Jennifer S. Gutowski, MHA, FACHE was appointed director of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) on February 2, 2020.
Ms. Gutowski joined the VA in 1999 and has a track record of progressive professional development and career growth spanning field management experience, operations support, and program management. Ms. Gutowski served as Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Honolulu from May 2017 to January 2020. In that position, she oversaw a broad range of medical services, with an annual budget of over $335 million with more than 1,400 employees and serving approximately 129,000 Veterans throughout Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Ms. Gutowski was Interim Director of the SAVAHCS from January 2016 through March 2017. She served as the System’s Associate Director from July 2012 through January 2016 and again from March through May 2017. Prior to 2012, Ms. Gutowski had served as Acting Associate Director and Assistant Director of the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital near Chicago, and held various positions at the VA Long Beach (California) Health Care System.
Ms. Gutowski graduated with a master’s degree in Health Administration from Tulane University in New Orleans. She is also a Certified Healthcare Executive, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and a graduate of the VA Executive Career Field. She has received awards and other recognition for her growing responsibilities and leadership within VA.
The SAVAHCS is comprised of a VA Medical Center in Tucson, and seven community clinics located in Safford, Casa Grande, Sierra Vista, Yuma, Green Valley, and Northwest and Southeast Tucson.