Chris Blumenstein to Receive CO Whistleblower Award for Revealing Systemic Problems at VA

Social Worker Chris Blumenstein resigned from the Grand Junction VA over what he viewed as egregious — and almost fatal — problems with hospital management. Chris’s client, Vietnam vet Rodger Holmes, nearly died from Hepatitis C because the VA had no liver specialist and wouldn’t send him for outside care. Blumenstein painstakingly chronicled the ordeal and helped Holmes submit a report to state and federal officials calling for an independent review of the hospital. Blumenstein says what happened to Rodger Holmes is indicative of systemic problems in the VA. Chris Blumenstein will receive The Colorado Independent’s first annual whistleblower award at a ceremony in Denver this Thursday, December 11th.