West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center volunteer Patricia Jackson Kelly began volunteering after a 26-year military career spanning the Navy, Air Force and Army, where she served as the Women’s Veterans Program Manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Her military career included both a non-commissioned officer and an officer period.
She said she got her associate’s degree in the Navy and started as an active duty nurse while working on her bachelor’s degree. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree and learning that there were no female pilots in the Navy at the time, she served active duty in the Air Force before joining the Air Force Reserve, and upon learning that there were female pilots in the Army, transitioned to the Army Reserve. did. To complete her military service, she moved to a base near where she lived.
During her time in the VA, she said she was a nurse manager in a substance abuse unit and also spent a short time in the human resources office before becoming the women veterans program manager.
As Women Veterans Program Manager, she oversaw many changes, including the addition of women’s products to the hospital cafeteria (store) and increased privacy measures in areas such as the mammogram unit.
Jackson-Kelly sees her volunteer work as just a formality of the work she already did in her role as a women’s veterans program manager, something she continued after leaving the VA. She said it was a natural extension of her efforts.
“Patricia has been very supportive since I’ve been here. She always shows up and never shows up empty handed,” said Pamela Keith, Service Chief for Community Development and Civic Engagement. “She is always happy to do what you ask. It’s great to have such a loyal volunteer who always has a smile on her face. Veteran volunteers are great because they understand the needs and mission of veterans. ”
Jackson-Kelly’s time in Virginia has allowed her to serve in a variety of roles, including serving as an auxiliary at the American Legion Jackie Robinson Post 252, serving coffee and snacks once a week, and continuing to He said he had been receiving calls from veterans. They needed help in many ways, including burial and homelessness. She also continued to support women veterans in the patient experience room.
She said her favorite volunteer opportunities are meeting with female veterans and veterans in the quarters. Many women veterans leave the military with problems, and we can connect them with other women veterans to help build a support network.
“Just connecting with them and seeing their generosity with the help they’ve been given makes me feel like I can do things as a volunteer that I couldn’t do as an employee,” Jackson-Kelly said.
She also appreciates the opportunity to advocate for women veterans.
In addition to volunteering as a veteran, she also served as president of the National Black Women Military Association. She is currently waiting to receive a medal awarded during her stay for testifying twice before Congress on the Women Veterans Health Program Act of 1992.
Jackson-Kelly has recently taken on more responsibility as a volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I was recently appointed to represent West Los Angeles, so I’ve been trying to recruit,” she said. “I tell them it’s a great opportunity to get to know our veterans and be able to help them. I see how much they appreciate just offering a cup of coffee. I’m grateful, too.”
For more information about volunteering with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and working with other great volunteers like Jackson Kelly, visit www.va.gov/greater-los-angeles-health-care/work- See with-us/. Volunteer or Donate/Better Healthcare in Los Angeles | Veterans Affairs
