diabetes Va Secretary Announces Resignation

[betrayed]

:D

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

to VANEWS-L

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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.

[spike]

I don't want to ruffle any feathers about peoples point of view on Hillary. However, being a disabled veteran a constituent of NY (where she is a Senator), I have seen first hand that she has scuffled at Veterans, the War, etc. I have asked for Senator Schumer, and Congressional Representatives and Hillary. The only one to not come back and even send a sorry can't do letter is Hillary Rodham Clinton. The senator's don't do the work. I personally don't care anymore what "Party" anyone is a part of anymore. I look not even what they say they will do in a political election, etc. Let's face it....politicians are almost like recruiters, they are looking at the numbers at all times. If the voting people sway one way, they sway with what the people want to hear. If it sways back, they all back pedal and go with the best statement to win your vote. Look at McCain on the what do they call it the ICF? First it was barbaric, and now it's ok as long as they have different refs and a handful of changes to the rules.

I look at a person's long track record on what they DO not what they SAY.

[Ricky]

McCain is an idiot - plain and simple. JMHO