WASHINGTON, DC – A senior leader with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was recently presented with the nation’s highest civilian career leadership award for her extraordinary commitment and service to veterans on behalf of the department.

Announced Dec. 13, Lisa Pape, the deputy chief patient care services officer for Care Management and Social Work for the Veterans Health Administration, or VHA, was awarded the Meritorious Rank for her outstanding work in leading VA’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness among veterans.

“Lisa has played a key role in the establishment and implementation of policies, practices, management and operational activities in veterans care,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Lisa has earned this recognition through her leadership and dedication to the department’s mission.”

In her current role, Pape is the principal clinical adviser to VA officials on policies and procedures pertaining to the development and oversight of programs; delivery and evaluation of services and clinical practices of VA's social work; transition care management; caregiver and chaplain workforce.

Pape provides executive leadership for VA's continuum of homelessness programs including Fisher House Programs, Temporary Lodging Programs, Caregiver Assistance Programs, VA Transition and Care Management Programs, Chaplain Services, and social work university and college affiliations.

Her breadth of oversight and influence supports over 15,000 social workers and chaplains in VA medical centers and outpatient clinics nationwide.

Before her current position, Pape served as VHA’s acting chief of staff and the chief officer for Policy and Services for VHA’s Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for health for Policy and Services. In these roles, she served as the senior adviser to VHA’s executive in charge and the deputy under secretary for health for Policy and Services.