diabetes Va Secretary Announces Resignation

[betrayed]

:D

VA Media Relations <va.media.relations@va.gov>

to VANEWS-L

show details

11:33 am (3 minutes ago)

Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following

Internet address:

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel

Nicholson to leave VA and Return to the Private Sector

Under his Leadership, VA Makes Strides in Health Care and IT

Modernization

WASHINGTON (July 17, 2007) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim

Nicholson announced today he has tendered his resignation to President

George W. Bush, effective no later than October 1, 2007.

Under Nicholson's leadership, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

continued its evolution as a leader in health care innovations, medical

research, education services, home loan and other benefits to veterans.

He transformed the VA health care system to meet the unique medical

requirements of the returning combatants from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his letter of resignation, Nicholson praised and thanked the

President for the honor of serving him and our Nation's veterans in this

key post at such a "critical time in our nation's global war on terror."

"The VA is a dynamic organization dedicated to serving our nation's

finest citizens - our veterans," Nicholson said. "It has been an honor

and privilege to lead the VA during this historic time for our men and

women who have worn the uniform. We have accomplished so much and the

VA is always striving to improve our services to veterans."

Nicholson said he wants to return to the private sector. "This coming

February, I turn 70 years old, and I feel it is time for me to get back

into business, while I still can." He said he has no definite plans at

this time.

He also addressed an assembled group of Washington VA employees and

those watching around the country on VA's closed-circuit television. In

his message to employees, Nicholson told them how privileged he felt to

have worked with them in fulfilling our nation's promises and

obligations to its veterans.

"VA has come a long way in meeting the growing needs and expectations of

our veterans and you deserve the credit", Nicholson said.

Nicholson, a Vietnam Veteran, was sworn in as Secretary of Veterans

Affairs on February 1, 2005.

During Secretary Nicholson's tenure at the Department of Veterans

Affairs:

* Directed each of our veterans of the global war on terror who come

to the VA for any kind of care to be carefully screened for brain damage

(TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

* Hired 100 new Outreach Coordinators to provide services to

returning OIF/OEF veterans. The new coordinators are located in Vet

Centers throughout the country especially near our military processing

stations.

* Created a new Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and their

families to advise him on ways to improve programs serving OIF/OEF

veterans.

* Directed the Veterans Benefits Administration to give priority to

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF)

veterans in its compensation and pension claim system.

* Launched a major information technology transformation in the VA

with the way it uses and safeguards personal and health information of

veterans.

* Created a new Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness to

deal with emergency planning and security.

Initiated the overhaul of the VA's vast contracting and acquisitions

systems.

* Created a blue ribbon Genomic Research Advisory Committee to use

the VA's expansive medical data holdings to advance the science of

predictive medicine.

* Commenced a major campaign to reduce the high rate of diabetes in

veterans.

* Launched a national effort in the Veterans Health Administration to

eradicate staph infections in VA hospitals.

* Approved 82 new Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) to bring

VA top notch care closer to the veterans who have earned it.

* Created a new multi-campus Nursing Academy through partnership with

the nursing schools throughout the country to help address a shortage of

nurses within the VA and nationwide.

* Directed the hiring of suicide prevention counselors at each of

VA's 153 facilities to strengthen one of the nation's largest mental

health programs. He also established a 24-hour national suicide

prevention hotline that will be operational by the end of July 2007.

* Hired 100 new Patient Care Advocates to help severely injured

veterans and their families manage VA's system for health care and

financial benefits.

* Led the President's recent Task Force on Returning Global War on

Terror Heroes to improve the delivery of federal services and benefits

to Global War on Terror service members and veterans.

"This is a very big Government agency that, among many other things,

sees over 1 million patients a week in its health care system, and is

doing a world class job," Nicholson said. "The American people can feel

proud about the way we are treating our veterans. The President and the

Congress have been very supportive and for that I am grateful as well."

Nicholson thanked the President, "he has given me terrific opportunities

to serve my country and under his strong and supportive leadership, it

has been a real privilege."

Nicholson left the private business world over 10 years, where he ran a

successful residential development and construction company. He was

elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee in January 1997.

Immediately prior to becoming Secretary, he served as the U.S.

Ambassador to the Holy See.

[Berta]

Geez I cant believe the emails I am getting on this- calls too----

Boy- lots of vets are glad.

I think Deputy Sec MAnsfiled would be a good replacement. But who knows.

I have an idea-

since the lawyers have to pass a VA 101 test to rep vets as well as any accreditied SO or rep or even an advocate who wants VA accreditation to directly rep vets before VA-

why dont they give the same test to the Secretary of the VA.

You know- Jesse Brown was executive Director of the DAV before he ever became sec and he had a basic knowledge of VA case-

then again he was so busy travelling to Europe as the Secretary VA - what good did that do.

I used to call his office in DC and talk to his liason guy at the VA and Jesse was never in town.

I asked the guy where he was one time and he said in Italy -

I said what Veterans Administration office is in Italy !

Geez-

all kidding aside (some of the emails I got were real funny about this)

I feel Jim Nicholson is a good man and I honor his service.

But as a military student of battlefield command, and leadership-myself-I feel

he sure didnt have a clue as to how to run that show.

I think all of you vets recognized that about him.

[spike]

You know what....whats the thoughts of Bob Filner?

[Testvet]

Filner is a democrat he will never get appointed by a republican best we can hope for is someone that doesn't do any more damage and is basically a place holder, just my 2 cents.....Principi is making to much money to come back and after being asked to resign to make room for Nicholson would you come back? I think they will be hard placed to find anyone decent at this late date I see a recess appt coming....

[Pete53]

Rumor in Washington DC is that Nicholson is on Prostitute Call List. The family values guys are taking a drubbing.

[Testvet]

I think it's the Dole/Shalala report is due and it's going to be ugly isn't there another report due on VA health care soon besides that one?

[rocketman]

:D This is the best news that has come out of Washington in several years. Nicholson was nothing more than a political whack job. He almost destroyed the VA. I for one am certainly glad that he is finally gone.

This is the forth bad tooth that had to be pulled. Now we need a solid bridge.