Valentina Shekoni

Ms. Shekoni has been an employee of the MEDVAMC since 2008 but with HBPC since 11/2009. She has transition well into her new role, demonstrated flexibility by volunteering for additional duties. For example, Ms. Shekoni was one of the individuals that volunteered to conduct monthly contract nursing inspections when the employee assigned to that program was out on extended leave. Additionally, Ms. Shekoni also volunteered to assist the CBHC program with referral of Veterans to outside community home health agencies for services such as skilled nursing care, hospice, homemaker/home health aide, physical therapy, etc.

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is primary care delivered in the Veteran’s home and the Lufkin program was implemented as part of the VHA rural health initiative. Lufkin clinic is approximately 2-3hours (each direction) drive from the Houston VA. In addition, Ms. Shekoni has additional driving time to the Veteran’s home which are impacted by road conditions (uneven or unpaved road), difficult to find addresses due to obscure or lack of signage. Despite these challenges, Ms. Shekoni has continued to maintain positive attitudes.

Ms. Shekoni travel to Lufkin is an example of exceptional teamwork, commitment and unusual effort which supports the HBPC mission of providing primary care in the homes of Veterans, thereby ensuring continuity of care, minimizing emergency room visits, hospitalization, and/or outpatient clinic visits through close monitoring in the Veteran’s own environment or hospital admissions.