New Leadership at Hines VA Hospital
Steven E. Braverman, M.D., Hospital Director
We are pleased to introduce Steven E. Braverman, M.D. as our new Hospital Director. Dr. Braverman has now been on board for several weeks at Hines after nearly 30 years serving our Nation as an Army Physician. He officially retires from the Army October 31, 2016.
In his short time here, Dr. Braverman has jumped right in. Among other actions, he participated in a Veterans Town Hall Meeting his first day on the job. While admitting that he has a tremendous amount to learn about E...dward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, including its history, facilities, operations, stakeholders and people, Dr. Braverman has made it very clear why he is here.
"It's our mission to proudly serve our Veterans by providing compassionate, comprehensive, care of the highest quality supported by education and research," said Dr. Braverman. "Taking care of our Veterans with dignity and respect is a sacred mission and one that I am very proud to undertake with the Hines team."
Like so many of the Veterans we serve, Dr. Braverman has 'skin in the game.'
"Besides being an Iraq Veteran myself, my oldest daughter is an Army Captain at Fort Bliss. Her husband is a Disabled Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran," he added. "My middle daughter is in medical school on an Army scholarship. My wife of 30 years is a Nurse working in informatics/electronic medical records, and my youngest daughter is a senior in college. She may play a soldier on TV one day after completing her acting degree. My point is, what we do here is as important to me on a personal level as it is on a professional one."
Dr. Braverman knows the job comes with its challenges and he's up to the task.
"I am well aware of the negative press Hines has received over the past few years - and even the past few weeks. I took this job despite that. I'm also well aware of the excellent clinical care, research and education we provide here at Hines. I took this job because of that."
Dr. Braverman has also made it clear that we'll be developing a hospital-wide strategic plan and communicating our priorities to all of our stakeholders. We'll be inclusive in its development to include our employees, our unions, our patients and our Veterans Service Organizations.
"It is my goal that we can turn the commitment and passion I've seen from the people here into making Hines the Flagship of the Veterans Health Administration."
This plan will only be successful with buy-in from our whole community. The VA's core values - I CARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence) wil be front and center to this effort.
Welcome aboard Dr. Braverman and thank you to our Hines team for what you do every day and for your dedication to our Nation's heroes.
