VISN 7 News

Senate Confirms VA Under Secretary for Health

On May 25, 2007, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Michael J. Kussman as Under Secretary for Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"I am extremely honored that the Senate has approved my nomination. I am proud to be given the opportunity to lead VA's dedicated health care workers in serving our nation's veterans," Dr. Kussman said.

Dr. Kussman joined VHA in 2000 following a distinguished, quarter-century career in the U.S. Army in which he served as commander of the Europe Regional Medical Command and command surgeon for U.S. Army in Europe. As commander of the Walter Reed Army Health Care System in Washington, he received the rank of Brigadier General.

With VA, he served in a number of progressively responsible positions, including Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health. At the time of his confirmation, he held the title of Acting Under Secretary for Health.

At his confirmation hearing May 16 before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Dr. Kussman said that with proper resources VHA is prepared to "set the benchmark for quality care for the Nation and the world. He told members of the Senate Committee "VA has no more important mission than to restore those who have been injured or were ill as a result of their service in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to their fullest level of funtioning."