At the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Alyssa Knoll was awarded as the center’s social worker of the year. Dr. John P. Shealey, the new director of the medical center, presented the award to Knoll.
Knoll is the medical center’s Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, and her critical role in serving mental health and first responders has helped reduce veteran suicide. Her efforts in the community are particularly important since approximately 65% of veteran suicides are those who are not engaged in VA healthcare.
Dr. Shealey congratulated Knoll on her achievements and praised her dedication to her work. He emphasized the importance of her efforts in preventing veteran suicides and acknowledged the significant impact she has made in the community.
Knoll expressed her gratitude for the recognition and thanked her colleagues for their support. She highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving their goals, and emphasized the need to continue working towards reducing veteran suicide rates.
“I appreciate this award and being seen, but I want you all to know that I see all of you,” she said, moments after receiving her award. “Any one of us could be standing here right now because we all show up for our Veterans every single day. It doesn’t matter the circumstances. We are a can-do group of people,” Knoll remarked.
Knoll’s accomplishments as a social worker have earned her a position as a role model among her colleagues and peers. Over the past year, she stood up a coalition to bring suicide prevention to over 500 Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard members. This project was recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration during a conference in Washington D.C.
In addition, Knoll created an opportunity for all veterans to participate in art workshops at no cost. These workshops are happening in multiple partnerships across the Upper Peninsula. Veterans and their family members will have an opportunity to display their artwork in an exhibit for over a week in September and November at the Bonifas Center in Escanaba.
Knoll has also participated in multiple campaigns across the U.P. to raise awareness about the suicide prevention support offered by the VA crisis line, 988 then Press 1. Her efforts have helped to provide crucial mental health support to those in need and have helped to reduce veteran suicide rates.
Knoll’s dedication to her work and her efforts to support veterans and their families have been instrumental in improving access to mental health services and reducing veteran suicides. Her achievements serve as an inspiration and a reminder that with hard work and dedication, positive change can be made in the lives of those who have served our country.
The award ceremony was a testament to the hard work and dedication of those at the medical center who are committed to serving veterans and their families. The Iron Mountain VA and its associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics employ 43 social workers throughout the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin, and the VA nationally employs around 18,000 social workers, making it the largest employer of social workers.
The recognition of Alyssa Knoll, LCSW, as social worker of the year is a reminder of the impact that can be made when individuals and organizations work together towards a common goal.
Award nominees were Sharon Anastas, Beth Brunelli, Mary Campbell, Kirk Carter, Nicole Foster-Holdwick, Sarita Gruszynski, Rich Holmstrom and Kirk Matthews.
