WES
T HAVEN, CONN. – Gerald Culliton MPA, FACHE, VA Connecticut Healthcare System Director and longtime member of The Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives recently received the 2018 American College of Healthcare Executives Uniformed Services/Veterans Affairs National Regent’s Award for leading an organization recognized for its clinical quality, research and teaching. This singular national award was presented at the American College of Healthcare Executives Annual National Congress in Chicago.
The award was presented by Robert McDivitt, director of Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 and National Regent for ACHE District Six that represents the uniformed services and VA. The Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award recognizes ACHE members who are experienced in the field and have made significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare management excellence and the achievement of ACHE’s goals.
Members are evaluated on leadership ability; innovative and creative management; executive capability in developing their own organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community; contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession; leadership in local, state or provincial hospital and health association activities; participation in civic/community activities and projects; participation in ACHE activities; and interest in assisting ACHE in achieving its objectives.
In accepting the award Culliton said, “It is an honor to serve our nation’s Veterans. And it is an honor to serve with the finest team of healthcare providers, employees and volunteers in the nation, right here in Connecticut. They deserve all the credit.”
VA Connecticut is his third assignment as director. West Haven is among the most complex VA facilities (known as 1A hospitals) in the nation. It has nine sites of care, employs over 3,000 people with a budget in excess of $600 million. Culliton began his tenure at Connecticut in 2013.
Elements considered for award selection:
- Culliton led improvements and participated in a research-to-practice project with the Center for the Promotion of Health National Institute for Occupational Safety to enhance staff safety/engagement activities. He successfully deployed over 20 best practices that were adopted by other sites.
- In 2016, under his leadership, Connecticut became the first state to virtually end homelessness among veterans. He received the VA Secretary’s ICARE Honor Award for these efforts.
- Culliton supported the enhanced medical/legal partnership program with Yale and volunteer legal professionals from across the state which provides on-site legal services to more than 1,200 veterans and has been recognized as a national VA model.
- He supports the training of more than 1,600 trainees included 186 residents in 37 specialties and associated health trainees in 24 disciplines in 2017; 10 VA advanced fellowships; expanded Marriage and Family therapists training; and started the Chaplain Pastoral Education training program to include fellows.
- Under his leadership, VA Connecticut hosts a community Poverty Simulation each year at Fairfield University that provides a day-long interactive simulation to help students and community members understand the barriers and challenges faced by those living in poverty.
- All this in addition to an award winning career as an accomplished healthcare executive and national recognition by VA and outside professional organizations.
