Patient advocates
The patient advocates at Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center are specially trained to help you resolve issues with your care. If you've experienced any problems that you haven't been able to resolve by talking with your care team, please reach out to one of our patient advocates.
Care we provide at Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center
Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center supports and promotes the Joint Commission's Speak Up™ program urging patients to take an active role in preventing health care errors by becoming an involved and informed participant on their health care team.
We ask that you:
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you still don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.
- Pay attention to the care you get. Always make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medicines by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.
- Educate yourself about your illness. Learn about the medical tests you get, and your treatment plan.
- Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (advisor or supporter).
- Know what medicines you take and why you take them. Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
- Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has been carefully checked out. For example, The Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they are meeting The Joint Commission’s quality standards.
- Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
If I have a complaint, should I talk to a patient advocate first?
- The best and fastest way to resolve a complaint, concern, or issue is directly with the person involved. If that does not work, talk with that person's supervisor, or section chief. If the issue remains or you do not feel your complaint has been properly addressed, contact a patient advocate.
What kind of issues do patient advocate handle?
- Patient advocates gather the facts, speak to everyone involved, and help resolve patient and family complaints. If you are not satisfied with your care or if there are communication issues, a patient advocate can help you.
Who can call a patient advocate?
- Patients, families, visitors, and staff may all contact a patient advocate with an issue or concern.
How can I access a patient advocate?
- Patient advocates work Monday- Friday, 7:00 am – 16:00 pm and have offices location on Main Campus. You can reach them by telephone voicemail and email group address listed above.
Connect with a patient advocate
Glenda Lindsay
Chief, Veteran Experience Office
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Nelleen Hall
Deputy Chief, Veteran Experience Office
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Vincent Boyd
Patient Representative
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Sandra Campbell
Patient Representative
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Reginald Jones
Patient Representative
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Frances Bishop
Patient Representative
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Donna Newhouse
Patient Representative
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Priscilla Marion
Patient Relations Assistant
VA Memphis health care
Phone:
Email: VHAMEMPatientAdvocacy@va.gov
Care we provide at VA Memphis health care
Our patient advocates work hard to make sure you receive the best possible care. They offer help with:
- Patient concerns with the care team
- Advocating for patient and family rights