Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District released the following statement today on the appointment of Isabel Duff as the new Director of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. 

“Today’s appointment of Isabel Duff as the new Director of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is welcomed news for our veterans and the success of the Las Vegas Hospital and Community Living Center,” said Titus. “I look forward to working with her to ensure that Southern Nevada’s veterans receive the highest quality health care in the most efficient way possible.”

Earlier this month, Titus wrote a letter urging Dr. Robert Petzel, Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to quickly complete a thorough search for a new Director of VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. As the Las Vegas Hospital and Community Living Center completes construction and becomes fully operational, Titus stressed the importance of quickly appointing a full time, permanent leader who is fully invested in the success of the hospital.

The full text of Congresswoman Titus’s letter can be read here: 

September 3, 2013

The Honorable Robert A. Petzel, M.D. 

Under Secretary for Health 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

810 Vermont Avenue, NW 

Washington DC 20420

Dear Dr. Petzel,

As a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs, I thank you for the work that you do to ensure that our nation’s heroes receive the highest quality health care in the most efficient way possible. It is my honor to serve on the Committee on behalf of the more than 154,000 veterans who live in Las Vegas. Southern Nevada has always been proud of our significant veteran population. 

For years our community lobbied the Veterans Administration to open a full service hospital for veterans in Las Vegas, and I have closely monitored the progress of the new Las Vegas Hospital & Community Living Center and am encouraged to see that many of the expected services are already being offered to the 240,000 Veterans living in the hospital’s catchment area. I have had the opportunity to visit the facility and regularly discuss the hospital with veterans throughout my Congressional District. 

I write today to encourage you to quickly appoint a Director for the VA Southern Nevada Health Care System. As you know, the position has been filled by an Acting Director for a number of months. As the hospital continues to offer additional services and complete construction of other projects at the site, it is important that there is a leader who is fully invested in the success of the hospital. I am concerned that the Health Care System does not have a full time, permanent director as the hospital becomes fully operational and ask that you quickly complete a thorough and thoughtful search for the next director. 

I look forward to working with you to ensure that veterans in Southern Nevada have access to the high quality health care they have earned. 

Sincerely,

Dina Titus 

Member of Congress