‘We’re taking care of American heroes:’ VA’s Keith Griffin makes healthcare for fellow veterans his life’s mission

Keith Griffin had never traveled far from his hometown of Dublin, Georgia, before he touched down in England about 40 years ago, fresh out of United States Air Force boot camp.

“I looked around and said, ‘What in the world have I gotten myself into?'” Griffin recalled on The Courier Herald podcast “Slightly Off The Record.”

He soon struck up a friendship with his roommate, a native New Yorker.

“Two different guys from different places. We became brothers. We looked after each other.”

Looking after his brothers and sisters – fellow veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces – has grown into a lifelong mission for Griffin. As chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, his official duties include coordinating volunteer programs, community partnerships and donations for veterans, but Griffin does so much more.

“Just assisting American heroes in any way I can,” he said.

Griffin, however, admits that he never planned on coming back to live in Middle Georgia, much less his hometown. That changed when his mother fell ill and he was stationed halfway across the country. While home to visit her, he called on former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn about a transfer to Robins Air Force Base.

Nunn made it happen. Once his service was up, Griffin, who had been military police in the Air Force, worked for eight years in the state Department of Corrections. In 2001, he joined Dublin VA’s staff as a police officer.

“I really liked being a police officer (in the Air Force). You’re doing an act of service. You’re put in the position to help people who are in certain situations.”

A series of promotions followed until Griffin took on his latest role. As chief of community engagement, Griffin has become the face of Dublin VA in the 46 counties the hospital serves. 

“I just really like working at the VA,” he said.

Part of the job is educating veterans on their benefits and connecting them to the services provided at Carl Vinson. 

“Most of those 46 counties are rural. Most don’t have a hospital.”

‘This hospital is unique’

He’s a tireless promoter of the medical center, whether it’s hitting the road in the VA’s vast coverage area or visiting local schools. Griffin tries to involve students, often inviting the ROTC programs to participate in programs. For the VA’s recent 80th year celebration, the West Laurens High band performed a mini-concert on the hospital grounds.

Griffin also touts the VA as a great place for the students to work one day. The hospital employed about 1,200 people when he began working there 25 years ago. Today it employs about 1,800.

“I want them to consider having a career here at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. We have a variety of careers here.”

The hospital has expanded in recent years, most notably adding new mental health and primary care buildings, as well as a women’s health center to serve the VA’s fastest-growing patient population.

Griffin admits to paying little attention to the VA when growing up in Dublin.

“I used to ride by and see these old buildings. I just knew it was a hospital. I didn’t know what its purpose was,” he recalled. “This hospital is different. This hospital is unique. We’re taking care of American heroes.”

His duties include drumming up volunteers for the VA and its veterans. Griffin described the support from the Dublin and Laurens County community as “amazing” and encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to contact him. He can be reached at Keith.Griffin@va.gov or (478) 277-2729.

The experience could prove life-changing for both the veteran and volunteer.

“The unique thing about veterans is we all have a story to tell,” said Griffin. “Some served in war. Some served in peace time. To sit here and hear their stories will blow you away.”