Middle Tennessee Chapter Newsletter September 2023
Editor: COL Doug Minton, USA Retired
Upcoming MOAA Middle Tennessee Chapter Meeting
26 September 2023; 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
MTC Monthly Luncheon Meeting
“TN Valley Healthcare System”
Mr. Edward Payton
York Campus Associate Director
Old Natchez Country Club, 115 Gardengate Dr., Franklin TN 37069
A Jackson, Mississippi native, Edward Payton earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a management concentration from Morehouse College in 2009 and a Master of Health Science from the University of Mississippi in 2013. He then completed an administrative fellowship with the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) in Baltimore, MD in 2014.
Prior to joining Tennessee Valley Healthcare System as associate director for the Alvin C. York campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Mr. Payton was the chief of medical administration service (MAS) at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS). During his tenure at SLVHCS, Mr. Payton was appointed as acting associate medical center director and also served as deputy chief of MAS. Mr. Payton began his career at the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) in Baltimore, Maryland as an administrative fellow. After completing his fellowship, Mr. Payton served in various leadership roles to include senior department administrator, ambulatory and emergency care clinical center, acting group practice manager, and administrative officer of mental health clinical center.
Mr. Payton is the immediate past chair of the National VHA MAS/HAS/Business Office Chiefs group, a 2017 graduate of the VISN 5 Leadership Development Institute and a 2018 graduate of the VHA Healthcare Leadership Development Program. Mr. Payton is also an active member in the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Association of Health Service Executives.
Located in Murfreesboro, Tenn., the Alvin C. York Campus of the Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) provides a variety of medical, psychiatric, and long-term care services for veterans. As part of its offering, TVHS runs an outpatient substance abuse program that includes counseling, outpatient opiate detox, outpatient ambulatory detox for alcohol dependency, and aftercare services. While the center’s substance abuse treatment is offered on an outpatient basis, referrals for inpatient psychiatric care are provided when appropriate.
MTC President's Letter
9/1/2023
Fall is here (and so is the pumpkin spice—Yeah!). I hope September is shaping up to be a good month for everyone and their families.
Our August luncheon, which explored veterans’ benefits, was a highly enjoyable and informative affair. Former Captain Jon Foti, Chief Executive Officer of the Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation (DKGVF), was our guest speaker and we had almost forty members in attendance.
The DKGVF is based in Oklahoma and boasts an impressive $80 Million in benefits for veterans in 2022, plus a 90% claims approval success rate. The organization will be opening a branch in Nashville soon to continue its important mission of providing financial assistance, referrals management and education on Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. Jon explained the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, which is comprised of 40,000 veteran and military non-profits, 100 accredited VSOs, and fifty state accredited veterans’ organizations. He also highlighted the crucial link between an event or injury in service and a current diagnosed condition being recorded in medical records to document chronic conditions. More information about the foundation can be found at https://www.dalekgrahamveteransfoundation.org.
At our September luncheon, we will conclude our examination of the various VA administrative departments when we host Mr. Edward Payton, Associate Director of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Alvin C. York Campus. This will give chapter members an opportunity to learn first-hand about new initiatives for our area VA campuses and clinics, plus the latest PACT Act updates. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Old Natchez Trace Country Club.
Please note, for the PACT ACT, a critical deadline is nearing that chapter members, who are Post-9/11 combat veterans and served between September 11, 2001, and October 1, 2013, need to be aware of. A special VA enrollment period for these veterans, who have not previously enrolled in VA healthcare, has been extended until September 30, 2023. Please access the following link for more information: PACT Act Special Enrollment Period - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov).
Finally, the chapter has several events slated for upcoming months to honor our commitment to never stop serving the Middle Tennessee community:
Sep 22, 2023 – we will gather at OSDTN to pack food bags for veterans and their families in need. More details at the following link: https://forms.gle/DiCAD7baCsiiXhSk9
Nov 3, 2023 – chapter members will support the 13th Annual OSDTN Heroes Breakfast. Details are found at the following link, and it would be wonderful to have two chapter tables! https://forms.gle/DiCAD7baCsiiXhSk9
December 2023 – exact date and details pending for a holiday gift card distribution at OSDTN.
March 2024 – Operation Wind Down in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, a retreat for caregivers of veterans and their dependents living with dementia. Details are pending.
Please join us as we live the MOAA mission to “Never Stop Serving”!
Lt Col Karon Uzzell-Baggett, USAF (Retired)
President, MTC MOAA
CDR Ted Edwards, USN Retired; Nominated for the 2022 Col. Steve Strobridge Legislative Advocacy Award
CDR Ted Edwards, USN Retired and MTC Legislative Affairs Chair was nominated for the 2022 Col. Steve Strobridge Legislative Advocacy Award. Competition was stiff and Ted did not win, but the work he does for the chapter in this role is truly appreciated.
LT Gen Brian Kelly, MOAA President and CEO has the following to say about ed's nomination:
"While Ted was not selected for this year’s award, I want you to know how much I personally appreciate his—and your—leadership and advocacy on behalf of uniformed service members, veterans, and their family members and survivors. The Middle Tennessee Chapter has continued to contribute to increased legislative awareness and success making a difference for so many at the local, state, and federal levels. Please inform Ted of his nomination and result and relay my sincere appreciation for his work on behalf of MOAA. A certificate recognizing his achievements will be mailed to him in the near term. Thanks to you and Ted for exemplifying our mission to “Never Stop Serving.”
Yes, We Did It Again! Multiple Grants Received!
Our chapter has once again received multiple grants from the 2023 MOAA Community Outreach Grant program.
According to MOAA National, a record number of grant proposals were received and awarded this year; 42 chapters received over $90,000 in grants.
We were one of only four chapters that received two grants!
We will collaborate with Operation Stand Down Tennessee on a $2,000 grant to address military food insecurity and will collaborate with the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association Military Advisory Council on a $2,250 grant to host a dementia caregiver retreat for military spouses.
More details will be forthcoming as we begin to formalize event dates.
MTC Members Participate in Got Your 6 VetFest
MTC Celebrates Women Officers at June 2023 Meeting
MTC Celebrates Military Spouses and Surviving Spouses at May 2023 Meeting.
MTC Membership Updates
Welcome to the new members that have joined in the 2023 membership year:
