Problems at Veterans Administration health facilities have been in the news. But a recent report generated by VA Secretary David Shulkin gave high marks to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, with clinics in Rhinelander and Ironwood.
Center Public Affairs Officer Brad Nelson says 14 facilities in the U.S. were given one star, the lowest rating.
But Nelson says their facility is ranked 7th in the nation in quality and came through as a five-star facility....
"....one of the keys to that is our workforce. We have an engaged workforce. We are ranked 8th among all VA facilities.....eighth best place to work..."
The medical center and outpatient clinics serve 20,000 area veterans.
Nelson says even though the facility was built shortly after World War II, the VA reported they have good facilities...
"....we have been very good stewards of the government's money and we've been ahead of schedule(remodeling). As Mr. Rice likes to say, 'even though we're 66 years old, when you walk in it doesn't look like a medical center from the 1940's.'..it has state-of the art equipment, it has a modern design and remodel...."
Jim Rice is Medical Center Director.
Nelson says it was one of the first 39 VA facilities to offer same day service for more urgent primary care and mental health needs of veterans.
The facility covers 24 counties in Michigan and Wisconsin.
