Lisa Zacher MD

She was officially named to this position on November 29, 2015 and in this capacity oversees the care of more than 110,000 Central Florida Veterans, while serving as the core medical administrator of the Orlando VA Medical Center’s 12 points of patient care.  Prior to her appointment as COS, Dr. Zacher served as Chief of Medicine at the Orlando VAMC (July 2013-Nov 2015), where she worked diligently to activate the new Lake Nona inpatient facility and expand clinical services in a variety of medical specialties.

Dr. Zacher is a retired Army Colonel with 24 years of active duty service. She received her medical degree in 1989 from the University of South Dakota and then completed her Internal Medicine residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas (1992) and Pulmonary/Critical Care training at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA (1995).  She served at Tripler Army Medical Center from 1995-1999 and was fortunate to participate in two Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) missions to Laos, searching for remains from the Vietnam War.  She returned to WBAMC in 1999 to eventually serve as Chief, Pulmonary/Critical Care and Internal Medicine Program Director.  Colonel (Ret) Zacher’s last Army assignment (2005-2013) was as Chief of Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.  As Chief of Medicine at this Level 1 Trauma facility, she supervised 14 Medical Services, accounting for over 1000 civilian and military employees and over 200 residents and fellows.  Her clinical expertise in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine was recognized by receipt of the “A” Designator (civilian equivalent of tenured Professor), but more importantly, she was appointed as Pulmonary Consultant to the Army Surgeon General from 2008-2013. 

Dr. Zacher completed two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  During her first tour (2008-2009) she served as an Intensive Care physician in the Green Zone (Ibn Sina Hospital) as part of the 28th Combat Support Hospital (Ft Bragg) and 86th CSH (Ft Campbell).  In 2011, she again deployed as the Deputy Command Surgeon for United States Forces – Iraq (Camp Victory), where she was the Chief of Staff equivalent for the entire Theatre.  Her military awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Defense Meritorious Service medal. 

Dr. Zacher is active in many professional organizations.  She served as the American College of Physicians (ACP) Army Chapter Governor from 2009-2013 and was recently selected for Mastership in the ACP (MACP).   She is the Vice Chair of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Network Steering Committee, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).  Dr. Zacher has conducted several research projects and publications related to post deployment lung injury related to airborne hazards.  She maintains extensive academic affiliations to include appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Veterans Affairs, at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.  Her innovative medical expertise and demonstrated leadership continue to inspire numerous efforts at the Orlando VAMC to enhance clinical operations, education and research, aimed at not only improving VA medical care, but also refining how care is delivered to our Veterans.