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IVH Commandant reflects on second year at post

The man responsible for the care of nearly 500 residents and supervision of approximately 900 employees at the venerable Iowa Veterans Home continues to follow a “together everyone achieves more” model of leadership.

Commandant Timon Oujiri recently completed his second year at the helm of IVH. Oujiri and his Executive Assistant Dex Walker reflected on accomplishments and have set plans for the future of the institution which accepted its first resident — a Civil War veteran — in December 1887.

Oujiri gives credit to staff and volunteers for meeting objectives.

“I totally believe in the team and what they do,” he said. “I can’t run IVH by myself and out of this office. Actually, I am the one who could go away and no one would notice.”

Second-year accomplishments

“We have successfully implemented the ‘I-Care’ plan for each of our residents,” Oujiri said. “It is plan of care tailored to individual residents. Central to that is now every resident has a primary nurse and each nurse is responsible for 15 residents. Previously, a registered nurse might be responsible for a whole unit.”

Oujiri provided another example of I-Care.

“If a resident wants to have breakfast at 6 a.m., he or she may. If the resident wants to have breakfast at 8:30 a.m., he or she may. It has been fully implemented on campus. That is one thing I am proud of.”

With the state experiencing a labor shortage at all levels, Oujiri and Walker touched on a second accomplishment – IVH’s improved staff retention.

“Our turnover has diminished by 25 percent,” he said. “One staff member recently celebrated their 50th anniversary … but others are coming in … it is not a revolving door anymore. Others who have left have come back. Recently, three RNs who left came back because of what they heard that the environment has changed here.”

Oujiri said a high ranking state official noted how cordial the staff members were during a recent visit. Walker said he noticed change in how new employees are treated.

“If one is a new employee here, the commandant meets with you,” Walker said. “He does not want to send you an email, he wants to meet you face-to-face.”

Walker added a second observation: Oujiri believes in leadership from the top down.

“Every person you pass (in the hallway) deserve a pleasant hello … or a goodbye.

The emphasis being we do not have time for a 45-minute conversation (with colleagues) However, everyone deserves respect. It improves the culture, and has made a significant difference.”

Oujiri said he was happy and proud of that accomplishment.

“This is a great organization to be a part of,” he said. “The state offers a good compensation package. We are starting to see a waiting list of people who want to work here.”

About Oujiri

Oujiri, a Cedar Rapids native, succeeded Commandant Jodi Tymeson, who had been appointed to another state position.

Previously, he served in assignments in the United States Army where he was on active duty 31 years. Duty with the United States Army Reserve followed.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Pittsburg State University, and a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California.

He began his active duty service in Mannheim, Germany as an executive officer for the 48th Postal Detachment. He then transferred to the 7th Signal Brigade as the assistant to the director of personnel. He held staff positions at battalion, brigade, Office of the Chief Army Reserve and Headquarters Department of the Army. Oujiri was one of the first two selected for Congressional Fellowships for the United States Army Reserve. He served on the staff of U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas. He served in the Pentagon in the Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison, working with both the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (seven awards), Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Ten Year Hour Glass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award and the Army Staff identification Badge.

He retired in Dec. 2004 from active service. He was asked to return to active duty in January 2005 to join the Army Staff in Washington, D.C. He served as the Senior Board member at the Army Review Boards Agency. In his position as a board member, he sat on a number of Determination Boards for Soldiers and Veterans including the Army Clemency and Parole Board.

Upon fully retiring from the United States Army, Oujiri was employed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the Terrorist Screening Center in D.C.

In January 2016, he became the Military Recruiting Operations Director at Hy-Vee, overseeing the nationwide efforts in recruiting veterans as staff for the grocery store chain.

“I enjoyed my time at Hy-Vee immensely. It’s an outstanding company,” Oujiri said.

An opportunity came when then Gov. Branstad’s chief of staff contacted him about the IVH position. He interviewed with then Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds who offered him the job and he quickly accepted.

“I am always looking for new opportunities,” Oujiri said. “Every day I am humbled and honored to have been selected and appointed by Gov. Reynolds. What a privilege.”

In his free time, the commandant enjoys reading and traveling.

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