[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MELANIE THOMAS AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                       FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2025

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Melanie Thomas of Saint Cloud, Florida is the 
public affairs officer for the Orlando VA Health Care System (OVAHCS), 
where she leads strategic communication efforts to enhance public 
awareness and engagement for Veteran healthcare services.
  With a strong background in public relations, media relations, and 
strategic communication, Melanie plays a vital role in shaping the 
organization's messaging, fostering transparency and strengthening 
connections with Veterans, stakeholders, and the broader community.
  In her role, Melanie oversees media outreach, crisis communication, 
and community engagement initiatives, ensuring that Veterans and their 
families are well-informed about the services and resources available 
to them. She collaborates with leadership, government agencies, and 
community partners to promote the mission of serving those who've 
served.
  Driven by her servant leader approach and her commitment to effective 
communication, Melanie works diligently to amplify the voices of 
Veterans and highlight the impactful work of the Orlando VA Healthcare 
System. Her expertise in storytelling, branding, and stakeholder 
relations makes her an invaluable asset to advancing programming for 
Veterans and healthcare services.
  Prior to her current role, she served as the public affairs officer 
for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS), 
was a public affairs specialist and TCF intern for the Bay Pines VA 
Healthcare System, and held a voluntary service assistant position with 
public affairs collateral duties at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
  Mrs. Thomas holds a master's degree in business administration and an 
undergraduate degree in organizational communication with 
concentrations in public relations and rhetoric from Wilkes University 
located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

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