Phoenix, Arizona–As Independence Day approaches, heroic Whistleblower, Paula Pedene continues to advocate for our nation’s veterans and will speak at the American Legion Post 44 in Scottsdale in observance of the holiday. To this day, VA has the most whistleblower disclosures of any federal agency thanks to Pedene.
Her journey to get there was daunting, and she will share her compelling story the American Legion Post 44 on June 28, where she will also sign copies of her new award-winning book, A Sacred Duty.
A Sacred Duty is the story of one ordinary and deeply committed individual who found herself at war with an institution bent on erasing her. In confronting this Goliath, Paula Pedene discovered the David within her. She will share how faith, perseverance, and grit were able to help her win her Whistleblower Case against the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System.
“I believe that as we pause to reflect on our nation’s independence, it’s important to reflect on the need to support our veterans and stand up for what it takes to maintain these freedoms,” said VA Whistleblower Paula Pedene. “My story is one that I hope will inspire others to maintain the focus on doing what’s right for those who have served our country,” she added.
- What: First-hand account of Paula’s whistleblower journey and book signing
- Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
- Place: American Legion Post 44, 7145 E. 2nd Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Pedene says writing her book, A Sacred Duty helped her heal. “I was mentally exhausted from the thousands of papercuts the leaders and bureaucracy were hitting me with each day. Writing the book gave me time to reflect, see all sides, cry, and heal to a better degree,” she added.
The book has won two national awards, the Grand Prize Winner during the 2018 Book Pipeline competition and the Grand Prize from the 2021 Skyrocket Press competition, which led to its publication.
Pedene’s high-profile Whistleblower case exposed the waits and delays for VA health care amongst our nation’s veterans. When the scandal broke, both the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and the Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel were forced to resign. The Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman, was later fired for ethical violations and became a convicted felon.
After the story broke in Phoenix, the VA learned that 111 VA hospitals across the country were unethically delaying health care for our nation’s veterans. Due to the disclosures of Pedene and others, VA became a lightning rod for whistleblower disclosures and, to this day, has the most filings of whistleblower cases of any agency.
About Paula Pedene and A Sacred Duty
A SACRED DUTY is the true, first-person account of Paula Pedene, a legally blind, 54-year-old, decorated U.S. Navy veteran who endured a campaign to destroy her personally and professionally. But in the end, she was able to summon the strength to battle back and help expose a conspiracy and cover-up that outraged the nation.
At its core, A SACRED DUTY is the story of one ordinary though committed individual who found herself at war with an institution bent on erasing her. More than that, however, in confronting this Goliath, Paula Pedene discovered the David within her.
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