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On Wednesday, March 28, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, M.D., as the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Jackson would replace David Shulkin, M.D., who has served as the Secretary since February 2017.
Dr. Jackson, an emergency medicine physician, currently serves as the presidential physician. Dr. Jackson studied Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston before graduating from medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch. Jackson was deployed to Iraq to serve as a physician in the US Marine Corps. In 2006, he was chosen to be one of the White House physicians for former President George W. Bush, and continued his service during the term of former President Barack Obama.
Before stepping into the role of Secretary, Dr. Jackson will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In the interim, President Trump announced that Robert Wilkie, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Department of Defense (DOD), will serve as Acting Secretary.
President Trump made the announcement in a series of tweets:
ASA thanks Secretary Shulkin for his service and commitment to ensuring the highest standard of care for our nation’s Veterans. ASA looks forward to continuing this strong working relationship with the new Secretary.
