The chief of surgery for the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center has stepped down. The VA is investigating allegations of problems at its Roseburg and Eugene facilities.
Roseburg VA Health Care System Director Doug Paxton says in a statement that Chief of Surgery Dinesh Ranjan has stepped down voluntarily. Chris Curry will be the acting chief.
The VA's Office of the Medical Inspector and the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection started an investigation last year. Investigators interviewed about 200 VA employees in Oregon. A preliminary report called for changes in senior management and sited a “toxic culture”.
Doctors, nurses and other staff with VA facilities in Roseburg and Eugene have complained of mismanagement. There have also been allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers.
Statement:
Roseburg VA Health Care System Director Doug Paxton has announced that Chief of Surgery Dinesh Ranjan has stepped down from his position. Roseburg VAHCS Chief of Dental Chris Curry will assume the duties of chief of surgery for the next 120 days.
Ranjan will now be assisting with the development of the VA Northwest Network’s Surgical Telehealth program.
“There are times in every organization when new leadership is needed. This is one of those times, and appointing a new chief of surgery is in the best interest of the facility and the Veterans served by the Roseburg VAHCS,” said Roseburg VAHCS Director Doug Paxton.
“We are confident Dr. Curry will provide consistency and strong leadership for Roseburg VAHCS surgeons during this time. Working together, Curry and his staff will continue to improve the care and services that our Veterans have earned and deserve,” Paxton said.
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