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JAHVH Leadership Program Celebrates 25 Years With 8 New Graduates

Eight participants pose with their completion certificates at the Stepping with PRIDE program graduation on June 25, 2024.
(Back row, left to right): Donald Kobe, Christopher Riggs and James Pettigrew (Front row, left to right): Lashawn Autry, Wanda Ellerbe, Cecilia Gamble, Ted Koulouris, and Anastasia Lee pose with their completion certificates at the Stepping with PRIDE program graduation ceremony on June 25, 2024.

The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Education office celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Positive Results in Diversity Enhancement leadership program on June 25, 2024.

In a quarter of a century, 238 members of our staff have graduated from the PRIDE leadership program resulting in countless opportunities and immeasurable impact including over 40 workgroup facility projects, more than 129 promotions and 52 transfers to other federal agencies.

The PRIDE program was developed as a diversity initiative by Dr. Inez Joseph, former Community Living Center director, in 1999 and managed by Sheila Brewington and Michael Benning from the Equal Employee Opportunity office until adopted by Veteran Integrated Service Network 8 in 2007. PRIDE is about growing leaders toward a High Reliability and learning organization through personalized developmental and educational experiences that increase self-development skills, productivity, employee satisfaction and engagement.

“The PRIDE program is great for employees because they get to work on interdisciplinary projects that cultivates growing a network with services and employees throughout the hospital,” said class of 2006 alum Barbara Donahue, health systems specialist to the deputy director. “It allows for career growth within the VA incorporating all the skills tools needed for success.”

JAHVH Executive Director David Dunning and Dr. Brenda Webb-Johnson, designated learning officer welcomed eight participants during a face-to-face orientation. The class of separated into two project teams aligned with the Tampa Triangle priorities to develop leadership competencies based on the Leadership Development Framework. Both project teams presented on New Veteran Orientation and Improving Spinal Cord Injury Entrance Congestion highlighting their team’s accomplishments and recommendations using the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control process. The teams also met with an assigned mentor who assisted with their Personal Development Plan, specific competency goals and discussed assignments and the project during their leadership journey.

The class of 2024 graduates are:

  • Lashawn Autry, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Service
  • Wanda Ellerbe, Advance Medical Support Assistant, Home-Based Primary Care
  • Cecilia Gamble, Medical Support Assistant, Health Administration Service
  • Donald Kobe, Advance Medical Support Assistant, HAS
  • Ted Koulouris, Accounting Technician, Fiscal Service 
  • Anastasia Lee, Program Support Assistant, Social Work 
  • James Pettigrew, Medical Support Assistant, HAS 
  • Christopher Riggs, Medical Support Assistant, HAS

As we reflect on the impact of the past 25 years and celebrate the contributions of all those who have been part of the journey, we’re also looking ahead. We look forward to the next 25 years working together to advance the practice and study of leadership for an inclusive and thriving future.

 

Op-Ed by Eunita Wright, Education Office Training Specialist