Secretary Commends Perlin for Service to Nation’s Veterans

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today announced that Dr. Jonathan Perlin, VA’s Under Secretary for Health, who has led the Department’s health care transformation since 2004, will resign effective August 11 to take a private sector position.

“Jon Perlin’s dedicated service to our nation’s veterans is evidenced by the fact that VA’s health care is now widely recognized as a model for safety, efficiency, effectiveness and compassion,” Secretary Nicholson said.  “He has been an invaluable part of my senior leadership team.  The skill, knowledge and leadership he brought to VA will be sorely missed.  I wish him the best in this new endeavor.”

Perlin, who has held several positions with VA since 1999, is accepting a position as chief medical officer and senior vice president for quality at HCA, a Nashville-based health care provider.  

“I thank the President and the Secretary for the tremendous opportunity I’ve had to serve America’s veterans,” Perlin said.  “I am deeply humbled by our heroes’ sacrifices on behalf of our nation, and I am forever grateful to the thousands of men and women at VA who serve our privileged mission of caring for veterans.  

“I am also proud that I will leave VA better than it was and with veterans receiving better care than ever before,” Perlin added. 

Under Perlin’s leadership, VA’s health care has received numerous accolades for innovation and continues to outperform the private sector for quality, safety and customer satisfaction.  

Earlier this week, VA’s electronic health record system received the coveted “Innovations in American Government Award” sponsored by Harvard University’s Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Kennedy School of Government and administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.

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