Lawrence B. Connell

Previously, he served as the VHA Chief of Staff from July 23, 2018. Mr. Connell also served as the Acting Medical Center Director of the Washington, DC VA Medical Center and is a retired U.S. Army colonel, where he served as the Deputy Chief of Operations, Joint Cyber Center, United States Pacific Command. Mr. Connell served more than 30 years as an Army medical service officer, including 15 years as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot. Additionally, Mr. Connell served as the Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Regional Medical Command, Honolulu, Hawaii; the Chief Executive Officer of Stuttgart U.S. Army Medical Health Clinic; the Commander of the 43rd Area Support Medical Battalion; and other medical-related staff positions. His military awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster award and two Air Medals. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a graduate of the Disney Institute for Health Care Excellence. Mr. Connell holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in International Relations from Troy State University.