2010 Presentation - William A. Nelson Award for Excellence in Health Care Ethics

Pictured (L-R), Dr. Randy Petzel, Under Secretary for Health; Dr. Melissa West; VISN23 Director Janet Murphy and Steve Kleinglass, Director, Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Dr. Melissa West, Co-Director of Community Living Center, a 90-bed transitional care and end-of-life care unit at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, is the 2010 recipient of the William A. Nelson Award for Excellence in Health Care Ethics.

Dr. West has served in an ethics leadership role for over two decades and excels in many of the category areas for this award, including Consultation, Policy Development, Scholarship in research and publications, and Leadership. 

She is recognized for the on-going and continuous education she offers staff, residents, family members, and patients. She is considered the resident expert on unique and challenging ethical dilemmas. Dr. West is a staunch advocate not only for patients and family members, but for staff members who struggle with ethical issues.

Dr. West has embedded institutional ethics into the day-to-day operations at Minneapolis, and is regarded as an effective and sincere communicator who has gained the trust of patients, family members, residents, students, researchers, and administrators. She is a strong proponent of patient autonomy is an advocate for allowing patients to make their own decisions when they have the capacity to do so.