The Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health is a sub-cabinet position in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Department of Veterans Affairs The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and ...

. Formerly known as the Chief Medical Director of Veterans Health, the Undersecretary is the highest official directly responsible to the

Secretary A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a w ...

for the

Veterans Health Administration The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) led by the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health that implements the healthcare program of the VA through a national ...

, which is the largest agency within the department. Although the position is no longer required to be held by a licensed

physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

(as of 2004), senior medical professionals such as hospital administrators are typically the preferred selectee for nomination, based on both demonstrated ability in the medical profession or health care administration, and with substantial experience in Veterans healthcare or similar programs. From 2017 through July 2022, the position was vacant, with the last Senate-confirmed holder being Dr. David Shulkin, who was elevated to become the Secretary on February 14, 2017. As was the norm during much of the Trump administration, the position was filled by a myriad persons designated as acting undersecretary. Between 2018 and 2021, the position was held by Dr. Richard Stone, MD. Following his resignation in July 2021, Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Steven. L. Lieberman assumed his duties. On March 19, 2022, President Biden announced his intention to nominate Dr. Shereef Elnahal to serve as undersecretary. Dr. Elnahal was confirmed by the Senate on July 21, 2022 and assumed his office the same day.

List of Undersecretaries for Health

References

{{US-gov-stub United States Department of Veterans Affairs officials