VA Sunshine Healthcare Network Announces New Healthcare System Director

March 30, 2012

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne M. Klinker as the new director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.  Klinker will oversee delivery of health care to more than 97,000 Veterans and an operating budget of $600 million at the nation’s fourth largest VA Medical Center.  With 3,800 staff and facilities in Palm Harbor, Bay Pines, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Naples, and Sebring, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is one of the most complex of the nation’s 152 VA Medical Centers.  In addition to health care services for Veterans, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System offers extensive education programs for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, more than $3 million in research funding, and serves as a VA Operations Center in the event of a national disaster.

“We are excited to bring Ms. Klinker on board as the new director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.  Her sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve,” said Nevin M. Weaver, VISN 8 Network Director. “We anticipate she will arrive at the medical center within the next 45 to 60 days to begin her appointment.”

Klinker joined the VA more than 17 years ago and has held progressive leadership positions at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston; Alexandria, Louisiana; and the VA Western New York Healthcare System. Most recently, she served as the medical center director at the Battle Creek, Michigan VA Medical Center, which includes a 288-bed hospital, 100 bed community living center, and 104 bed residential rehabilitation facilities, as well as four outpatient clinics. She was responsible for a budget of $250 million and a workforce of 1,320.

Klinker holds a Master of Science in Management from Baker University, Topeka, Kansas. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a graduate of the Veterans Health Administration’s Executive Career Field Development Program.  

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