VIST Coordinator Recognized on Capitol
Bruce Davis and BAVF on Capitol Hill
The Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) presented Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator Bruce Davis with the George Alexander Memorial Volunteer Award during a ceremony on Capitol Hill on June 12th, 2014.
Mr. Davis was recognized for his reputation as “the Dean of the VIST Coordinators” and being the teacher new VIS coordinators go to for answers. He has done three 12-week training programs for new VIST Coordinators and National Program Consultants, reaches out and assists others serving blinded Veterans, and has chaired several committees at the Gainesville Medical Center as well as for Blind Rehabilitation Service and Central Office.
Bruce has been a recipient of a BVA grant for several years. He uses this grant as the BVAF envisioned: each year he organizes and executes a deep sea fishing trip for blinded veterans, sponsors a BVAF bowling outing for the blinded veterans each year, conducts Vision Awareness Days, hosts luncheons, and gives in-service training to various groups of vision-related professionals.
One of Bruce's most beneficial activities is his monthly participation in two support groups for blinded veterans and their families. The Gainesville group meets at the local Senior Center, and the group in Ocala meets at the VFW post. Bruce brings in speakers from outside the VA to share what resources are available for blinded veterans ranging from the Library of Congress Talking Book Program to emergency preparedness training and resources.
Bruce Davis has been with the VA for over 30 years and 28 of those years he has served as a Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator at the Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. Bruce is a licensed MSW.
Learn more about the Veterans Health Administration Blind Rehabilitation Services at: http://www.va.gov/blindrehab/
