MARTINSBURG — Recently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs honored Kirby Anderson and Andrew Frye, of the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, with the Veterans Health Administration National HeRO Award for their contributions to VHA’s Journey to High Reliability.
“VHA’s enterprise-wide Journey to High Reliability aims to continuously improve its processes by maximizing patient safety and reducing harm to restore trust and ensure every veteran receives the high-quality care they deserve,” a release said. “The awardees were recognized for their safety efforts and process improvement initiatives to provide the best possible care to veterans every time.”
Anderson and Frye were nominated for the award after identifying a potential emergency while out in the community on a routine ambulance transport. The team noticed a car along the side of Interstate 81 with its hazard lights on. They pulled over and knew something was wrong right away.
A man was holding a 2-year-old child, who was in distress. The team immediately administered first aid, and the family was on its way, the release explained.
The awardees’ fire chief, Chief Eric Gray, said that working with Anderson and Frye is an “honor.”
“It is a humbling experience,” Gray said. “Every day, when the firefighters walk through the firehouse door, I have no doubt they will put 100% behind every call we receive, whether it’s here on campus or helping those in need out in the community.”
The release explained that the National HeRO Award is the highest level of HRO recognition available within VHA and is reserved to honor employees who advance VHA’s Journey to High Reliability through demonstration of VHA’s HRO principles in action.
Sarah Tolstyka, public affairs officer from the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, reported that this was the first time this award has been given to someone at Martinsburg VAMC.
“We are honored that they were recognized for the work that they did,” Tolstyka said. “One of the things we pride ourselves on here, especially the fire department, in particular, in this situation, is that they not only provide a huge service here to the medical center, but it truly expands out into the community that supports us.”
As one of 18 VA medical centers with fire departments in the U.S., the Martinsburg VAMC provides interfacility transport, firefighting and mutual aid to Jefferson and Berkeley counties, and it offers 911 ambulance service in the community, as well.
“Had they not been on the interfacility transport to Hagerstown, they wouldn’t have been at the right place at the right time,” Gray said.
“I am immensely proud of Mr. Anderson and Mr. Frye,” said Kenneth W. Allensworth, Martinsburg VAMC director. “These actions demonstrate our commitment not only to our veterans but to the community. Receiving a HeRO Award means our staff members have embraced High Reliability principles and practices by continuously improving our processes to ensure VHA delivers the best care possible.”
Read More: Two chosen as National HeRO Award recipients from Martinsburg VA Medical Center