Mr. Joe Dean

A local task force is weighing three options , said Joe Dean , a spokesman for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Dean said the hospital employs about 1 , 300 full-time health care providers and support people.

The statistics came directly from Joe Dean (another presenter) who is the assistant to the VA Director in Albuquerque, Mary Dowling.
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Joe Dean, Assistant to the Veteran's Administration Director in Albuquerque listened to the needs of the 150 vets from the area and why it is important to be able to receive medical services locally, rather than traveling to Albuquerque to the VA hospital there.He also answered questions from the audience and told the vets he was willing to take their concerns back to the VA Director.Dean said he is open to further dialog about how to get local medical services to veterans from this area, and has committed to bringing to Taos VA subject experts on the medical side and benefits side such as diabetic education, benefits specialists, etc. to help answer questions and educate local vets.

Drucker's first goal as a local liaison for Northern New Mexico veterans is to help veterans enroll in the VA system."With 78% of the total veterans in Taos County and 69% of veterans in Colfax County not currently enrolled in the VA for benefits, this is our first step," he commented.

Alluding to the presence of Joe Dean, Veterans Administration New Mexico representative, Garcia said it is the aim of the state and VA to take whatever steps necessary "to bring better service to this county."
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A disabled Vietnam vet, Dean said the purpose of the visit is to "listen to your concerns, fix what we can now, and take the rest back to Albuquerque."
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Dean said understaffing at the clinic, which services about 2,000 vets, is being addressed.The facility is authorized to carry a staff of eight full-time positions and one part-time position.At present, it is short a health technician and a social worker. A social worker is expected to be on staff by May 3, Dean said."We don't have heavy staffing anywhere," Dean said, in response to a question of whether 8 1/2 positions authorized for the clinic is adequate for the population it serves.
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Dean said it is the aim of the VA "to enhance psychiatric care statewide."
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Garcia and Dean were taken on a tour of the clinic with administrator Rebecca Kiss before attending a second meeting with veterans at the Allingham-Golding American Legion Post.

Conley said it is possible Garcia will be accompanied by Joe Dean, deputy director of the New Mexico Veterans Administration Hospital; and Ferrol Udall, representing state veterans centers.

We thank Mr. Dean for making himself available to our Veterans through this column and if you are a Veteran with a particular concern and would like to have it addressed here, we encourage you to participate.

Greetings from the New Mexico VA Health Care System!
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Joe Dean

Public Affairs Officer