WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Robert A. Petzel to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after the vote:

“Dr. Petzel has won the confidence of the Committee, and stands ready to provide new leadership for the nation’s largest health care system.  I urge the Senate to confirm Dr. Petzel before we adjourn this month.”

 
Last week, Akaka chaired a hearing to review Dr. Petzel’s nomination.  Dr. Petzel is currently VA’s Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, and has served as a VA Network Director and as a Chief of Staff of a VA Medical Center.  As Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Petzel would lead a growing health care system with hundreds of points of care, millions of patients, and VA’s mental health care, medical education, research and rehabilitative operations.  For a short bio on Dr. Petzel, click here: LINK.

The nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote.

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December 16, 2009