At Bay Pines VA, delivering positive health care outcomes is just one part of serving Veterans. Another crucial aspect of serving those who’ve served is ensuring that the trust they’ve placed in us remains untarnished.
Christina Flint-Lowe works continuously to ensure Veterans and their loved ones know that at VA they are safe.
“What I value about working at VA is that we get to approach challenges with our Veterans’ care at the forefront. When I worked in the private sector, the model was always very results-driven, but being here flips the script a little. I get to honor the Veteran with each decision I make,” Flint-Lowe said.
American Indian/Alaska Native Special Emphasis program manager
Although she didn’t deepen her connection to her culture until she became an adult, Flint-Lowe’s heritage and her work are inextricably intertwined.
“I am a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. I didn’t grow up on the reservation, but my grandparents were both part of the community. Growing up, they didn’t talk much about being native, but I think part of that was a protective feature. They were living in a time when it wasn’t popular to identify as being Native American.”
When Flint-Lowe did visit her reservation, there was a familiar feeling. The more she learned, the more knowledge she craved and the desire for understanding was deepened when she gave birth to her son.
“My want to learn is not only for myself but for my son, because I want to pass our heritage on to him. Later in my adulthood, I decided to go back to school to receive my masters in Native American Leadership. Through those courses I realized I have a responsibility to something greater than myself.”
In addition to her role as a nurse practitioner, Flint-Lowe also serves as Bay Pines VA’s American Indian/Alaska Native Special Emphasis program manager. In this role, she conducts outreach to local native communities and educates staff about various customs and traditions.
“I encourage people to remain curious and open because, through that process, people reach a mutual understanding and respect of one another. My story is just one of many, but I feel honored to be a representative of the community. It’s something I don’t take lightly.”
Although she has never shied away from voicing what she feels is right, Flint-Lowe knows that being a representative in any capacity requires balance. As both a nurse practitioner and a Special Emphasis program manager, advocacy remains at the forefront of her mind.
“My work requires managing my expectations while truly considering the needs of those around me. Being provided the opportunity to have leadership in both roles at VA fills me with gratitude.”
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