A continuing transformation Dr. David Shulkin takes over as head of VA, vows ‘swift’ and ‘responsible’ reform O n Jan. 11, then-President-elect Donald Trump incoming presidential administration to nominate a nominated Dr. David Shulkin to lead the secretary who would work to ensure progress made Department of Veterans Affairs. Shulkin, who DAV within the VA over the past two years would not be lost. named Outstanding Federal Executive of the Year for “We are pleased that President-elect Trump has 2016, has served as the VA’s undersecretary for health chosen Dr. David Shulkin to continue and complete the since July 2015. transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs “I have no doubt Dr. Shulkin will be able to lead currently underway,” said Washington Headquarters the turnaround our Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Garry Augustine. “As undersecretary needs,” said Trump in a for health, Dr. Shulkin statement following the worked closely with “ Bringing best announcement. “His DAV and others sole mandate will be to to strengthen and practices from the serve our veterans and reform the VA health private sector will restore the level of care care system.” help me achieve our we owe to our brave Beyond Shulkin’s men and women in the experience managing outcome, which is to military.” VHA and the more provide better care As the chief executive than 305,000 health for the Veterans care professionals to our veterans .” Health Administration and staff it employs, —Dr. David Shulkin (VHA), Shulkin has the Pennsylvania overseen and directed native brings a wealth the delivery of health care to the more than 9 million of private sector experience as well, having served veterans enrolled at the VA—the largest integrated as president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center health care system in the nation. in New York from 2005 to 2009 and as president of “It is my honor to serve as President-elect Trump’s Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, N.J., from secretary of Veterans Affairs. President-elect Trump’s 2010 to 2015. commitment to caring for our veterans is unquestionable, “My experience in the private sector and relooking and he is eager to support the best practices for care and at business models has allowed me to come in and provide our Veterans Affairs teams with the resources challenge some of the issues in the Veterans Health they need to improve health outcomes,” said Shulkin Administration that, frankly, needed to be questioned,” in a statement following his nomination. “We are both Shulkin said. “Bringing best practices from the private eager to begin reforming the areas in our Veterans Affairs sector will help me achieve our outcome, which is to system that need critical attention, and do it in a swift, provide better care to our veterans.” thoughtful and responsible way.” Shulkin, the son of an Army psychiatrist and During the selection process, DAV, alongside many grandson of a World War I veteran, was unanimously other veterans groups, voiced encouragement for the confirmed for the post in mid-February. ■ DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV | @DAVHQ 5
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A continuing transformation
Dr. David Shulkin
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