Over the course of my training and faculty career, I have spent nearly 40 years involved in inpatient care, teaching and research at four different VA hospitals and clinics across the country. Since coming to Omaha in 2011, I have continued to see patients on the inpatient infectious disease consult service two months a year at the Omaha VA facility, and my laboratory research has been supported in part through the VA. Thus, it was only after much deliberation that I made the decision to end my professional activities at the VA at the end of June.
I am very appreciative and proud of my time working within the VA system. The ability to provide care within an integrated health system that focuses more on the patient and less on the distractions of billing and collections has been refreshing, as has the opportunity to both be trained and train others in a health system that, for seven decades, has included medical education as part of its core mission. Through its own research program, the VA has been most supportive of physician scientists, including their research training. The longstanding partnership between the VA and U.S. medical schools has been critical to the success of many academic physicians, including myself. Finally, it has been a privilege to interact with and provide care for our nation’s veterans.
There is no question in my mind that my VA experiences improved all aspects of my professional career and were a major contributor to the successes I had over the years. But times change, as have both my career goals/time availability and the directions/goals of the VA. It is time for me to step away from that chapter of my career and allow new faculty to benefit from the experiences and professional growth that the VA can provide.
Over the last 12 years, I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with my infectious diseases colleagues from Creighton at the VA, who allowed a UNMC faculty member to become part of their team. It has been a pleasure to see the Creighton ID fellows who I worked with at the VA mature and graduate into strong clinicians, with a number now members of the Creighton faculty, including the division chief. I also wish to particularly acknowledge the support of Fred Hamel, PhD, associate chief of staff for research at the VA, and Deb Romberger, MD, who was in the role prior to Dr. Hamel, as well as the research office for supporting my research program over the years.
I will continue to interact with VA leadership in my role as dean and as a member of the VA Affiliation Partnership Council. I look forward to that continued VA relationship.
As I have done for many years, let me close by encouraging you to enjoy the warm summer months and spend some much-deserved time with family and friends.
Have a great summer.