Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at Medicine Grand Rounds this morning. This was the first stop on his tour around the country to encourage physicians and other health care providers to work with veterans at VA medical centers.
Mary Klotman, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine, welcomed Secretary McDonald, who was invited to Duke by Ralph Snyderman, MD, chancellor emeritus of Duke Medicine.
"Speaking for the Department of Medicine and the School of Medicine, I can say we have had the privilege of having a wonderful relationship with our VA," said Dr. Klotman. "I think it's been a mutually beneficial relationship for all of our agendas, and we hope in the future we will continue to contribute significantly to the health and well being of the veterans."
Yesterday, Secretary McDonald was able to meet with a small group of internal medicine residents at the Durham VA Medical Center. He also was scheduled to speak today at the Duke Fuqua School of Business, where he previously served as chair of the board of visitors.
Video of his presentation is available here.