Sandra Orchard receives her retirement certificate from Jim Rice, left, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center director. Orchard served at the Iron Mountain VA for 32 years, most recently as chief of Human Resources Management Service.

IRON MOUNTAIN – After 32 years of federal service, Sandra Orchard of Kingsford has retired from the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center.

Born in Iron Mountain, she was raised in Kingsford, and is the daughter of Shizuko and (the late) Joseph Patrick. 

Orchard graduated from Kingsford High School in 1977 and Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in 1985. 

She started her VA career on Feb. 18, 1986, at the Iron Mountain VA and spent her whole VA career here.   She worked in various positions during her tenure at the medical center.  She started as a clerk-typist doing medical transcription before accepting a position in Personnel Service (later known as Human Resources Management Service) where she remained for over 29 years.  

Within Human Resources, she held the positions of secretary, personnel actions clerk, HR specialist, HR coordinator, HR supervisor, and HR officer.  During her career, she received numerous individual and group special contribution awards, quality step increases and performance awards. 

She is married to Steve Orchard, and they have two daughters, Sara and Sabrina.  Retirement plans include enjoying time with her family, cooking and baking, gardening, reading, arts/crafts, music, and some traveling.

Orchard is grateful for the opportunity to have worked as a federal employee at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center and to play a part in serving our veterans.  

She extends her appreciation to the VA staff whom she has worked with over the years, both locally and within the VA Great Lakes Network, and in particular would like to thank the medical center’s Human Resources staff for their support, dedication, and teamwork.