Utah doctor and Oklahoma nurse receive the recognition for their care to veterans during the Washington Conference.
The American Legion presented its VA Physician and Healthcare Provider of the Year awards to a Utah doctor and Oklahoma nurse in recognition of their commitment to the highest care of America’s veterans.
Dr. Steven Allen with the George E. Whalen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and Legionnaire Patricia Mathes-Kerr with the Oklahoma VA Medical Center accepted the awards during the Legion’s Washington Conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24.
American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Jay Bowen of Colorado and VA Secretary Doug Collins presented the awards to Allen and Mathes-Kerr on stage during the Commander’s Call. In his remarks, Bowen shared that the VA Physician of the Year Award was established in 2017 when Dr. Tina Shaw, a White House Fellow, challenged the VA&R Commission to create the annual award. While meeting the challenge, the Legion also created the VA Healthcare Provider of the Year Award.
- Washington Conference