Robert Kohutek

The Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs focuses on serving Veterans, current service members, and their families by facilitating access to benefits, education, and employment, and by advocating for military installations and the defense sector. The strategic efforts include enhancing communication and technology, supporting the Governor's priorities, undertaking significant facility projects like the Salt Lake Veterans Home Replacement and Northern Utah Veterans Cemetery, and extending rural outreach. Additional key areas involve supporting military and veteran family programs, ensuring military installation resiliency, promoting Utah as a military mission-friendly state, fostering transition excellence, and implementing comprehensive suicide prevention initiatives. These efforts are supported through extensive programs and partnerships across healthcare, economic development, and higher education, aiming to improve the overall well-being and opportunities for the veteran and military community.

Key discussions included the Resident Council update, noting the election of a new president and summarizing recent activities, including seventy cars at the Car Show and the passing of thirteen residents in the previous quarter. The Administrator reported on the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home's current two-star CMS rating, attributed to a complaint survey, despite a census of 116 and an interest list of 119. The State Officer reported on the completion of the barbershop remodel and the near-completion of the Detention Pond project, with future work planned for HVAC controls and boiler replacement. The Executive Director reported on sending two centenarian residents to a celebration and attending the NACVSO conference, while noting that the Salt Lake veterans' home replacement remains on hold pending federal funding. In New Business, Bryan Moore was accepted as a new board member, and Tressa was elected as the new Vice Chair.

The meeting included updates from the VA Medical Center, including positive metrics, Thanksgiving donations, the upcoming opening of the new Elko clinic, and town halls. The Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs congratulated the Nursing Homes for their inspection report, and provided information on the UVMA Commission meeting and the new attack submarine, the USS Utah. There was a summary of the status of the four Utah Veteran Nursing Homes and the National Cemetery inspection. Updates were provided on the Governor's Suicide Prevention Program and upcoming events. Community partnerships with Veterans in Utah County were discussed, with a request for State Dept. Commanders to attend local Veteran/Community Council meetings.

The meeting included updates from the VA Medical Center, including an "excellent" report from the Joint Accreditation Committee, construction project statuses, the upcoming opening of the new Elko clinic, and planned Town Halls in September with flu shots available. The Utah Dept. of Veterans & Military Affairs provided a summary of their Commission meeting and introduced a new Communication and Marketing Director. There were also updates on the Utah Veteran Nursing Homes' occupancy and the approval of a grant application to expand the cemetery columbarium. Information was shared on the Governor's Suicide Prevention Program, the upcoming Patriot's Day at the State Fair, and a recognition event for centenarian Veterans.

The meeting included updates from the VA Medical Center regarding staffing and participation in the Veteran and Military Family Expo, as well as outreach at Weber State. The Utah Dept. of Veterans & Military Affairs provided a summary of visits to Veterans Homes and the Southern Utah Veterans Cemetery. There were discussions on the status of Utah Veteran Nursing Homes, the Governor's Suicide Prevention Program, and the upcoming video project explaining Veteran benefits. An upcoming "Little Warriors" camp and the 100th Anniversary of American Legion Baseball were also mentioned.