Submitted by the Salem VA Healthcare System
On Monday, June 6 at 10 a.m. the Salem VA Healthcare System renamed the Women’s Health Clinic at the Salem VA Medical Center, in honor of local Veteran Master Sgt. (MSG) Silverine Vinyard James.
As part of the short ceremony, Dr. Miguel LaPuz, assistant undersecretary for health for Integrated Veteran Care, Veterans Health Administration, and previous director of the Salem VAMC, provided a keynote address along with remarks from Ben Cline, US Representative for Virginia’s 6th District, and MSG James.
James retired from the US Army after serving more than 22 years and attaining the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). She was born in Vinton, Virginia in 1929 and attended a four-room schoolhouse through 7th grade before attending Washington Carver High School and graduating third in her class in 1948. In 1949 she joined the Army, attending boot camp as a part of a segregated all-female company.
James’ military career included assignments in Japan, Virginia, New York, and Germany. Following her retirement, she worked for a short time at the Salem VAMC and has been a patient of the facility for more than four decades.
