overthehorizen Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Denni Woodmansee is well known to PAs throughout the nation but especially important to the 1600 PAs who work at the Department of Veteran Affairs. He is the only PA to hold a Senior Executive Service level position with the Department of Veteran Affairs. He directly influences policy makers in Washington DC at the VA Headquarters. His role is clearly to advance the interest of the PA at the Department of Veteran Affairs. As many of you have become aware, last year, Nurse Practitioners at the Department of Veteran Affairs were rewarded with blanket independent practice rights. For the uninitiated , that is Full Practice Authority. Without any testing, without any level of clinical hour achievement, the mere FNP degree won the Nurse Practitioners full independent practice within the Department of Veteran Affairs. Yet, not a word was uttered the the top man in the VA who represents the interests of PAs. Mr Woodmansee was mute and remains mute. One may wonder why he is so willing to ignore that defeat suffered by thousands of PAs at the Department of Veteran Affairs. The answer to that is with his second role as Director of the NCCPA. You might ask "so what?" Well, you have to read the lengthy requirements to be a Director at the NCCPA. I will spare you the boring details because it boils down to just one requirement. "An NCCPA Director must have an undivided allegiance to the NCCPA and its mission." You might say again, "so what." Remember that video and statement put out by Morton Rizzo where she essentially skewers PAs by making it clear that we are not independent practitioners. So, nobody on the board, including Denni Woodmansee, can perform his duties as an NCCPA board member and be the SES Top Official representing PAs at the same time. Mr Woodmansee should have advocated as strongly as possible to win independent practice for PAs at the Department of Veteran Affairs but he did not. Thus, we lost professional advancement to NPs. There are two solutions here. Either Mr Woodmansee can resign his position at the Department of Veteran Affairs because he cannot be loyal to the PAs he is supposed to represent or he can resign his Directorship at the NCCPA because he cannot speak against the NCCPA's ban on independent practice. Please join me in asking Mr Woodmansee to make the responsible choice here. We argue about why PAs are falling behind and I have just given you a very clear explanation. You can google Mr Woodmansee at the Department of Veteran Affairs to obtain contact information or you may contact the NCCPA directly to inquire how you will be able to reach Mr Woodmansee. It is time for Woodmansee to go. Either leave the NCCPA or leave the Department of Veteran Affairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted March 20, 2017 Administrator Share Posted March 20, 2017 Since you're asking a specific individual to resign from one of two high-level positions, I think it appropriate to make sure he has an opportunity to respond in this forum if that is his choice. Can you please forward a copy of this thread URL via email to both the most appropriate NCCPA and VA email addresses you can find for Mr. Woodmansee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 20, 2017 Moderator Share Posted March 20, 2017 Spoken as merely a member of this forum - in no way does this reflect any opinion of anyone or anything but myself. I would like to see the majority of the NCCPA board loose their seats in a well attended election (are they even elected? I am sorry to say I don't know) I think the whole AAPA lack of connection to the working PA from 5-25years ago. Is now playing out in the NCCPA I for one am all for loyalty and employee retention - but when NCCPA has so blindly followed the doc's down the wrong path of recertification, and been totally lax in getting a PCP/IM CAQ, and now to find out that it is the EXACT same PA that heads the PA in the VA I say - lets start a "recall" movement for the NCCPA board who has sat idle while all this has occured. As for this one PA I would appreciate their response on this forum from this one PA........ Who is up for running for NCCPA board??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtpac Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Overthehorizon, Sounds to me like we either have a disgruntled VA PA that’s hiding behind their fruom tagline wanting to lash out at their Director or a PA who is not very well informed about not only the VA Health System, Mr. Woodmansee or but also PA politics in general. I’ve known Mr. Woodmansee for very long time and he is an extremely honorable man. I do not have the exact reference but I have read Mr. Woodmansee’s explanation to why APRN’s received Full Practice Authority in the VA while it may be perceived that the PAs did not receive those same privileges (and the word is privileges and not rights). After reading his explanation, I’m sure you’ll have a much different opinion. I suggest that you contact Mr. Woodmansee directly and he can explain it to you. If, you have an open mind to understand how the VA system functions. Thank you. John D Trimbath, PA-C, MPAS, George Washington University PA Program ‘79 Past Member AAPA Board of Directors and OAPA Board of Directors US Air Force 1969-72 Currently, Spinal Cord Injury Patient being treated at the Cleveland VA Hospital by some of the most professional PAs that have ever met, all of which have nothing but good words about Mr. Woodmansee. PS: I think if you going to make a statement about another person’s reputation I believe anyone should have the intestinal fortitude to make yourself known on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtpac Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Ventana, NCCPA board members are not elected, they are appointed. You can look at the NCC PA's website for the information and how you become a member of the board. They just recently asked for resumes for individuals interested in being on the board. They try to keep a well-balanced board by making sure that they have pH from both small practices and also large hospital practices. Also there are a few seats on the board that are set in stone because they are representatives from Physician organization's, the AAPA and PA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 21, 2017 Moderator Share Posted March 21, 2017 Ventana, NCCPA board members are not elected, they are appointed. You can look at the NCC PA's website for the information and how you become a member of the board. They just recently asked for resumes for individuals interested in being on the board. They try to keep a well-balanced board by making sure that they have pH from both small practices and also large hospital practices. Also there are a few seats on the board that are set in stone because they are representatives from Physician organization's, the AAPA and PA Wow, surprised to learn they are appointed..... personally I think that just leads to a very homogeneous board that is more content to be passive. Elections (look at AAPA) can stir the pot and really allow the management of the agency to be responsible to their general membership...... Anyone up for joing the NCCPA board??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandidorooobs Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I think it would be beneficial for everyone else to hear his explanation as well, because I don't think he's the only one that feels we are being left behind as can be seen from the FPAR report. I don't always agree with what horizon is saying, but I feel where he is coming from. Not trying to disrespects this gentleman's honor or service to this country, but I think there is a majority of new and seasoned PAs who feels there needs to be a change if we are to continue to grow and thrive as a medical profession. Unfortunately, sometimes that does include new representatives. Since these spots are(edited by mod) "not" elected then it's a tough spot as ventana said. I think sometimes those at the very top, who hold a nice spot or have great pay and autonomy can lose sight that we are In this together and that we all should want the greater good for the profession because it affects all of us. The way I see it, jobs or positions can be lost, but if the profession is in the right place, it can be easier to pick up again from a place similar to where one was than to start off somewhere new at the bottom. My knowledge of what is going on at the VA is very superficial, but what I have read and understand, is that once again our profession finds itself one rung lower than our NP colleagues. If I am somehow mistaken, I would lo to hear more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 21, 2017 Moderator Share Posted March 21, 2017 Here it is.... http://www.nccpa.net/board http://www.nccpa.net/uploads/docs/2017PADirectoratLargeBackground.pdf Who is up for the challenge to help lead NCCPA into the next phase???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas5814 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I think it boils down to serving 2 masters who both require unqualified loyalty to the job. You can't serve two masters no matter how honorable you are and policy at that level has to be pure (or as pure as it can be). To suppose someone can serve two masters with differing policies is folly. It isn't an attack on anyone's honor or integrity. You simply don't permit systems where conflict of interest is possible. The appearance of conflict of interest....is. When I hear the NCCPA is sending lobbyists to interfere with the legislative agendas of state organizations it bothers me a lot. Not that their specific interest is to screw up anyone's legislative agenda but that is the result when their lobbyists don't even try to coordinate with state leaders. NCCPA's driving force is to remain the sole certifying agency for PAs and to have certification mandated as a condition of state licensure. So they muck about in state legislation sometimes at the expense of the PAs in that state. 2 masters..... NCCPA and PAs. They just decided to look after themselves first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted March 21, 2017 Administrator Share Posted March 21, 2017 When I hear the NCCPA is sending lobbyists to interfere with the legislative agendas of state organizations it bothers me a lot. Not that their specific interest is to screw up anyone's legislative agenda but that is the result when their lobbyists don't even try to coordinate with state leaders. NCCPA's driving force is to remain the sole certifying agency for PAs and to have certification mandated as a condition of state licensure. Scott, I'd like to hear more details on this if you have specifics you can share. I suspect others would as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthehorizen Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Since you're asking a specific individual to resign from one of two high-level positions, I think it appropriate to make sure he has an opportunity to respond in this forum if that is his choice. Can you please forward a copy of this thread URL via email to both the most appropriate NCCPA and VA email addresses you can find for Mr. Woodmansee? Rev Ronin, This is a splendid idea. I don't have the contact information for Denni Woodmansee at the NCCPA or the VA. I recomend that PAs simply use the form on the NCCPA for contact and request his resignation from the board. It is most likely that some members in this forum are also members of the NCCPA board of directors and could quite easily forward the url to him. I welcome a response. He has a clear conflict of interest. Failing to resolve this conflict has harmed PAs professionally at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthehorizen Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Overthehorizon, Sounds to me like we either have a disgruntled VA PA that’s hiding behind their fruom tagline wanting to lash out at their Director or a PA who is not very well informed about not only the VA Health System, Mr. Woodmansee or but also PA politics in general. I’ve known Mr. Woodmansee for very long time and he is an extremely honorable man. I do not have the exact reference but I have read Mr. Woodmansee’s explanation to why APRN’s received Full Practice Authority in the VA while it may be perceived that the PAs did not receive those same privileges (and the word is privileges and not rights). After reading his explanation, I’m sure you’ll have a much different opinion. I suggest that you contact Mr. Woodmansee directly and he can explain it to you. If, you have an open mind to understand how the VA system functions. Thank you. John D Trimbath, PA-C, MPAS, George Washington University PA Program ‘79 Past Member AAPA Board of Directors and OAPA Board of Directors US Air Force 1969-72 Currently, Spinal Cord Injury Patient being treated at the Cleveland VA Hospital by some of the most professional PAs that have ever met, all of which have nothing but good words about Mr. Woodmansee. PS: I think if you going to make a statement about another person’s reputation I believe anyone should have the intestinal fortitude to make yourself known on this forum. It is always appreciated to hear from surrogates of the NCCPA on this forum. Additionally, PA Trimbath, your contributions to the PA History organization as a founding member are laudable. The PA History Society is a supporting organization of the NCCPA. With regard to your statement about "honor", I am willing to concede that Mr Woodmansee has had a remarkable career and has been honorable in the past. However, when one has a clear conflict of interest and that conflict leads one to harm the professional interests of thousands of PAs whom he is assigned to represent, then the question of honor becomes one for examination. On another note, thank you PA Trimble for your service to our nation. I am very pleased to hear that you have received excellent medical care at one of the 24 world class VA Spinal Cord Injury Centers. With respect to your request for abandoning anonymity here, I must point out that forums allow moderated expression of views that might otherwise suffer retaliation if privacy were not maintained. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 22, 2017 Moderator Share Posted March 22, 2017 So I hear some complaining, but who is willing to step up and lead???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 I am one of OTH's biggest foils and disagree with him mightily on some subjects. However, this is not the first time I have heard this. At this point, I'd like to know if it's true. And hear both sides of the story. Can we get some references we can read and see what is what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8404PA Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Don't forget the AAPA elections coming up. I know who I would like to vote for - there are 2 big game changers in my eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtpac Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 It is always appreciated to hear from surrogates of the NCCPA on this forum. Additionally, PA Trimbath, your contributions to the PA History organization as a founding member are laudable. The PA History Society is a supporting organization of the NCCPA. With regard to your statement about "honor", I am willing to concede that Mr Woodmansee has had a remarkable career and has been honorable in the past. However, when one has a clear conflict of interest and that conflict leads one to harm the professional interests of thousands of PAs whom he is assigned to represent, then the question of honor becomes one for examination. On another note, thank you PA Trimble for your service to our nation. I am very pleased to hear that you have received excellent medical care at one of the 24 world class VA Spinal Cord Injury Centers. With respect to your request for abandoning anonymity here, I must point out that forums allow moderated expression of views that might otherwise suffer retaliation if privacy were not maintained. OTH, Your points are well taken on anonymity, however; in that same vane, you should have referred to this individual as the Chair of the NCCPA and Director of PA Services in the VA Healthcare System, and let the readers try to find out who that individual might be. As far as a conflict of interest is concerned, I don’t necessarily agree that this individual has any more conflict of interest than does the AAPA President who is also the Executive Director of PA services for one of the largest healthcare systems outside of the VA. This person is responsible for close to 800 PAs that are working in their facility. I’ve seen more than one topic on this forum that blasts the AAPA for the directions they have been taking the profession over the years. What makes the President of the AAPA have any less conflict of interest than the Chair of the NCCPA. And this is only one example. There are many other PAs that are highly visible and extremely involved in leadership roles within the profession, as well as, being in extremely high positions of authority within their jobs. And you also have to remember that these individuals do not have the final say on any particular issue, they are merely one person on very large boards that collectively decide what direction their particular organization will proceed on any issue. And any public statement made is generally not released until the full board has had an opportunity to review it. The NCCPA chair or the AAPA Pres. just so happen to be the individual whose name is attached to the final document. In my opinion, I think you would have been better off addressing the issue rather than trying to discredit the individual. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthehorizen Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 OTH, Your points are well taken on anonymity, however; in that same vane, you should have referred to this individual as the Chair of the NCCPA and Director of PA Services in the VA Healthcare System, and let the readers try to find out who that individual might be. As far as a conflict of interest is concerned, I don’t necessarily agree that this individual has any more conflict of interest than does the AAPA President who is also the Executive Director of PA services for one of the largest healthcare systems outside of the VA. This person is responsible for close to 800 PAs that are working in their facility. I’ve seen more than one topic on this forum that blasts the AAPA for the directions they have been taking the profession over the years. What makes the President of the AAPA have any less conflict of interest than the Chair of the NCCPA. And this is only one example. There are many other PAs that are highly visible and extremely involved in leadership roles within the profession, as well as, being in extremely high positions of authority within their jobs. And you also have to remember that these individuals do not have the final say on any particular issue, they are merely one person on very large boards that collectively decide what direction their particular organization will proceed on any issue. And any public statement made is generally not released until the full board has had an opportunity to review it. The NCCPA chair or the AAPA Pres. just so happen to be the individual whose name is attached to the final document. In my opinion, I think you would have been better off addressing the issue rather than trying to discredit the individual. Take care. Some interesting points for consideration here. I thought of leaving the Head of PA services at the VA nameless but chose to name him specifically because he is a public official. If I had a disagreement with a PA who was a coworker in the hospital where I am located, it would be inappropriate to name the coworker specifically because she has an expectation of privacy. However, the law has repeatedly held that public officials have no expectation of privacy and remarks about their conduct are fair game. I deemed him a public official because Mr Woodmansee is not paid on the GS pay scale as all other PAs are compensated. He is an "Appointed Executive" and is paid on the Senior Executive Service pay scale. I would feel equally within moral ground if I criticized President Trump or Secretary of HHS by name on this site. All are appointed public officials. I think that Mr Woodmansee's influence in the VA is constrained by the requirements of his Director position. He cannot adopt positions contrary to the NCCPA. Thus, he is unable to give proper counsel to the Secretary of Department of Veteran Affairs, Dr Shulkin. It is Dr Shulkin who should demand his resignation from NCCPA or terminate him from the VA if he refuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinkingShip Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 There is a reference to people who hold back the PA profession as losers on another thread. I am bumping this thread to point out how much your sentiments have changed. When OTH write disparagingly about Denni Woodmansee for working at theVA and NCCPA (who doesn't allow any board member to advocate for independent or OTP), Denni had just counseled the Secretary of the VA to keep PAs dependent while the Secretary made all NPs independent. Apparently, someone fought back. A letter was circulated in the VA Physician Assistant Association from last November 2017. 90 days after this letter (below) reached the Secretary, Denni Woodmansee was gone. He is no longer able to harm the 1600 PAs at the VA. He was a dangerous self serving individual who sold out the PAs in the VA and after getting the axe, he left the country to do even more damage in the UK. PAs need to keep him on the run by writing letters to everyone possible in the UK in academic centers, medical centers, legislatures and any other place where he might do us harm. People, you need to get aggressive and start fighting for survival because NPs have flanked us and are about to run a spear through each of us. ==========================Copy of letter sent to Shulkin and spread through the VA PA association November 12, 2017 Dr Shulkin,I am writing to express my concern about a conflict of interest that exists with one of your subordinates who gives you counsel for management of 1600 Physician Assistants in the Department of Veteran Affairs. You are likely well acquainted with Denni Woodmansee PA-C who is the Director of Physician Assistant Services for the VA. What you may not have been told is that Mr Woodmansee is also a Board Member of the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants. That in and of itself is not a problem. However, the top leadership last year deliberated on the decision whether to make Nurse Practitioner independent at the VA. At that time, many shared public comment that the Physician Assistants also be made independent practitioners. I and most of the PAs in the VA now believe that you were mislead by guidance from Mr Woodmansee on this matter. The conflict of interest arose because Mr Woodmansee MAY NOT LEGALLY ADVISE YOU THAT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS SHOULD BE MADE INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONERS. The reason Woodmansee is enjoined from advocating for independent practice for the PA is that he signed an agreement as a Board Member which expressly prohibits any Board member from advocating for positions that the board does not support. You may not realize that the NCCPA, populated heavily by Physicians, strongly opposes independent practice for PAs. Thus, Woodmansee may not remain on the Board and advocate in favor of independent practice. I write to inquire if you were ever made aware of this conflict of interest by Mr Woodmansee and his inability to render counsel that was unbiased. If he declined to advise you in advance, he has done you a great disservice and is guilty of an ethical violation of his office. I am asking you to either require Mr Woodmansee resign his position on the NCCPA board or resign his position at the VA as Director of Physician Assistant Services. If he declines to act, the appropriate remedy for this ongoing conflict of interest is termination of Mr Woodmansee. Unless and until this conflict of interest is resolved, you will not receive proper counsel on the role of the Physician Assistant in the VA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weezianna Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 The above post was very enlightening. Mr. Woodmansee recently announced his RETIREMENT from the VA and is on his way to help set up a PA program in Ireland. As a VA employee I received that email. Regardless, he was of no help, and never responded to emails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemurcatta Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Sounds like great news that he is gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.