In an effort to revamp the Veterans Affairs department, President Obama has nominated a new candidate for the VA's undersecretary of health position.
According to Military Times, Obama has selected Dr. David Shulkin, currently the president of Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. The source also noted that the president nominated LaVerne Council, CEO of Council Advisory Services, for the post of the VA's assistant secretary for information and technology. The two positions have gone unfilled for months, but once the Senate approves Obama's choices the new leaders are expected to take over immediately.
NJ.com reported that Shulkin has been at Morristown since 2010. Previously, he was vice president of Atlantic Health, and spent time as president and CEO of New York City's Beth Israel Medical Center. His experience as both a doctor and an administrator is what made him the president's first choice, explained the source. His selection was informed by a search committee that examined prospective candidates and sent Obama their recommendations.
The job Shulkin will likely be taking over was previously held by Robert Petzel, who resigned after it was revealed that VA facilities all over the country, but particularly the branch in Phoenix, had incredibly long wait times that officials believe may have cost some veterans their lives. In addition to improving the quality of management for the department, Obama made it a priority to get veterans the best medical care possible in their life after service. NJ.com noted that president signed a bill in August that would fund private medical care for former servicemembers who could not get a VA appointment within 30 days.
Although there is not an official timeline for when the Senate will approve Obama's choices, they are expected to agree with his decisions and start enacting much-awaited changes in the near future.