Hines VA Hospital Director Retiring
CHICAGO (STMW) -- The director of Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital will retire at the end of this month, the hospital announced today.
Joan Ricard is leaving after nearly 40 years of service in the Department of Veterans Affairs, including two years as director of the hospital.
"The 37 years I've spent in the VA, and particularly my past two years at Hines VAH, have been incredibly rewarding," Ricard said in a statement. "I am honored to have worked with so many dedicated staff members, Veteran advocates and community leaders here and all across the country. I will miss the camaraderie dearly; however, I am excited about spending more time with my family and exploring new interests."
She declined to speak to the Sun-Times on Tuesday.
A replacement for Ricard has not been named.
Her resignation comes amid a slew of allegations about poor treatment at veterans' hospitals across the country — and after the dismissal Monday of four high-ranking VA officials.
At Hines, it is alleged that Hines patients were being kept on secret waiting lists; the publicized waiting lists showed much faster treatment than had actually occurred, allowing hospital executives to collect bonuses linked to meeting standards for speedy treatment — part of an alleged scam that is now believed to be a nationwide problem for Veteran Affairs hospitals.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., has repeatedly called for Ricard to step down because he accused her of being part of the problem at Hines, calling her "drunk with power." He could not immediately be reached for comment.
In response to earlier allegations, a spokeswoman for Hines has said: "The Director and all employees at Hines VA Hospital remain committed to leading this organization with integrity and providing the best care our Veterans have earned and deserve."
And on Tuesday, that spokeswoman again denied that Ricard's stepping down had anything to do with the current events pertaining to the VA.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
