Leadership Changes at the Hampton VA: What They’re Saying

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: On Friday, Paul Crews, the Network Director of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, VISN 6, announced the reassignment of the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Director Dr. Taquisa K. Simmons to the VHA Office of Social Work Services. As the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Kiggans launched an investigation following complaints of patient safety, staffing shortages, denial of care, unsanitary exam rooms, whistleblower retaliation, and more. Additionally, negative trends in the All Employee Survey (AES) and Organizational Health Indicators (OHI) have shown increased concerns at the Hampton VAMC. Here’s what they’re saying:

Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Mike Bost (IL-12)

“House Republicans aren’t just talk when it comes to oversight. We are focused on bringing accountability back to VA across the ranks and I commend my friend from Virginia and the Chairwoman of our oversight subcommittee, Rep. Jen Kiggans, for her work to improve the delivery of care and services at VA in both Hampton Roads and across the country. These changes are a good step in the right direction, but as usual under the Biden-Harris administration’s management of VA, this took far too long. We will keep pushing Dr. Elnahal and VA leadership to do more than just move these failing leaders to another VA facility and instead actually fix the persistent problems we are seeing in VA’s medical centers permanently to get veterans the level of service they have earned.” 

WAVY, Channel 10 | Yahoo News

Hampton VA Medical Center director reassigned amid House Committee probe: “Simmons’ reassignment stems from an investigation by the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who serves as chairwoman of the subcommittee, released the following statement on July 19 regarding Simmons’ reassignment.

WTKR, Channel 3

Rep. Kiggans releases statement on Hampton VAMC leadership change: 

“News 3 has been investigating the Hampton VA for months, as the organization cut off chiropractic care for veterans. Some veterans mentioned the chiropractic care was the only thing that helped, so they’re unsure of why it was discontinued.

‘My office will continue to investigate concerns brought to us about the Hampton VAMC and provide the necessary oversight to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the quality healthcare they deserve,’ said Kiggans.”

BACKGROUND

Congresswoman Kiggans made the following statement on Friday following the announcement of leadership changes:

“The announcement regarding the change in leadership at the Hampton VAMC is a step in the right direction but long overdue, as many patients and providers have been raising concerns to me about this facility for quite some time,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “For months, I have pressed the VA on complaints of patient safety, staffing shortages, denial of care, unsanitary exam rooms, whistleblower retaliation, and more. While I am pleased to see the VA finally taking a closer look at those in charge in an effort to ensure that policies and procedures are being strictly adhered to at the hospital, there is still more work that needs to be done and changes that need to be made.

“As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, it is a priority of mine to ensure the VA is held accountable and keeps their promises to our veterans. My office will continue to investigate concerns brought to us about the Hampton VAMC and provide the necessary oversight to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the quality healthcare they deserve.”

As a result of the investigation initiated by Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairwoman Jen Kiggans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is making the following personnel and policy changes at the Hampton VAMC:

• Replacement of the VAMC Director 
• Replacement of the Chief of Staff 
• Replacement of the Chief of Surgery
• Addressing the anesthesiologist shortage 
• Addressing staff moral and allegations of retaliation
• Increasing accountability regarding substandard care
• Ensuring medical facilities are properly cleaned and maintained