A Letter from the Director, Bay Pines Health Care

Benefits, Events, General News

I invite you to attend a special Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony for our new Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) program now available for Veterans enrolled for health care at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.  The ceremony will take place in the building 20 auditorium located on the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center campus on February 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Driving instructions and a campus map can be accessed here: www.baypines.va.gov/BAYPINES/locations/directions.asp.

The MLP program is a result of a multi-organization partnership between the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Stetson University Veterans Law Institute, Bay Area Legal Services, and Gulfcoast Legal Services and is supported by the St. Petersburg/Bay Pines MyVA Community Engagement Board.  The program is designed specifically for Veterans enrolled for care with the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (some exceptions may apply) who are in need of legal representation/consultation for non-criminal offenses, who may not otherwise be able to afford legal representation.  Services are provided by MLP attorneys at no cost. The program officially became available for Veterans on February 1, 2017.

This special partnership is only the thirteenth of its kind in the nation – a significant community accomplishment that has already yielded a tremendous benefit to the men and women we have the honor and privilege to serve.  On the first day of the program alone, the MLP attorney staffing the office served 11 Veterans and received 168 phone calls.  There is tremendous demand for this wonderful program that will, without a doubt, greatly assist Veterans with their legal concerns while allowing them to more fully engage in their personal health and well-being.

Your presence during the ceremony  and ongoing support will contribute to the overall success and strength of this program now and in the future.  I look forward to you joining us as we officially move forward in this partnership that will positively impact the lives of many Veterans and their loved ones.

If you have any questions about this event or MLP, please contact Ms. Meghan Booth, LCSW, Social Work Supervisor, at 727-398-6661 extension 15191 or Mr. Fred Liggett, Transitional Patient Advocate, at 727-398-6661, extension 15893.

Sincerely,

SUZANNE M. KLINKER Director, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

About Jeff Cavanagh

Jeff Cavanagh spent his freshman year at St. Petersburg Junior College back in the early 70s before enlisting in the United States Navy. Soon after, he attended Jacksonville University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After college, he was commissioned and became a qualified Surface Warfare Officer spending the next 22 years honing his skills as a ship-handler and expert recruiter before retiring in 1994. Jeff expresses a deep sense of pride in St. Petersburg College due to connections that go back many years. His father, Tom Cavanagh, was a career Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran who taught Geography and Western Civilization at St. Petersburg Junior College in the 60’s and 70’s.