Charlene S. Ehret

Charlene Ehret, director of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, said that providing community level access to services is a key element to the VA's future.

"When you need it, you don't want to be driving an hour or so to get to the big hospital in Johnson City," Ehret said.

Several VA officials will speak at the event, including VAMC Director Charlene Ehret.

The keynote speaker for the event was Charlene Ehret, director of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Dedicated to the veterans of America, Ehret joined the Veterans Administration in 1972. She was appointed medical center director of the VA Medical Center at Mountain Home in July 2006. Ehret said that working with the veterans is something she loves and considers an honor.

"I am privileged to serve these ordinary citizens who have served our country in extraordinary ways," Ehret said.

Ehret spoke of the sacrifices made by America's veterans and named several of the VA's patients and the contributions they have made in ensuring the continuation of liberty. She said that though these men and women do not seek praise for what they do they deserve compassion and respect from everyone. "We and our children must never forget them and what their extraordinary service means."

She also asked the audience not to forget to keep the soldiers who are still serving in their thoughts.

"Even as we honor (the veterans') sacrifices here today their successors are continuing to defend our freedom at home and abroad," Ehret said.

First District Congressman David Davis, Tennessee Commissioner of Veterans Affairs John A. Keys, Charlene S. Ehret, director of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, joined a standing room only crowd of area veterans at an April 11 opening ceremony for the Morristown facility.
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"If you were to take a snapshot of our future you would see a much more efficient, patient centered health care system," Ehret said, "One of the most important elements in developing our future is to provide community level access to our services."

She noted the VA has been providing health care at the local level, through contractual arrangements with private sector health care providers, but the Morristown facility is the first of several VA facilities to to open in the region.

The clinics will not only make healthcare more accessible to veterans but will reduce some of the work load at the Quillen facility, Ehret said.

"As I was talking to some of you today or when I talk to patients on the main campus I hear the same comments about how you had to get up early and drive a long way and had to drive around to search for parking.With clinics like this, hopefully, we will make care more convenient and relieve some of the pressures or delayed waiting times and provide better access to all of you," the director told the crowd, consisting primarily of veterans.

Ehret said the clinics have a mission to provide "the right service at the right time in the right place" by giving veterans access to primary health care when they need it in a convenient location.

"Veterans Day is set aside to honor all the men and women of the military who have committed their lives to maintaining our freedom," said Charlene Ehret, director of VAMC.

Congressman-elect Phil Roe spoke at the event along with VAMC Director Charlene Ehret.