Name & Occupation: Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Ophthalmologist (physician) and Congresswoman
Previous positions held: Iowa State Senator; Director of Iowa Dept of Public Health; President, Iowa Medical Society; Chief of Medical Staff, Ottumwa Regional Hospital; Councilor, American Academy of Ophthalmology; Alternate Delegate, American Medical Association; Assistant Professor, University of Michigan and University of Iowa
Your desire to serve others is evident in your distinguished military record. How does your service shape your approach to serving in Congress? A life of service shapes my worldview that I work for the betterment of my district, State and country. It requires some humility, which can be in short supply in DC.
What is one piece of advice you have for someone considering joining the U.S. Army today? Absolutely consider it as there is so much to gain, and very little to lose. You gain formal education, discipline, focus, training, experience, tremendous colleagues which may be friends for a lifetime, and the privilege to serve your country. And all of this knowledge and experience is translatable into any workplace, career direction or field and even your personal life.
What has been your greatest accomplishment for veterans since being elected to Congress?The Vet Tech Bill, VIP Act, the work we are doing on veteran suicide and PTSD with emerging breakthrough therapies and our push since April 2021 until today to get SIV’s for our Afghan interpreters and allies who risked their lives for our US servicemen and women.
If there was one thing you could change in the VA system, big or small, what would it be and why? To deliver high-quality care, with great ease, regardless, of where a veteran lives, and regardless of whether it is at a VA facility, or in the community.