Season’s Greetings, from NAVAPD President Abate

Dear NAVAPD Members,

As the holiday season winds to a close, and we begin a new year, the NAVAPD board and I want to thank you for the hard work done by each of our member physicians, dentists, and podiatrists.   We thank you for you unwavering dedication to providing healthcare to our nation’s deserving veterans. 

The board and I understand that the VA is facing major changes in the next few weeks with the change in administration, and there is uncertainty as to what will happen with the current state of veterans’ healthcare.   I understand that your struggles, concerns, and challenges may seem insurmountable and now may seem ever more daunting as we approach January 20th.

I hear and share your concerns. In this past year, NAVAPD made progress in improving conditions for our physician, dentist, and podiatrist members by bringing your concerns directly to those in Congress.  We have had two well attended membership townhalls with the SVAC and HVAC staffers. I have met with the SVAC committee members to address concerns with the CERNER Oracle project.

It is the intention of the NAVAPD Board to continue these direct face to face meetings to address the concerns of you, our members.  As we move into the new year, I also want to keep you informed of processes in the VA so that you may advocate for yourself to your own medical center leadership. To this end, we are going to be holding and all membership townhall where we will present information you can use as soon as your return to work.  You may pre-register for this meeting here.  I also ask that you please spread the word to your colleagues.   

As we look back on 2024 and into 2025, please take a moment to review the efforts NAVAPD has made on your behalf by visiting our website www.navapd.org.  

I wish each of you a happy, healthy, safe holiday season full of Love, Joy and Light.

Joseph T. Abate, DMD

President, NAVAPD