There is a great part of America where time can seem to stand still.
Where things like farming, mining, ranching,
small-town values and family traditions are a way of life.
From these back roads came millions of men and women who gave us their best
through service, sacrifice, and selfless dedication in our armed forces.
Our initiative is to give them our best by broadening the reach of our care,
building more effective, innovative teams,
being sensitive and respective of regional cultural values,
and striving to educate patients on their overall needs
as well as treating immediate therapeutic issues.
To do this we must continue to build on all that we have done.
We will increase our appreciation of the differences that exist in this great
part of America
and better create culture in which these Veterans are comfortable,
enabling us to raise the level of care they have rightfully earned through their service.
We're doing just that by placing a renewed emphasis and increased
commitment to bringing quality care to the rural regions where so many of our
Veterans live.
These Veterans served with a deep sense of pride
and so we should take genuine pride in the programs we deliver to them.
Through the Office of Rural Health Initiatives like the Rural Health
Professions Institute are enabling us to offer services that fit the unique
culture and specialized needs of our rural Veterans.
Bringing frontline VA care to the back road regions that are so important to
all of America.