Administrative Notes
Message from Executive Director Mr. Michael J. Swartz
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
On March 29. VA WNY joins the Vietnam War Commemoration to continue honoring and thanking all those who served in the Vietnam War, their families, and caregivers.
Any Service member who served on active duty, regardless of location, between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, is included in the commemoration, which lasts through Veterans Day 2025.
Approximately 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam era from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. More than 6 million are still alive.
I want to acknowledge all of America’s Veterans, their families, caregivers, survivors, and the great VA employees—many are Veterans themselves—doing incredible work every single day for all the Veterans we serve.
High Reliability Organization - HRO
One of the HRO principles is committing to a culture of safety. By sharing safety stories at the beginning of meetings, we can foster a culture where people feel encouraged to report close calls or near misses. Sharing safety stories also showcases the ingenuity and determination of our WNY VA HCS Staff! When you write your safety story, think about what you want people to learn and remember.
Public Affairs Support Requests
Reminder: Submit Public Affairs Support requests via the Leaf system. Allow for a two week turnaround time for your request to be processed.
Calling the Switchboard reminder
Please remember to identify yourself as staff when calling the Switchboard. Especially if you are calling from a cell phone we only know you are staff if you tell us. Additionally, it is very important when you need to call a Code to either call our Code phone at x22222 or say “Call a Code” to VOCERA. This allows us to address the emergency as efficiently as possible. Thank you for helping us to serve you better.
Compliance Buzz
VA WNYHS Integrity and Compliance
MANDATORY FY24 NDPP Whistleblower Training
In order to complete the whistleblower training requirement as outlined in the FY24 NDPP, HRD has teamed with the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) to schedule a series of whistleblower trainings for supervisors. Refer to postmaster messages that have been sent with dates and registration information.
Compliance focus of the month: Controlled Substance Program
Buffalo News article on VAWNY
VAWNY's construction projects were featured in the Sunday, March 24 Buffalo News.
Rec Therapy featured on "Buffalo on the Rise"
Recreation Therapist Jake Gonta appeared on WBBZ Ch. 5 MeTV "Buffalo on the Rise" to discuss the physical therapy program and services at VAWNY.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
DAISY Honoree: Dawn Tirabassi, RN
A colleague shares their story of an extraordinary nurse……
RN Tirabassi braved a snowstorm to reach the home of 90-year-old veteran, who had been unwell for several days. Upon arrival, she carefully assessed his condition and quickly recognized the severity of his illness. Without hesitation, she had him transported to the VAMC emergency. Throughout his hospitalization, RN Tirabassi remained a pillar of support for his family, keeping them well-informed every step of the way. When it became apparent that the Veterans condition was declining, she provided comfort and guidance to his devoted wife as they prepared for the difficult transition to hospice care. Despite her demanding schedule, RN Tirabassi made it a priority to visit the Veteran during his final days, ensuring that he felt the presence of someone who truly cared. Her unwavering dedication and compassionate care brought solace to a family facing a difficult time, leaving an enduring impact on all those she touched.
This WNY Healthcare System employee recognition program is an opportunity for staff members to recognize their peers that exemplify exceptional customer (internal and/or external) experience based on the National Patient Experience (PX) program Own the Moment training.
News & Notes
Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse
Western New York is in the direct path of the April 8 solar eclipse. When viewing the eclipse safety is paramount. According to NASA:
It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.
Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week 2024
March 18-22, 2024 marked LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week. This year, VHA’s LGBTQ+ Health Program raised awareness of heath care for LGBTQ+ Veterans, with the theme “Equitable. Inclusive. Respectful. The health care you deserve. VA is here to serve the Veteran you are.”
Timothy Ward and Brittany Raderman gave a presentation to VA Employees on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). This inclusive term that applies to everyone, whether they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, heterosexual or cisgender (identifying with the same gender that one was assigned at birth).
Tim and Brittany discussed how to better serve our LGBTQ+ Veterans and meet their health care needs. Thank you Tim & Brittany for
Buffalo campus window cleaning to begin April 1
Beginning on Monday, April 1, contractors will be on the Buffalo campus to begin cleaning all the windows in the building floor by floor.
Prior to the work starting on the floor, all items on windowsills will need to be removed to give contractors access to the windows to clean both the inside and outside.
It will take approximately two weeks per floor with cleaning crews expected to be on campus until mid-September.
Tentative floor by floor window cleaning schedule:
• April 1 – April 12: 10th floor
• April 15 – April 26: 9th floor
• April 29 – May 10: 8th floor
• May 13 – May 24: 7th floor
• May 27 – June 7: 6th floor
• June 10 – June 21: 5th floor
• June 24 – July 8: 4th floor
• July 9 – July 19: 3rd floor
• July 22 – August 2: 2nd floor
• August 5 - August 16: 1st floor
• August 19 – August 30: Basement and 11th floor
• September 2 – September 13: Building 20
We appreciate you cooperation.
Please note location change of Employee Health in Batavia: now in Room G06 in Building 3.
Nursing orientation Sharepoint link
Nursing orientation now has its own link to it on the WNY VHA (SharePoint) web homepage. As well as a link through Nursing Education department. An easy reference and resource for all.
Events & Training Opportunities
On Wednesday, April 3, the VA Caregiver Support is teaming up with the Parkinson's Foundation to host a tabling session in the main lobby to help people understand the complexity of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and recognize its symptoms.
Representatives will be available from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. to answer questions and provide resources to Veterans and caregivers.
Virtual NCPS Team Training Classes
Questions? Contact Sean Lindstrom at sean.lindstrom@va.gov
April Recreation Therapy Events
Tuition Reimbursement
Engagement
Spiritual Engagement from VA Chaplain Service
V-Signals Report
Reference: MCP 05-01- Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
New Integrity and Compliance (C&I) SharePoint site here
Human Resources
Hard to fill positions
Employee Whole Health
Employee Whole Health (EWH) is essential to our health and resiliency and represents a proactive model of well-being that is protective against stressors and challenges we face in our day to day lives. Learn more
Health Disease Prevention Program
Health Promotion services and contact links
Privacy Message
Integrity and Compliance (C&I) SharePoint site here
Records Management
Confidential Communications
Freedom of Information Act
Network access issues
EEO Update
Get Social with VAWNY HS
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VAWesternNY
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/vawesternny
Follow us on X: twitter.com/VAWesternNY
Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@VAWNYHCS