VA announces new director at VA Palo Alto health care
PRESS RELEASE
February 1, 2021
Palo Alto , CA — VA is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Howard as medical center director for VA Palo Alto health care in Palo Alto, California.
In her new role, Ms. Howard will oversee a $1.1 billion annual operating budget and lead over 7,000 staff and volunteers.
VA Palo Alto health care has 800 operational beds spread between 3 inpatient divisions and 7 community outpatient clinics. In addition, we are home to a polytrauma rehabilitation center, which is one of 5 facilities in the country designed to provide intensive rehabilitative care to Veterans and service members who experienced severe injuries. Being a teaching hospital, we have strong partnerships with Stanford University School of Medicine, numerous academic affiliations in allied health programs, and other community health institutions.
“We are excited to bring Ms. Howard on board as the new director of VA Palo Alto health care. Given her 34 years of experience, I anticipate excellent leadership and continued commitment to America’s heroes,” said John Brandecker, director of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21.
Since 2015, Ms. Howard has served as medical center director at the Sierra Nevada Healthcare System in Reno, Nevada. In this role, she oversaw the care of 100,000 Veterans and led an integrated health care system which provides services across a large geographical area, including 20 counties in northern Nevada and northeastern California.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Howard served in a broad range of administrative and executive management positions at VA facilities in Phoenix, New Orleans, San Diego, North Chicago, Las Vegas, Honolulu and Reno, as well as VISN 21.
About VA Palo Alto Health Care System
VA Palo Alto health care is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which serves Veterans in northern and central California, Nevada, Hawaii, the Philippines, and U.S. territories in the Pacific Basin. VA Palo Alto health care operates 3 inpatient facilities in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore, in addition to 7 community-based outpatient clinics in San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora, and Fremont. We also offer 2 residential homes for Veterans in the Compensated Work Therapy program. We operate over 800 beds, including 3 nursing homes and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary, all to serve more than 67,000 enrolled Veterans.