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Augusta VA director announces resignation [Aiken Standard, S.C.](Aiken Standard (SC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 29--Robert Hamilton, the director of the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, announced his plans to resign from the center which currently employs 2,500 and cares for more than 40,000 veterans across 17 counties in Georgia and seven counties in South Carolina. Hamilton is scheduled to resign on Nov. 30. The press release on the matter did not go into detail, but stated that he chose to resign to "focus on more personal goals." Hamilton was appointed director in July 2012. Prior to his current appointment, Hamilton was the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Force's largest medical center, the Wilford Hall Medical Center in Texas. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of Headquarters Air Mobility Command's health system, which is comprised of 11 separate medical facilities. Hamilton has more than 31 years of leadership experience as a health care leader and former United States Air Force officer. Hamilton's resignation comes after three reported deaths at the facility last year that were linked to delays in care. The issue made national news and Hamilton spoke about the issue in a November 2013 interview with CNN. "All of us at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center are deeply saddened by the loss of any veteran at our facility," he said. "We offer our sincerest condolences to veterans affected by delays in GI care and families who have lost a loved one." Retired Col. David Lobb, who is a patient with the center and an official with a statewide military agency, said he also has had complications with getting help at the center and would welcome some "new blood" in the facility. "I don't think the VA was necessarily doing everything they should," he said. "The doctors and nurses are fantastic, but the administrative side is lacking. So I think new blood would help reenergize the VA." According to the press release, an acting director will be appointed to ensure continuity of operations until a new director is selected. Derrek Asberry is a beat reporter with the Aiken Standard. He joined the paper in June. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry. ___ (c)2014 the Aiken Standard (Aiken, S.C.) Visit the Aiken Standard (Aiken, S.C.) at www.aikenstandard.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |