Shereef Elnahal Confirmed to Fill Long-empty VA Health Post

After a 5-year search, the US Senate in a 66-23 vote, confirmed a new US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health, filling a role that has been without permanent leadership since 2017. Shereef Elnahal, MD, takes over from Steve Lieberman, MD, who has been serving the role in an acting capacity since July 2021.

Elnahal’s nomination had been in limbo since May after Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) blocked an attempt to fast-track his confirmation, which was led by Sen. John Tester (D-MT) who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Scott, who had no specific objection to Elnahal, argued that President Joseph Biden’s nominees haven’t been qualified. The debate turned acrimonious, with Tester accusing Scott of “turning his back on America’s veterans.” He called Scott’s objection as “obstruction at the worst, because this stops our veterans from getting the health care that they need.”

Tester urged his colleagues to support Elnahal’s confirmation, stressing the importance of filling the position. “Dr. Shereef Elnahal has an impressive record of leading health care systems and agencies and has shown a strong commitment to serving millions of veterans and hardworking employees at VA. Now more than ever,” Tester said, “the Department needs permanent, qualified leadership to guide the nation’s largest integrated health care system in the right direction.”

In a statement, Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), ranking member of the US House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, agreed, saying, “Dr. Elnahal’s position is a vitally important one, particularly as the VA health care system prepares to care for millions more toxic-exposed veterans under the PACT [Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics] Act and the new electronic health record rollout continues to disappoint. Dr. Elnahal has his work cut out for him, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that veterans get the health care they have earned when they need it and where they want it, without having to wait too long or travel too far.”

Elnahal is in fact considered well qualified for the job. He was New Jersey’s 21st health commissioner, confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate. During his nearly 2 years in that position, he led with what has become a signature move for him—increasing transparent access to information—by expanding the New Jersey Health Information Network, an interoperability platform that allows for electronic exchange of patient health information among health care providers.

Most recently, as president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, he oversaw improvements in care quality and patient safety. He also established a partnership to provide supportive housing to patients experiencing homelessness, a hospital-based violence intervention program that has served as a national model, and a program that deploys trusted chaplains as community health workers. Notably, he led the hospital through the COVID-19 crisis; the hospital has served as a model for urban hospital and regional response efforts. Elnahal also set up one of the first COVID-19 vaccination sites in New Jersey.

Moreover, he’s not actually a newcomer to the VA. He served as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value from 2016 through 2018, where he oversaw national policies around quality of care for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

During that earlier tenure, he was at the forefront of making VA care more transparent and responsive. Among other things, he cofounded the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, a program that fosters the spread of innovation and best practices. On his watch the VA also launched accesstocare.gov, which provides public access to performance, wait time, and other data. The rationale, Elnahal said in a 2018 interview with Federal Practitioner, was simple: “If we provide veterans with an easy-to-use tool that lets them see data on wait times and quality, they’ll be able to make informed decisions about where and when they receive their health care.” The site allows users to compare quality of care provided by VA medical centers with that of local private hospitals. For instance, they can see if a local VA facility’s wait time is better, worse, or the same as the regional average of private sector clinics.

In his drive to harness smart, sustainable ideas for improving veteran care, Elnahal also helmed the VA Diffusion of Excellence (VADOE) program, whose Shark Tank Competition gives a platform to employees “passionate about solving some of the toughest challenges across VHA.” The innovative winners have included VIONE, a medication deprescribing program, and the β-Lactam Allergy Assessment, an initiative to clarify which patients are truly allergic to BL antibiotics, reduce the incidence of multidrug-resistant infections, and reduce hospital length of stay. Both programs are being replicated across multiple facilities.

“We really empower and recognize the frontline employees who not only contribute the best practices but who replicate them,” Elnahal told Federal Practitioner in 2016. “Essentially, we give them a systemwide leadership role… This is part of many different initiatives that are trying to recognize and elevate the great work that physicians do and really improve their morale and reduce burnout.”

As Rep. Bost suggested, Elnahal now has even more work cut out for him. At this new starting gate, Elnahal says a top priority is improving recruiting and retention for clinical care positions. “The sacred healthcare mission of VA simply cannot be fulfilled without having people to do it, talented healthcare professionals who put the mission above all else.”

In a LinkedIn post, Elnahal thanked President Biden and VA Secretary McDonough for their confidence in him, and the US Senate for confirming him in a bipartisan vote. But “[m]ost of all,” he said, “my gratitude goes to Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors…. Beyond thrilled and eager to get to work for them in a health system with more than 300,000 heroes. Onward to an incredible journey!”

After a 5-year search, the US Senate in a 66-23 vote, confirmed a new US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health, filling a role that has been without permanent leadership since 2017. Shereef Elnahal, MD, takes over from Steve Lieberman, MD, who has been serving the role in an acting capacity since July 2021.

Elnahal’s nomination had been in limbo since May after Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) blocked an attempt to fast-track his confirmation, which was led by Sen. John Tester (D-MT) who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Scott, who had no specific objection to Elnahal, argued that President Joseph Biden’s nominees haven’t been qualified. The debate turned acrimonious, with Tester accusing Scott of “turning his back on America’s veterans.” He called Scott’s objection as “obstruction at the worst, because this stops our veterans from getting the health care that they need.”

Tester urged his colleagues to support Elnahal’s confirmation, stressing the importance of filling the position. “Dr. Shereef Elnahal has an impressive record of leading health care systems and agencies and has shown a strong commitment to serving millions of veterans and hardworking employees at VA. Now more than ever,” Tester said, “the Department needs permanent, qualified leadership to guide the nation’s largest integrated health care system in the right direction.”

In a statement, Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), ranking member of the US House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, agreed, saying, “Dr. Elnahal’s position is a vitally important one, particularly as the VA health care system prepares to care for millions more toxic-exposed veterans under the PACT [Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics] Act and the new electronic health record rollout continues to disappoint. Dr. Elnahal has his work cut out for him, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that veterans get the health care they have earned when they need it and where they want it, without having to wait too long or travel too far.”

Elnahal is in fact considered well qualified for the job. He was New Jersey’s 21st health commissioner, confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate. During his nearly 2 years in that position, he led with what has become a signature move for him—increasing transparent access to information—by expanding the New Jersey Health Information Network, an interoperability platform that allows for electronic exchange of patient health information among health care providers.

Most recently, as president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, he oversaw improvements in care quality and patient safety. He also established a partnership to provide supportive housing to patients experiencing homelessness, a hospital-based violence intervention program that has served as a national model, and a program that deploys trusted chaplains as community health workers. Notably, he led the hospital through the COVID-19 crisis; the hospital has served as a model for urban hospital and regional response efforts. Elnahal also set up one of the first COVID-19 vaccination sites in New Jersey.

Moreover, he’s not actually a newcomer to the VA. He served as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value from 2016 through 2018, where he oversaw national policies around quality of care for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

During that earlier tenure, he was at the forefront of making VA care more transparent and responsive. Among other things, he cofounded the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, a program that fosters the spread of innovation and best practices. On his watch the VA also launched accesstocare.gov, which provides public access to performance, wait time, and other data. The rationale, Elnahal said in a 2018 interview with Federal Practitioner, was simple: “If we provide veterans with an easy-to-use tool that lets them see data on wait times and quality, they’ll be able to make informed decisions about where and when they receive their health care.” The site allows users to compare quality of care provided by VA medical centers with that of local private hospitals. For instance, they can see if a local VA facility’s wait time is better, worse, or the same as the regional average of private sector clinics.

In his drive to harness smart, sustainable ideas for improving veteran care, Elnahal also helmed the VA Diffusion of Excellence (VADOE) program, whose Shark Tank Competition gives a platform to employees “passionate about solving some of the toughest challenges across VHA.” The innovative winners have included VIONE, a medication deprescribing program, and the β-Lactam Allergy Assessment, an initiative to clarify which patients are truly allergic to BL antibiotics, reduce the incidence of multidrug-resistant infections, and reduce hospital length of stay. Both programs are being replicated across multiple facilities.

“We really empower and recognize the frontline employees who not only contribute the best practices but who replicate them,” Elnahal told Federal Practitioner in 2016. “Essentially, we give them a systemwide leadership role… This is part of many different initiatives that are trying to recognize and elevate the great work that physicians do and really improve their morale and reduce burnout.”

As Rep. Bost suggested, Elnahal now has even more work cut out for him. At this new starting gate, Elnahal says a top priority is improving recruiting and retention for clinical care positions. “The sacred healthcare mission of VA simply cannot be fulfilled without having people to do it, talented healthcare professionals who put the mission above all else.”

In a LinkedIn post, Elnahal thanked President Biden and VA Secretary McDonough for their confidence in him, and the US Senate for confirming him in a bipartisan vote. But “[m]ost of all,” he said, “my gratitude goes to Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors…. Beyond thrilled and eager to get to work for them in a health system with more than 300,000 heroes. Onward to an incredible journey!”

After a 5-year search, the US Senate in a 66-23 vote, confirmed a new US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health, filling a role that has been without permanent leadership since 2017. Shereef Elnahal, MD, takes over from Steve Lieberman, MD, who has been serving the role in an acting capacity since July 2021.

Elnahal’s nomination had been in limbo since May after Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) blocked an attempt to fast-track his confirmation, which was led by Sen. John Tester (D-MT) who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Scott, who had no specific objection to Elnahal, argued that President Joseph Biden’s nominees haven’t been qualified. The debate turned acrimonious, with Tester accusing Scott of “turning his back on America’s veterans.” He called Scott’s objection as “obstruction at the worst, because this stops our veterans from getting the health care that they need.”

Tester urged his colleagues to support Elnahal’s confirmation, stressing the importance of filling the position. “Dr. Shereef Elnahal has an impressive record of leading health care systems and agencies and has shown a strong commitment to serving millions of veterans and hardworking employees at VA. Now more than ever,” Tester said, “the Department needs permanent, qualified leadership to guide the nation’s largest integrated health care system in the right direction.”

In a statement, Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), ranking member of the US House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, agreed, saying, “Dr. Elnahal’s position is a vitally important one, particularly as the VA health care system prepares to care for millions more toxic-exposed veterans under the PACT [Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics] Act and the new electronic health record rollout continues to disappoint. Dr. Elnahal has his work cut out for him, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that veterans get the health care they have earned when they need it and where they want it, without having to wait too long or travel too far.”

Elnahal is in fact considered well qualified for the job. He was New Jersey’s 21st health commissioner, confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate. During his nearly 2 years in that position, he led with what has become a signature move for him—increasing transparent access to information—by expanding the New Jersey Health Information Network, an interoperability platform that allows for electronic exchange of patient health information among health care providers.

Most recently, as president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, he oversaw improvements in care quality and patient safety. He also established a partnership to provide supportive housing to patients experiencing homelessness, a hospital-based violence intervention program that has served as a national model, and a program that deploys trusted chaplains as community health workers. Notably, he led the hospital through the COVID-19 crisis; the hospital has served as a model for urban hospital and regional response efforts. Elnahal also set up one of the first COVID-19 vaccination sites in New Jersey.

Moreover, he’s not actually a newcomer to the VA. He served as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value from 2016 through 2018, where he oversaw national policies around quality of care for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

During that earlier tenure, he was at the forefront of making VA care more transparent and responsive. Among other things, he cofounded the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, a program that fosters the spread of innovation and best practices. On his watch the VA also launched accesstocare.gov, which provides public access to performance, wait time, and other data. The rationale, Elnahal said in a 2018 interview with Federal Practitioner, was simple: “If we provide veterans with an easy-to-use tool that lets them see data on wait times and quality, they’ll be able to make informed decisions about where and when they receive their health care.” The site allows users to compare quality of care provided by VA medical centers with that of local private hospitals. For instance, they can see if a local VA facility’s wait time is better, worse, or the same as the regional average of private sector clinics.

In his drive to harness smart, sustainable ideas for improving veteran care, Elnahal also helmed the VA Diffusion of Excellence (VADOE) program, whose Shark Tank Competition gives a platform to employees “passionate about solving some of the toughest challenges across VHA.” The innovative winners have included VIONE, a medication deprescribing program, and the β-Lactam Allergy Assessment, an initiative to clarify which patients are truly allergic to BL antibiotics, reduce the incidence of multidrug-resistant infections, and reduce hospital length of stay. Both programs are being replicated across multiple facilities.

“We really empower and recognize the frontline employees who not only contribute the best practices but who replicate them,” Elnahal told Federal Practitioner in 2016. “Essentially, we give them a systemwide leadership role… This is part of many different initiatives that are trying to recognize and elevate the great work that physicians do and really improve their morale and reduce burnout.”

As Rep. Bost suggested, Elnahal now has even more work cut out for him. At this new starting gate, Elnahal says a top priority is improving recruiting and retention for clinical care positions. “The sacred healthcare mission of VA simply cannot be fulfilled without having people to do it, talented healthcare professionals who put the mission above all else.”

In a LinkedIn post, Elnahal thanked President Biden and VA Secretary McDonough for their confidence in him, and the US Senate for confirming him in a bipartisan vote. But “[m]ost of all,” he said, “my gratitude goes to Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors…. Beyond thrilled and eager to get to work for them in a health system with more than 300,000 heroes. Onward to an incredible journey!”