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Press Release from VA:
Today, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released an interim summary report titled Healthcare Inspection – Patient Safety Concerns at the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center (VAMC), Washington, D.C.
The Department of Veterans Affairs thanks the OIG for its quick work reviewing the D.C. VAMC. The department considers this an urgent patient-safety issue. Effective immediately, the medical center director has been relieved from his position and temporarily assigned to administrative duties.
Col. Lawrence Connell U. S. Army (Ret) has been named the Acting Medical Center Director for the D.C. VA Medical Center. Mr. Connell is currently serving as a Senior Advisor on policy matters focusing on development, adoption, and implementation of Department-wide programs and strategic issues.
He served more than 30 years as an Army medical service officer including 15 years as a MEDEVAC Pilot as well as Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Regional Medical Command, Honolulu, Hawaii; Chief Executive Officer of Stuttgart (Germany) U.S. Army Medical Health Clinic; Commander of the 43rd Area Support Medical Battalion; and other medical-related staff positions.
He holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy State University and Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island.
VA is conducting a swift and comprehensive review into these findings. VA’s top priority is to ensure that no patient has been harmed. If appropriate, additional disciplinary actions will be taken in accordance with the law.
