HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Dr. Taquisa K. Simmons is no longer the executive director of the Hampton VA Medical Center.
Paul Crews, the Network Director of the Veterans Affairs (VA), announced that Simmons was reassigned to the VHA Office of Social Work Services.
Simmons’ reassignment stems from an investigation by the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
She is among several Hampton VA personnel changes.
Rep. Jen Kiggans, who serves as chairwoman of the subcommittee, released the following statement on July 19 regarding Simmons’ reassignment:
“Today’s announcement regarding the change in leadership at the Hampton VAMC is a step in the right direction but long overdue, as many patients and providers have been raising concerns to me about this facility for quite some time,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “For months, I have pressed the VA on complaints of patient safety, staffing shortages, denial of care, unsanitary exam rooms, whistleblower retaliation, and more.”
On Wednesday, July 24, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its report, “Mismanaged Surgical Privileging Actions and Deficient Surgical Service Quality Management Processes at the Hampton VA Medical Center in Virginia.”
“Unfortunately, the scathing OIG report released yesterday validates our community’s growing concerns about the Hampton VA,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Since coming to Congress last year, I have had so many veterans and providers come to me with complaints about patient safety, staff turnover, unsanitary exam rooms, and denials of care. The OIG report shines an even brighter light on these problems, demonstrating clear cut leadership failures at the highest levels of the hospital that have directly affected the quality of care available to our veterans.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs will be implementing the following personnel and policy changes at the Hampton VAMC:
- Replacement of the VAMC Director
- Replacement of the Chief of Staff
- Replacement of the Chief of Surgery
- Addressing the anesthesiologist shortage
- Addressing staff moral and allegations of retaliation
- Increasing accountability regarding substandard care
- Ensuring medical facilities are properly cleaned and maintained
“It is a priority of mine to ensure the VA is held accountable and keeps their promises to our veterans,” said Kiggans. “My office will continue to investigate concerns brought to us about the Hampton VAMC and provide the necessary oversight to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the quality healthcare they deserve.”
Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) released a statement on the VA OIG report, saying, in part, that he was disturbed by the findings.
“Our brave U.S. service members and veterans have selflessly put their lives on the line to defend our country – the least we can do is provide them with quality medical care. I’m committed to holding the VA accountable and conducting congressional oversight to ensure our military community receives the quality healthcare they deserve.”
Congressman Rob Wittman
According to Simmons’ bio, which remains on the VA’s website as of last check, says she was appointed to the Executive Director position in January 2021. Dr. Simmons previously served as Associate Director of Operations at the Hampton VA Medical Center.
10 On Your Side has reported documented failures at the Hampton VA for years. This past November, another OIG report detailed those failures.
