President-elect Donald Trump Jan. 11 announced his selection of David Shulkin, M.D., as his nominee for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Shulkin currently serves as VA Under Secretary for Health in President Obama’s administration.
In support of the nomination, AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., stated “The AAMC is pleased that President-elect Trump has chosen Dr. Shulkin to serve as VA secretary. During his tenure in academic medicine and as VA undersecretary of health, Dr. Shulkin has experienced firsthand the benefits of the partnership between the VA and academic medicine…”
Dr. Kirch also highlighted the commitment of America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals to care for veterans. He continues, “The research, education, and patient care missions that the VA shares with academic medicine have improved access and quality of care for veterans and all Americans. Each year, the VA has a role in training more than 40,000 residents and 20,000 medical students, while also supporting veteran-centered research that leads to life-improving advancements and discoveries.”
Prior to serving at the VA, Dr. Shulkin was president of Morristown Medical Center and previously served as president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Shulkin has held numerous physician leadership roles including the chief medical officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Temple University Hospital, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Dr. Shulkin has also held academic positions as the Chairman of Medicine and Vice Dean at Drexel University School of Medicine. He is a board-certified internist and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Shulkin received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, his internship at Yale University School of Medicine, and a residency and Fellowship in General Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center. He received advanced training in outcomes research and economics as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.