first name listed alongside his. The coincidence of both being honored in different departments added a personal touch to an already impressive recognition.
The recent class of the Presidential Rank Awards (PRA) celebrated senior leaders from 30 federal agencies, underscoring the significance of their contributions to public service. Among the awardees, ten individuals represented the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), showcasing the profound impact that dedicated federal employees can have on the lives of veterans.
Evans’s journey at the VA began as a primary care physician, a role he cherishes, having even continued to treat some patients he first encountered over two decades ago. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected to frontline care while also shaping organizational strategies as a senior leader. Currently, he serves as the acting program executive director for electronic health record modernization, a crucial initiative designed to enhance the sharing of health records between the VA and the Department of Defense, which has faced its share of challenges.
Within his portfolio, Evans oversees the Connected Care program, which leverages digital technology to improve healthcare delivery to veterans. He noted a 13% rise in telehealth usage during 2024, translating to over 2 million veterans receiving care at home and a striking 10.5 million video health appointments.
“We have a very large healthcare system. Our mission is to connect providers with veterans to deliver accessible, trustworthy, and high-quality care,” Evans stated enthusiastically, reflecting on the importance of modern healthcare systems in fulfilling veterans’ needs.
Phillip W. Christy, another recipient of the PRA from the VA, is known for his thoughtful accountability practice of bringing coffee and donuts to meetings if he arrives late, a habit rooted in his military experience. His commitment to serving veterans is deeply personal, as Christy sees his role as an extension of his military service to help fellow veterans adjust to civilian life. As the deputy executive director in the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing how the VA procures equipment and services, contributing to programs like the Community Care initiative that provides healthcare to 2.8 million veterans through non-VA providers.
“Helping to establish a healthcare system is a significant achievement that I can proudly share,” he remarked, illustrating the importance of his work for veterans.
Brianne Boyd Ogilvie connects with the VA mission on a personal level, having experienced the effects of military service through her husband’s deployment while attending law school. She now serves as the assistant deputy undersecretary for Policy and Oversight, overseeing various veteran benefits. Her recognition stemmed from her contributions to implementing the 2017 Appeals Modernization Act, dramatically improving the claims process for veterans who had faced lengthy wait times for appeal decisions.
“Hearing from attorneys about the positive changes in the appeals process reinforces how our work genuinely makes a difference,” she affirmed.
Lisa M. Pape
Lisa M. Pape’s aspiration to become a social worker began in her youth and was cemented by an impactful internship at a VA psychiatric unit. Starting as a clinical social worker, she worked her way up through various leadership roles and now serves as a senior advisor to the deputy undersecretary of Health. Pape’s most significant achievement came from her involvement in instituting a housing first policy, which made substantial strides in reducing veteran homelessness.
Thanks to this approach, which prioritizes providing housing before addressing health issues, the VA reported a 55.6% decrease in veteran homelessness since 2010. Pape expressed her gratitude for being recognized for her work, highlighting her emotional connection to the mission of serving veterans in need.
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