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Headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, the South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16) serves a population of 1.3 million Veterans spread across a 175,000-square mile area that includes Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, and Florida.
715 S. Pear Orchard Road, Plaza 1
Ridgeland
MS
39157
601-206-6900
| Facility Name | State | Status Code | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Hospital Pensacola VA Clinic | Florida | LIMITED | Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 - 14:00 |
| Facility Name | State | Status Code | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Hospital Pensacola VA Clinic | Florida | LIMITED | Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 - 14:00 |
Interim Network Director
Interim Network Director
Fernando O. Rivera, FACHE, has dedicated his career to improving Veterans’ health care and well-being. He has a passion for understanding and delivering first-class service to patients and employees alike. Mr. Rivera is a celebrated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leader with over 30 years of experience in championing cutting edge solutions that transform the VA health care system.
Over the course of his career, Fernando Rivera has distinguished himself as a servant leader, he is a recipient of the 2024 Service to the Citizen Lifetime Award winner, 2023 VHA Innovative Award for Exceptional Experience for Employees, 2021 Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award, the 2009 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, and the 2021 VHA John D. Chase Award for Executive Excellence in Healthcare. Notably, Mr. Rivera was honoured with the 2018 AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, the 2017 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Outstanding Achievement in Service for Homeless Veterans, and the 2017 DoD Secretary Extraordinary Employer Support Award. Recognition of Mr. Rivera’s impact, in 2016, he was the recipient of the Federal Executive Board Outstanding Agency Head, 2015 Recipient of the Secretary of DoD Employer Support Freedom Award, 2014 VHA Mentor of the Year Award, 2012 VHA Preceptor of the Year, and 2012 The American College of Healthcare Executives Federal Health Care Executive Award.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2025 – Present          Interim Network Director, VISN 16, Jackson, MS
2015 – 2025              Director, VAMC, New Orleans, LA
2015 – 2016               Interim Network Director, VISN 16, Jackson, MS
2010 – 2015               Network Director, VISN 5, Linthicum, MD
2013 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Interim DUSHOM, VACO, Washington, DC
2007 – 2010               Director, VAMC, Washington, DC
2005 – 2007               Director, VAMC, Martinsburg, WV
Â
EDUCATION:
1988Â Â Â Master of Business Administration, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
1983Â Â Â Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, University of New Orleans, LA
Deputy Network Director
Chief Medical Officer
Quality Management Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer
When you can't see a VA health care provider in person, here are some ways to connect to VA virtually — by text, chat, secure messaging, online, over the phone, and using apps. Explore each option and decide which is best for you.
