Black History Month salute: Dr. Audrey Frison

VA celebrates Black History Month with a grateful salute to Dr. Audrey Frison, who is retiring after 40 years of serving Veterans.

“When I came to VA as an administrative resident in 1983, I never expected to make it my lifelong career,” Frison said. “I soon realized that taking care of Veterans was an opportunity for me to serve those who served our country, a privilege and an honor. The longer I stayed, the more opportunities I was afforded for professional growth and development. I am a great example of opportunity and advancement at VHA and truly blessed with my 40 year career.”

Followed her sister into nursing

As a coal miner’s daughter, Frison grew up in in the hills of Appalachia in the small town of Benham, Kentucky. She attended Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, for her undergrad in nursing.

“I decided to become a nurse because my mother wanted to be a nurse. She was never able to be a nurse but my older sister is a nurse and I decided to follow in her footsteps,” she said.

Frison started as nurse in the private sector during one of the first severe nursing shortages.

“I felt as though the administration wasn’t listening to the staff and I said I needed to be a part of the change. I need to sit at the table where the decisions are being made,” she added.

Master’s degree in Hospital and Health Administration

She decided to go back to school to obtain her master’s degree in Hospital and Health Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1983, she landed an internship at VA in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

After a yearlong session and completing her thesis on ambulatory surgery, she went on to become a health system specialist trainee at Indianapolis VA. She completed her intensive training and started her first position as the HRO DRG coordinator at the Dayton VA in Ohio.

“I was in that position for about four years, and then came to Marion, Indiana, because my husband took a new position,” she said.

Doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership

Frison earned her doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership in 2016.

Northern Indiana VA is where she would flourish in her career and dedicate herself to her staff and Veteran care. Over the years, she has held many positions, including in Veteran enrollment, acting chief of Food and Nutrition, acting chief of Respiratory Care and acting chief Environmental Management.

In 1997, she was selected as assistant director of Patient Care Services, a position she held for 26 years.

“At the time, we did not have a nurse executive position at the Fort Wayne campus. My boss at the time asked me to stand-in because we were in the midst of the Marion and Fort Wayne merger. I decided to be a part of the solution and made the decision to apply and I was selected,” she said.

Frison has been leading the way since 1983. Throughout the constant changes of health care, leaders and employees, one thing has remained the same: her compassion and commitment to her employees and Veterans.

A new career as a volunteer

After decades of service, Frison has decided to retire and start a new venture: “I would like to volunteer in the school system. I would like to work with young students to help them learn how to read.”

She says she will miss the camaraderie, the employees and taking care of the Veterans. “It’s been an honor for me. I would have never dreamed when I started in VA in January 1983 that this is where I would be. I’ve been very fortunate to work with really great leaders and staff,” she said.

Frison has dedicated 40 years of her life serving Veterans. She may be leaving, but her positive contributions to VA will remain.