Dr. Staci Williams is now officially the director of the V.A. Illiana Health Care system in Danville. She told Linda Bolton on 1490 WDAN’s News Makers program that she literally fell in love with Danville, because of the welcome she received while being interim director.
AUDIO: It’s the hellos in the morning when you hit the gas station for a cup of coffee, it’s the “you look new, do you need help finding this place or that place?” You know, the restaurant recommendations, you name it. This community has embraced me with open arms.
Dr. Williams says, while decades ago the Danville V.A. Medical Center was known for treating, perhaps for than anything, World War II Veterans; today, the area’s number one employer is treating so many younger Veterans, especially women. And that means, some developmental changes, most of them simple common sense, have taken place over the years.
AUDIO: One of the key things that we’ve really worked hard on here is assuring that we have providers that are specially trained in women’s health. So we have those providers not only here but also at our main Danville campus, but we also have them at our community based outpatient clinics. We’re giving them additional training, training that focuses on women’s needs specifically.
Also on the program was new Danville V.A. Illiana Health Care System Chief of Staff Dr. Vas Naidu. No surprise that he says a big concern right now, is COVID-19. That goes for the physical and mental health of patients, as well as staff.
AUDIO: From time to time we’ll have some challenges with staffing. But everybody has held together very well here, trying to provide the kind of care and support for staff, so that their mental health is also taken care of.
Both Dr. Williams and Dr. Naidu were permanently appointed to their positions this past Sunday, December 19th.
