WASHINGTON — The former director of D.C.’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center is out of a job.
In a news release Tuesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Brian Hawkins’ employment was terminated “because he failed to provide effective leadership at the medical center.”
He had been relieved of his duties at the center in April after an inspector general report pointed to “serious and troubling deficiencies” at the facility, which included unsanitary conditions and record-keeping issues.
“This action underscores VA’s commitment to holding all employees accountable if they fail to do their jobs or live up to VA’s values,” the statement said.
Lawrence B. Connell remains the medical center’s acting director. The VA credited him with several improvements, including aggressive recruiting for critical positions; implementing an environmental management service support contract to supplement cleaning; and the inventory and reorganization of warehouse supply areas.
Additional improvements to come under Connell, the VA said, include adding over a hundred patient parking spaces.
