In The News 30 April 2016

Rep. Wenstrup requests details on leadership re-assignments at Cincinnati VAMC

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Second District Congressman Brad Wenstrup, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, has called on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Bob McDonald to provide further information about recent leadership re-assignments at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center (VAMC).

On April 26, the VA announced that Mr. John Gennaro, current Director of the Cincinnati VAMC, will be re-assigned to the vacant director’s position at the Erie VAMC in Pennsylvania. Mr. Glenn Costie, the current Director of the VAMC in Dayton, will fill the role of Acting Director in Cincinnati until a permanent director is hired.

In a letter dated April 28, Wenstrup asked Secretary McDonald for more details surrounding this transfer, given the recent allegations of mismanagement at the Cincinnati VAMC, as well as Mr. Gennaro’s short tenure as Director.

Specifically, he asked: “What were the factors leading to Mr. Gennaro’s re-assignment? Why did the VA select this particular time for the transition? Why did the VA choose to replace a Director with an Acting Director at the Cincinnati VAMC? When do you expect a permanent director for the Cincinnati VAMC to be named?”

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Wenstrup also inquired about the current environment at the Cincinnati VAMC, given that Mr. Costie has often been asked to lead VAMCs plagued with systemic management problems. “In addition to the serious allegations brought forward by the whistleblowers at the Cincinnati VAMC,” Wenstrup asked, “do you have reason to believe that there are other factors at the Cincinnati VAMC that require Mr. Costie’s management?”

Lastly, the letter asked for an update on the situation of Dr. Barbara Temeck, the former Acting Chief of Staff at the Cincinnati VAMC who was recently demoted to “non-patient care duties while [VA’S Undersecretary for Health, Dr. David J Shulkin] considers appropriate additional actions.”

On April 30, Rep. Wenstrup told The Highland County Press: "Within hours of sending this letter, Secretary McDonald contacted me and answered all of my questions and concerns regarding leadership reassignments at the Cincinnati VA. I appreciate the Secretary's promptness and I look forward to our continued work on VA issues on behalf of our nation's heroes."

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