Buffalo VA director, chief of staff ‘immediately transferred’ out of positions
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo VA Medical Center’s healthcare system director and chief of staff have been “immediately transferred” out of their positions pending the results of an investigation, a VA spokesperson said.
The VA said the transfer follows “concerns raised by clinicians about local leadership and instances of delayed care.”
Healthcare System Director Michael Swartz had been in his position since July 2018, according to the VA’s website, and Philippe Jaoude took the position of chief of staff in January 2021.
In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy called for action and transparency following reports of “potential mismanagement.”
“This situation is unacceptable, and we owe it to our veterans to get to the bottom of it,” Langworthy said in a statement. “It is imperative that the VA conducts a thorough and transparent review of this matter, cooperates fully with the Committee’s investigation, and takes immediate corrective action where necessary.”
In the letter, he discussed reports to the House Veterans Affairs Committee that said local veterans may have experienced delays in receiving cancer treatments due to “administrative failures.”
One veteran who volunteers at the medical center said many of the patients he interacts with face appointment delays that span for months, with one of his own appointments being postponed five times.
“I went there at the greeting desk and they come in, and I say good morning to them, ask them what they need help with, and as they’re leaving, they’re shaking their head,” said Marty O’Connor, a VA volunteer and veteran. “They said, ‘I can’t get anything done.’ Just replacing the two of them [Swartz and Jaoude] isn’t going to do anything. They have to come up with a new type of system in order to take care of the veterans.”
WIVB News 4 requested an interview with VA officials, but a spokesperson declined the request citing the ongoing investigation.
“We proactively informed Congress of this matter, and we will continue to keep Congress – and local Veterans – apprised on this issue every step of the way,” said Terrence Hayes, the VA press secretary.
Latest Local News
Buffalo man dies following shooting outside Jamestown bar
Woman admits to fatally stabbing boyfriend in 2020
Final defendant in fatal Lake View stabbing sentenced
Vintage Bills apparel available at estate sale in Williamsville
Plane went ‘straight down’ in Niagara County crash that killed pilot: NTSB report
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.