Tech know-how lands her VA job… 35 a long time back

Considerably has adjusted given that Tauna Perenovich started off as an entry-amount clerk-stenographer at VA Pittsburgh Health care Procedure, but recognizing amazing federal services – even with a pandemic – has not.

VA Pittsburgh Director Donald Koenig not long ago honored Perenovich with a 35-calendar year federal assistance certification and lapel pin at the Oakland campus (pictured over). Her loved ones and co-workers could not go to in particular person, but many thanks to condition-of-the-artwork movie streaming technological innovation, they shared the instant.

During the virtual ceremony, section leaders highlighted Perenovich’s function ethic and achievements. She has labored as an training professional, info technology specialist, secretary at VA Pittsburgh, and as a VISN 4 Leadership Advancement Institute coordinator.

“If only I had a dime for just about every time I experienced to read through an award for her during a meeting,” explained Learning Useful resource Officer David Julian, emphasizing that she is normally “helping people that cannot be aided.”

IBM Displaywriter – 1980 – $7,895

Longevity attributed to her pleasure in doing the job for VA

“I try to remember my conference with Tauna like it was yesterday. How grateful she was for all the opportunities VA has specified her. And she took these alternatives,” Training Chief Dr. Thomas Grau mentioned of their initial encounter-to-experience assembly.

Grau likened Perenovich’s affect on VA wellness treatment to a quote attributed to American educator and presidential advisor Booker T. Washington: “There are two means of exerting one’s strength: a single is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”

“Tauna embodies the 2nd aspect of that,” Grau explained.

The use of technological know-how to rejoice Perenovich’s 35 many years of service is not shocking. She rolled into her VA job as the computing business was rolling out far more and additional desktops, printers and health care units. But Perenovich attained an edge about other candidates by mastering specialised capabilities at the now-closed Bradford Enterprise School in Pittsburgh.

Employed 1980 word processor for foods support menus

“I was hired due to the fact I was well-informed in applying the IBM Displaywriter term processor – with the major 8-inch disks – a person to operate it and a person to save files on. The food stuff assistance main preferred to change all the position descriptions and affected individual menus,” Perenovich reported.

VA had three of the methods in 1985 at the now decommissioned Highland Travel campus when she commenced. Now running with considerably far more obligation, she credits her results not only to understanding how to use the Displaywriter, but also to VA employment added benefits.

Previous Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff was on hand when Perenovich was recognized for her selection as 1995’s “Federal Girl of the Year” by the city’s Federal Executive Board for her expert initiatives and volunteer do the job.

“We experienced the Faucet (tuition support method). It was a pot of dollars they would distribute depending on the selection of individuals that used. Sometimes we ended up blessed to get a hundred bucks,” Perenovich reported.

Nonetheless, the funds aided her receive an associate’s degree in business enterprise administration from the Community School of Allegheny County. She later on acquired her bachelor’s diploma in health companies management from Robert Morris University and a master’s in skilled management from Carlow University – with a minimal VA enable. But comprehension VA sources stays her robust fit.

“I was never shy about asking about things”

“Reading. Figuring out. Inquiring. The obstacle is realizing who to check with,” Perenovich said, noting human resources and education and learning personnel are great sources of know-how for VA staff members.

“Encouraging entry-degree employees that they can do what I did if they choose edge of all that is given them – that is so me,” Perenovich reported. “Making absolutely sure you’re conscious of issues. I was hardly ever actually shy about inquiring about matters.”

Perenovich has taught hundreds of co-workers in the technological innovation, leadership and public speaking abilities essential to do their careers. Nevertheless she most often educates VA team, she is proud of her entry-degree personal computer classes for Veterans in VA Pittsburgh’s domiciliary.

Teaches senior Veterans pc capabilities

“More than 300 Veterans have participated. It’s generally the older Veterans – 45 and up – that want support. It’s really significant, specifically in acquiring a work. We do all the things on personal computers now,” Perenovich explained. “At some position you are heading to have to sit down at a keyboard.”

Reflecting on 35 years of helping Veterans and co-personnel and the celebration in September, she recognized something.

“I like Dr. Grau’s reference of ‘Pulling persons up,’” Perenovich reported. “I get wonderful satisfaction from supplying back again to people today, nurturing and encouraging.”

Go to our Get the job done With Us webpage if you’re fascinated in work, volunteer and overall health care coaching prospects at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Army Veteran Sheila Tunney is a general public affairs professional at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Technique.