VA secretary visits KC following wave of racial discrimination complaints at hospital
During a visit to Kansas City on Thursday, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie said the department is undergoing “cultural change” and that he is bringing accountability to all levels of the VA.
His news conference at the Kansas City VA Medical Center came one day after community leaders held a news conference discussing a letter demanding action from VA leadership and two weeks after one former Black employee shared her story of experiencing racism at the hospital.
Wilkie, joined by the VA Heartland Network director Dr. William Patterson and Kansas City VA director David Isaacks, addressed numerous reported complaints of racial discrimination at the medical center.
Wilkie said he read the reports of discrimination covered in local media and wants to hear from employees who have complaints.
“Many of the things that you all have reported on will not be tolerated,” Wilkie said. He added that “one charge of discrimination is one too many.”
He said the department is emphasizing accountability and listening to employees. Isaacks, who became director of the Kansas City facility in September 2019, was a part of the changes made in leadership.
“My understanding is that the level of complaints here in Kansas City are in line with the number of complaints that most federal departments have,” Wilkie said.
Wilkie said employee satisfaction rates are also in line with facilities across rest of the country.
He said the Kansas City VA works to bring in employees who reflect the community at large.
“What he has done is bring employees together, not just through diversity, but promising that they will be heard, that there will be accountability from the highest level,” Wilkie said of Isaacks. “The other thing we’ve done is make sure not only are the complaints heard, but that every employee knows the process involved.”
In response to organizations that have called for a third party to investigate the complaints, Wilkie said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the third party responsible for doing so. But employees have disputed how the commission has handled investigations.
Ahead of Thursday’s news conference, Wilkie spoke with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, to discuss the allegations of discrimination.
Moran in March requested the official record of complaints for the last 10 years, along with any corrective actions the VA has taken.
“Discrimination is unacceptable,” Moran, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a news release.
The senator will also host a round table with minority veterans later this month.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, said in a statement that he was disappointed Wilkie did not let him know of his visit as is customary.
“Given the alarming reports of discrimination and racism at the KCVA, as well as the current climate in the nation around race,” Cleaver said in a statement, “I would have expected and appreciated an opportunity to meet with him to discuss a plan to eliminate this unacceptable behavior.”
Cleaver said he would expect Wilkie to be forthcoming about how he will address and root out the problems within the VA.
“Unfortunately, the absence of outreach from the Secretary demonstrates a lack of seriousness and respect for the magnitude of the situation,” Cleaver said.
When community leaders, including the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, tried to give Isaacks a letter on Wednesday demanding accountability from the VA, they were told he was not available. Leaders are working to set up an appointment with Isaacks to meet with him in person to deliver the letter.
Isaacks and regional director Patterson did not comment at Thursday’s news conference.
A group of about 50 Black current and former VA employees who have experienced racial discrimination have been taking a stand. Over the last several months, employees have shared their stories, many asking that their names not be used for fear of retaliation. But the employees all described systemic discrimination against Black employees.
One woman said that some staff members would start to make monkey noises when they would see a Black employee.
Another woman ultimately resigned after going to work caused her to experience chest pains, nausea and vomiting.
Charmayne “Charlie” Brown, who worked at the VA for 17 years before retiring, said the discrimination she faced grew increasingly blatant over the years.
“As we unite, we become stronger,” Brown said at the news conference in June. “And when we begin to speak, our voices will be heard. If you sit and say nothing, then nothing will be done.”
