Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake issued a statement in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Dr. Shereef Elnahal as the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
“We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed an Under Secretary for Health to lead the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position has been vacant for far too long and Dr. Shereef Elnahal’s arrival is very overdue. This is a critical time for the Department of Veterans Affairs as it continues to move forward with Electronic Health Record Modernization, deals with the impacts of the COVID pandemic and staffing shortages, plans to care for more veterans exposed to toxic substances, and considers the need to address VA’s aging infrastructure. We look forward to working collaboratively with Dr. Elnahal to advance the mission of VHA and ensure it continues to meet the unique needs of veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.”