Local VA Social Worker Receives National Recognition

Violet Cox-Wing, Chief of Social work for the Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (VA TVHS) was named the VA's National Social Worker of the Year.  This is the first time a mid-state Social Worker for the VA received national honors for her work with Tennessee Veterans.

Cox-Wingo received the award Wednesday, November 18th, during the Uniformed Services Social Work Conference in St. Louis, Mo.

The award is given to social work chiefs, executives, managers and coordinators in the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The award recognizes commitment to excellence, exemplary services, commitment to the core principles and value of social work practice.  The award is presented to the VA social workers who have made a difference at their station level as well as advancing the profession of social work.

"It is an honor and privilege for me just to be nominated for the award," said Cox-Wingo.  "It is a humbling experience to know that out of many deserving and qualified Social Work leaders in the VHA, that I have been selected," she said.

While honored to receive the award, Cox-Wingo stated this award is a reflection of the commitment to Veterans by VA TVHS and more importantly all the social workers at VA TVHS.

"This award means that the quality of services we offer to Middle Tennessee Veterans is being recognized.  VA THVS's primary goal is to ensure all services we provide are patient-centric and social work services play a key role in this.  It is exciting to know that VA THVS will now be recognized as one of the best social work programs in the country, not only by the VA, but the Department of Defense and other agencies alike," said Cox-Wingo.

Violet Cox-Wingo has been a social worker for the VA since 1981 and a VA TVHS chief social worker since 2007.