Diana McMenemy Deacon
2456 River Look Drive Augusta,GA
Summary
Dynamic and motivated Blind Rehabilitation Specialist who is skilled with creative problem solving and at building relationships with employees across all levels of the organization, managing tasks and projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Adaptable and transformational leader who is team oriented and skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions to overcome challenges.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Augusta, GA
08.2019 - Current
- As Acting Chief: responsible for running Augusta Blind Rehabilitation Center (ABRC) unit efficiently,
- Presided over Morning Huddles in the absence of the BRC Chief, Responded to needs and concerns of the BRC staff, Performed the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised.
- As Acting Supervisor: ran daily huddles with BRC Chief,
- Operated the Daily Management Board, Participated in Enterprise Huddles, Chief of Staff and National Program Office meetings, Provided consultation and guidance to BRC Team Members, Provided advice and counseling to staff relative to work and administrative matters. Assisted with other duties assigned by BRC Service Chief.
- Collaborated with Infection Control Covid-19 Task Force to review and address procedures to safely reopen Blind Rehab. Unit for inpatient staff and outpatient services,
- For the last four years, worked closely with the admission coordinator to expand knowledge of the admission process for both virtual and inpatient referrals. During this time, worked in conjunction with admission coordinator to perform the duties of both inpatient and outpatient admission coordination. During this time demonstrated the ability to be flexible and pivot with changes to that are a part of admission, to ensure a smoother process. When the Admission Coordinator is needed for other duties, is able to step into any part of admission coordination independently to ensure veterans are being admitted to either telehealth training or inpatient admission.
- Member of the BRC Admission Team. Processed telehealth referrals and consults in CPRS and BR5.1 data base within admissions guidelines established by National Program Office.
- Maintained Blind Rehab. Telehealth Projection sheet, assigned telehealth referrals to BRC instructors, assisted with data collection for wellness calls / telehealth data
- Processed VIST inpatient referrals and consults in BR 5.1 and Inter facility Consults (IFC) in CPRS.
- Alerted ABRC Medical provider of upcoming medical reviews needed to start the inpatient referral process. Contact Veteran to inform them of the inpatient process.
- Once Medical review is completed by Medical provider, called veterans to review the results of findings and assist and advise veterans of the next steps, contacted VIST with findings to assist veteran will securing paperwork needed to continue with admission process. If accepted, call veteran to scheduled admission and coordinate required testing needed as dictated by hospital and beneficiary travel if needed
- Send out pre-admission packets to all veteran who are approved for inpatient training
- Attend all staffings to assist with discharge dates of inpatient veterans and arrange beneficiary travel home- care or flight if applicable
- Maintain Medical Review Spread sheet and send updates to ABRC Medical provider to assist with extended medical reviews.
- Participate in the Screening meetings to discuss medical reviews with team of potential inpatient applications. During this meeting, nursing, medical provider, admission team and Chief of ABRC discuss status of patients medical review and make decisions to admit or cancel referral depending if application is complete or incomplete.
- Is VHA Black Belt trained, currently working on developing a Black Belt Project to Streamline Inpatient Admission Process. This project is aligned with the KPI’s set from the National Program Office and CNVAMC who wants to see bed capacity maintained 80% or greater. The goal of this project is to decrease cancelation and withdrawals from 39% to 25% for FY24
- prepare referral audits for leadership team
- Presented to Hospital Leadership and SOAR (Chief of Staff) and Budget Briefings
- Maintained contact with VIST coordinators regarding veteran referred to BRC VVC program or for inpatient referrals, providing warm hand off from BRC VVC training back to care of VIST
- Cross trained with ABRC VIST Coordinator to learn the VIST review process in BR 5.1 and understand service connection eligibility for veterans
- Designated as a VA purchase card holder for the BRC.
- Prepared patients for self-management and decision-making responsibilities.
- Prepared documentation for upcoming online CARF Accreditation Survey
- Managed caseload of multiple cases on consistent basis.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new Telehealth opportunities and trainings.
- Developed first of its kind nationally recognized online self-care Diabetes Education group for Veterans within the VISN 7 catchment area.
- Expanded this online module to other VISN's to include 6,8,9 and 20 and other facilities across the country
- Presented findings of Yellow Belt Project and Green Belt Project to Hospital Pentad about success of online Diabetes Education Group.
- Completed Green Belt training in January 2021 and completed GB project June 2021 which was to expand include 4 VISNS and 18 facilities and sustain Virtual Diabetes Project. Data for the group has shown a direct correlation between participation in the group and a decrease in Hgb A1c. With the impact of potentially decreasing the risk of hospital admission and complications. The data from this project showed a 60% reduction of Hgb A1c level of Veteran before and after reported results, and 20% participation reduction of HGB A1C below 10 from pre HGB A1C above 10, of Veteran’s with reported post results. This project return on investment (ROI) generated $$228,557.40 vera dollars for the hospital and saved the hospital $12,523.60 in travel cost.
- Networked with other service lines within the CNVMAC, when putting together the Diabetes education group, she reached out to other blind rehabilitation specialist, whole health, recreation, the move program, diabetes nutritionist and rehabilitation program to put together training modules for the virtual diabetes group. She worked with Public Relations to develop a marketing tool for this group to the stake holders who could benefit from participation in this virtual group during the COVID -19 pandemic.
- Participated and completed Human Centered Deign Training is currently a member of the CLC Falls Group
- Mentors two Yellow Belt’s with completing their Yellow Belt Projects. meetings with mentees once a week either in person if applicable, email or on Team, providing guidance with completing their A3 project
- Provided Sigma Lean White Belt training to new employees in New Employee Orientation and continues to provide this training once a month for Systems Redesign Team
- Organized and carried out continual education and development of staff.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to plan rehabilitation programs.
- Managed load of multiple cases on consistent basis.
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths.
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
West Palm Beach, FL
07.2015 - 08.2019
- Provided case management to veterans who were admitted to blind rehab. program.
- Functioned as a Care Manager for Veterans assigned to me during their admission at the Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC)
- Facilitate family training for the Veterans and their family prior to their discharge.
- Coordinated the team meeting the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC)
- Organized and carried out continual education and development of staff.
- Established long and short-term goals for blind rehabilitation services to encourage patient progress.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to plan rehabilitation programs.
- Performed chart reviews in CPRS to monitor management of health data and care plan coding.
- Participated and ran Living Skills and O&M skill area meetings
- Designated as a VA purchase card holder for the BRC.
- Maintained concise notes using CPRS.
- Managed time effectively to provide excellent inpatient care to the Veterans served on the unit,
- Cross trained in most areas of the blind rehabilitation unit to provide coverage when needed to ensure continuation of training for veteran.
- Participated in CARF survey to ensure blind rehabilitation unit received three year accreditation
- Member of the Blind Rehab Centers Healthy Living with Diabetes Educational Grant Program. In 2016, the BRC Grant Group was nominated for 51st annual Federal Employee of the Year Program.
Coordinator for Students With Visual Impairments
State of Florida Department of Education
Saint Augustine, FL
04.2004 - 07.2015
- Provided training to colleagues on changes to the federal and state special education law
- Wrote and presented documents for Individual Education Plan conferences.
- Worked with students with specialized needs to accomplish tasks and build practical skills.
- Established and communicated clear objectives for lessons, units and projects to students and parents.
- Collaborated with conventional education instructors across multiple departments to optimize student learning.
- Advised parents, administrators, educators, and other school personnel on the design and provision of safe environments for students with disabilities
- Problem solved with key school personnel to develop appropriate curriculum, and make informed decisions about performance standards, instructional strategies and instructional materials
- Conducted student assessments in collaboration with Local Assistive Technology Specialist(s) to identify individualized assistive technology needs of student to gain access to curriculum
- Designed and conducted implement customized professional development/trainings for school district personnel for professional development as required to meet state guidelines for Assistive Technology (AT), Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
- Attended and participated in meetings of various community-based, educational, and governmental agencies
- Provided technical assistance in the collection, analysis and reporting of data to determine programmatic effectiveness and success
- Provided on-going, statewide technical assistance, support and training at the district's request
- Maintained pristine records and case notes
- Collaborated with other specialized consultants to provide quality services to students throughout the State of Florida
- Compiled comprehensive reports to demonstrate student achievements, personnel competence, and overall evaluation of programmatic efforts
- Mentored student interns new to the field of blind rehabilitation.
Education
Master of Arts - Blind Rehabilitation
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIBachelor of Arts - Art History And German Studies
University Of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OHSkills
- Coaching individuals to success
- Encourages staff to be self-aware of their strengths
- Culturally Sensitive
- Team Oriented
- Case Management
- Budgeting
- Black Belt Trained
- Green Belt Certified
- Yellow Belt Certified
- White Belt Certified
- Knowledgeable of Rehabilitation Services
- Excellent Time Management Skills
- Financial Management
- Excellent Communication Skills
- ACVREP Certified in Orientation and Mobility
- Experienced with Complex Problem-Solving
- Excellent People skills
- Data Collection
- Public Speaking
- Flexible
- Proficient with MS Office-outlook, word, excel, access
- CPR and AED Certified
- Certified Telehealth Practitioner
Affiliations
- Diffusion of Excellent Award from Charlie Norwood VAMC for Virtual Diabetes Group August 2021
- Received recognition from Charlie Norwood VAMC Employee Recognition for completion of Green Belt Project ,June 2021
- Received Recognition from Charlie Norwood VAMC Employee Recognition for completion of Yellow Belt Project, May 2021
- Nominee for 51st Federal Employee of the Year, 2016
Certification
- Green Belt Certified- Project: Expand Telehealth Training(VVC) for Living Practically with Diabetes and Visual Impairments to other VA Facilities and VISN’s
- Yellow Belt Certified- Project: Establish Telehealth Training (VVC) Living Practically with Diabetes and Visual Impairments
- White Belt Certified
- Academy of Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
Presentations
- Exploring New Territories from Static to Dynamic: iOS Apps for Communication, ATIA, January 2015 Orlando, FL
- Universal Design for Learning for Low Incidence Populations-CSUN March 2014 San Diego CA
- Exploring New Territories with iOS Accessibility and Low Incidence Populations- ATIA January 2014 Orlando, FL
- Universal Design for Learning for Low Incidence Populations- ATIA January 2014 Orlando, FL
Timeline
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
08.2019 - Current
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
07.2015 - 08.2019
Coordinator for Students With Visual Impairments
State of Florida Department of Education
04.2004 - 07.2015
Master of Arts - Blind Rehabilitation
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts - Art History And German Studies
University Of Cincinnati
- Green Belt Certified- Project: Expand Telehealth Training(VVC) for Living Practically with Diabetes and Visual Impairments to other VA Facilities and VISN’s
- Yellow Belt Certified- Project: Establish Telehealth Training (VVC) Living Practically with Diabetes and Visual Impairments
- White Belt Certified
- Academy of Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
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