Deanna Lamb, left, was recently appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee.

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, M.D. appointed local CEO Deanna Lamb (Northwest Health Services) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee on October 19.
The Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee (VRHAC) advises the Secretary on healthcare issues affecting eligible veterans residing in rural areas, evaluates current program activities and identifies barriers to providing health services. “I was honored to be appointed to the committee. As a veteran myself it’s important to help those who have served our country,” Lamb said. Lamb has served in the U.S. Army including the First Gulf War. Lamb joined the Army in 1987 after graduating from Rock Port High School in Rock Port, Missouri. Her first duty assignment was with the 44th Medical Brigade located at Ft. Benning, Georgia, as a combat medic. Her military awards include the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
The VRHAC consists of 12 appointed members and four appointed ex officio members all appointed by the Secretary of VA. Members include rural health experts in academia, rural health professionals, rural veterans and more.
Throughout her career she has been affiliated with a myriad of healthcare organizations from not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)s, not-for-profit hospitals, ability one organizations, and assisted living facilities and large for-profit hospitals operating in rural and metropolitan areas with typically large veteran populations. Lamb currently serves as the CEO of Northwest Health Services an FQHC and VA Choice Provider.
Out of nine million veterans enrolled in VA for health care, three million live in rural areas. “St. Joseph is surrounded by rural communities and this puts Northwest Health Services in a favorable position to help bring more quality care to our Veterans living in Northwest Missouri,” said Lamb.
The VRHAC will continue work toward improving health care for veterans across the United States.
Northwest Health Services is an organization of FQHC’s with locations spread over 15 counties. Northwest Health Services health centers are local, non-profit, community-owned health care providers. Northwest Health Services is located in areas where affordable and high-quality care is needed but scarce, and improves access to care for Americans regardless of their insurance status.
For more information about Northwest Health Services visit www.nwhealth-services.org.