Broken Promises:
National whistleblower and Emporium native LtCol Ted Blickwedel presents special program for veterans and families at library
The Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library is excited to welcome Emporium native, whistleblower, combat veteran and retired Marine Corps LtCol Ted Blickwedel for a presentation about his book, "Broken Promises", which describes his efforts to protect quality care for veterans and the welfare of those who serve them in the VA health care system. The program will be held in the Library Multipurpose Room on Monday, August 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm. We encourage all area veterans and family members to attend.
“Broken Promises” chronicles how excessive productivity metrics levied on clinicians by VA management has compromised quality care for veterans and negatively affected counselor welfare. It also describes the unethical and vindictive retaliation Blickwedel experienced during his advocacy crusade and the traumatic impact this has had on him, his family, colleagues and veterans. Further, the book explains a federal GAO investigation he helped instigate that substantiated his allegations, which resulted in Congressional legislation to correct this injustice as a consequence of his efforts. Copies of the book will be available for purchase during the program.
The Veterans Administration’s current mandate focuses on the quantity of veteran clients seen versus the quality of care they receive. The effects of the mandate dramatically increased counselor workload at the expense of veterans’ mental health care, including those with PTSD.
Becoming a whistleblower, Blickwedel experienced retaliation, including gaslighting, isolation, mobbing, and false accusations. Despite this, his unwavering dedication to protect quality care for veterans has led to Congressional legislation to hold the VA leadership accountable to ensure this injustice does not continue.
Born in Emporium, Blickwedel’s family has a military history. Notably, Blickwedel is a Persian Gulf War combat veteran and his uncle, Richard Swanson, was a U.S. Army Sergeant who served in the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. They are features together on a military banner outside of Charlie’s restaurant.
After his military service, Blickwedel was employed as a licensed clinical social worker for the Veterans Administration (VA) at the Warwick, RI VET Center from 2009 to 2018 where he conducted individual and group therapy with combat veterans.
For questions or to register for the program, call library staff at 814-486-8011 during the library’s regular business hours.
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