New VA Medical Center Director Named

The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Leslie B. Wiggins as the new Director of the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Wiggins will oversee the delivery of health care to more than 89,000 veterans via a workforce of more than 2,900 employees and an operating budget of more than $500 million.

Wiggins has a proven track record as an exceptional health care leader and former VA deputy assistant secretary for Labor Management Relations with outstanding qualifications and skills, demonstrated management ability to lead complex organizations, motivate employees, manage resources, and work successfully with widely varied stakeholder groups. Wiggins will arrive at the medical center within the next 45-60 days to begin her appointment.

Wiggins’ extensive experience includes management of clinical health care operations and administrative functionalities (i.e., clinical, financial, human capital, and space); which spans more than 20 years with the VA. As the former VA deputy assistant secretary for labor management relations, Wiggins served as principal advisor to the assistant secretary for human resources and administration in VA central office on all matters pertaining to the development and management of labor relations within the Department of Veterans Affairs. She was responsible for the establishment of a corporate approach to managing the department's relationship with its five national unions.  

Wiggins was responsible for the development of an effective approach to expedited negotiation of all national collective bargaining agreements and national initiatives that impact the working conditions of bargaining unit employees. Wiggins also served as the chief negotiator of a three member team and was successful in negotiating Patient Aligned Care Teams for Veterans Health Administrations on a national level.

This article was provided by the medical center.