Since January 2023, Dr. Abate has made significant strides in fighting for the rights of NAVAPD members.

Over the past 5 months, under Dr. Abate's leadership, NAVAPD and its Board of Directors have been fighting hard for the rights of its members. Among many other things, here are some of the recent actions taken on your behalf.

• Met with Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz and Honorable Donald Remy to discuss current workforce issues

• Met with D-SVAC and HVAC staffers to discuss pay issues, EHR, HR Modernization and more

• Attended a Senate Roundtable on Workforce Issues in VA where Dr. Abate presented issues facing VA physicians and dentists (pay, burnout, dissatisfaction, HR issues etc.)

• Held an All-Membership Townhall with D-SVAC and HVAC staffers

• Met with R-SVAC staffer to discuss the S10 bill and the proposed changes to physician and dentist base and market pay and pay for performance

• Established a relationship with Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to offer continuing education to NAVAPD members

• Sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee asking for increased pay for Physicians and Dentists, relocation expenses, recruitment incentives, increase money for continuing education and more

• Sent letter to Honorable Denis McDonough and USH Dr. Elnahal asking VA to uphold Physician Led Anesthesia Care

• Signatory on a letter for Friends of VA to support increase in funding for VA prosthetic research

• Signatory on a letter to VA and members of Congress to reject cuts to Non-Defense Discretionary funding

• Asked by R-SVAC staffers to review Senate Bill S1315 and provide input

We’re grateful to our members and want to support you any way we can. If there is an issue you would like to bring up to our Board of Directors, please reference our Regional Chapters page for the Board Member in your area.