MONTGOMERY, Ala—The
National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) has named Kim Justice, the
executive director of State Veterans Homes for the Alabama Department of
Veterans Affairs, for a national post.
Justice, selected as president of
the association, will serve as the chairman of the NASVH’s executive committee,
which meets monthly. She will preside over the winter and summer conferences
and will regularly meet with the federal VA officials concerning policy matters
and with Congress regarding legislation that affects veterans homes.
She recently represented NASVH
for Veterans Day in Washington, DC. She attended the Veterans Day breakfast at
the White House and participated in the National Veterans Day program at
Arlington National Cemetery in which she and her vice president Sharon Mattia
of Maryland presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
With 152 veterans homes in all 50
states and Puerto Rico, the VA is one of the largest long-term care providers
in the United States. The homes are for veterans disabled by age,
disease, or otherwise who by reason of such disability are incapable of earning
a living. State homes include facilities for domiciliary, nursing home care,
and/or adult day health care.
“Kim is a true professional who
stands head and shoulders above other long-term care experts. I know of no one
more qualified to assume this position,” said Clyde Marsh, commissioner of the
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. “She is very deserving of the position
for the professional service she provides to veterans residing at Alabama’s
state veterans homes.”
Founded in 1952, NASVH’s primary
mission is to promote and enhance the quality of care and lives of veterans and
their families in state veteran’s homes through education, networking, and
advocacy. NASVH represents the nation’s 25
million veterans by working closely with Congress, the US Department of
Veterans Affairs, and state governments to ensure former members of the
uniformed services have access to quality and affordable healthcare. The
association also serves as a clearinghouse for techniques and expertise in the
care of veterans and the management of state operated veterans’ homes.
Justice came to the state VA in
1998 as the department’s representative at the Bill Nichols Veterans Home in
Alexander City after graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Health
Services Administration. She was promoted to Veterans’ Homes coordinator in
August 2005 and executive director in 2012. She is responsible for all
operations of Alabama’s four state veterans’ homes—the Bill Nichols Veterans
Home, the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette, the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City, and the Floyd E. "Tut" Fann State Veterans Home in
Huntsville. The
homes provide long-term care services for more than 700 Veterans. More
information about Alabama’s homes are located at http://www.va.alabama.gov/veteranshome.aspx.
Justice resides in Auburn with
her husband Greg and daughters Katie and Caroline.