NW Valley Times

Guest speaker Paula Pedene addressed students at Grand Canyon University, sharing her experience as a whistleblower in the 2014 Veterans Administration scandal in Phoenix. During a lecture focused on ethics, Pedene emphasized the importance of integrity within government accountability.

"Be clear about what you are not going to do," she told the students, many of whom are studying public relations. "I was not going to lie for them. I saw it coming; I saw they were unethical. I could not live with myself if I lied for them. Thank God I didn’t."

Pedene, who worked as a public relations professional in Scottsdale, became a whistleblower after exposing corruption at the Veterans Administration medical center in Phoenix over ten years ago. Her actions led to her demotion and harassment by administrators due to her revelations about patient care delays, fraudulent data, and other misconduct.

"You have to hold true to your personal values," she stated, referencing the Public Relations Society of America’s Code of Ethics. She stressed that honesty is crucial when representing organizations and knowing when to distance oneself from unethical practices.

The lecture was part of GCU's Integrity Week and organized by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences along with the new GCU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Cynthia Weaver, faculty advisor to the student chapter and a public relations professor at GCU, said: "This presentation is a real-world example of how to apply ethics and integrity when faced with a life-changing challenge."

Pedene recounted her personal challenges following her whistleblowing activities. She experienced depression and health issues after being "banished to the basement" by VA officials but credited prayer, yoga, and family support for helping her share her story nationwide and through her book "A Sacred Duty: How a Whistleblower Took on the VA and Won."

She warned against omission in public relations: "Sometimes we omit saying something because it’s not flattering to the organization. But you have to be careful with omission because sometimes admitting your faults or errors can help you improve."

During her career in both active duty and reserves in the U.S. Navy, Pedene learned broadcast journalism and core military values which guided her actions at the VA in Phoenix.

"Do I care? If I didn’t, I would have had an easy ride," she explained regarding her decision to become a whistleblower despite facing retaliation from leadership after highlighting misuse of funds and delayed care.

Despite significant contributions like establishing the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, Pedene faced demotion following exposure efforts alongside a colleague doctor that led some leaders to resign amid investigations confirming malpractice within VA administration.

"The truth has a way of rolling like thunder," Pedene remarked about media coverage following investigation findings on falsified patient data leading to veteran deaths on waiting lists—a case sparking national outcry over agency patient care standards.

In response to student inquiries regarding federal worker scrutiny today—amidst inspector general dismissals—Pedene affirmed most workers perform commendable work while advocating oversight against wasteful practices: “Should we be looking at some of the waste fraud abuse? Yes.”

Concluding with biblical counsel from Ephesians 6:11-17 about spiritual armor against evil challenges ahead she urged students reflection upon three life-defining values under divine commitment ensuring preparedness facing adversities akin hers equipping ethical resilience required standing ground firmly secured moral convictions intact throughout future endeavors encountered professionally personally alike.