Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at the Department of Veteran Affairs' (VA) has been influenced by radical political ideology.  That influence creates an environment that may obscure or limit discussion on critical topics related to Veteran health care.  

As a combat Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, licensed clinical psychologist specializing in PTSD at the VA, this radical political interference in veteran care concerns me at lot, and it should concern you too.  That's why we've created a petition to remedy a part of this myopic system, and we ask for your signature of support.  

The VA's mission is to fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans. However, this mission is compromised when diverse viewpoints are not considered or permitted in professional discourse.

To improve health outcomes for our Veterans, it is crucial that we encourage viewpoint diversity within the VA. Therefore, colleagues and I developed the Viewpoint Diversity SharePoint to promote this facet of diversity that was once active within the department but no longer is. This platform allowed professionals within the VA system to share ideas freely without fear of censorship or retribution.

The mission statement of the SharePoint was this: “This SharePoint is designed to promote viewpoint diversity, acknowledging that having a breadth of perspectives contributes to a better understanding of the world around us and improves the delivery of best clinical practices to Veterans. Research shows that ideological conformity, biases, and group think can limit one’s vision. The goal is to challenge our potential biases and reduce potential intellectual blind spots!”  The mission was substantiated by reputable sources and primarily peer-reviewed academic journals. There is no objective reason to disallow staff from accessing this professional resource.

Therefore, we call upon you - our fellow citizens - as well as key decision-makers at VA - Secretary Denis McDonough, Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher, and VA Chief of Staff Kimberly M. Jackson - urging reinstatement of this vital Viewpoint Diversity SharePoint platform. By doing so, we can ensure that all voices are heard within professional discourse at VA, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for our Veterans.

Please sign this petition today; let us work together towards creating a better future for those who have served us so bravely.