Office of Chief Operating Officer (COO)
About the Office
The Office of the Chief Operating Officer leads Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (ATL) process integration and is responsible for ensuring synchronization at the corporate level for Finance, Human Resources, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Governance, Data Analytics, Quality and Risk Management.
The Office of the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations (AUSHO) leads VHA operations and ensures it continues to be the benchmark for health care excellence and value through the clinical and administrative services we provide to care for Veterans and their families. The Office of the AUSHO operates VHA health care systems, medical centers, and outpatient sites of care. VHA’s coverage area is divided into 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN). Each VISN is a shared system of care working together to better meet local health care needs and provide Veterans greater access to care. The AUSHO is responsible for ensuring VHA program policies and regulations are executed and supported to fulfill the operating needs of VHA field operations.
Activities
- As the focal point for the flow of information and guidance between VACO and the field, the Office of the AUSHO provides operational direction and guidance to each of the 18 VISNs.
- Coordinates and directs a wide range of operational matters dealing with VISN planning, congressional issues, VSOs, the media, Veterans, and families.
- Collaborates with VISNs and VHA Congressional advisory offices to mediate, advocate for, and resolve incoming congressional issues and priorities at all levels of the organization.
- Establishes and updates metrics that hold VISNs accountable to standards for the services they provide, in collaboration with the 18 Network Directors, and other VHA performance management offices.
- Serves as the principal advisor to the USH and other executive leadership within VHA on matters pertaining to VHA field operations to closely coordinate and maintain solid working relationships with other VA/VHA offices to advance VA/VHA initiatives.
Leadership
Gregory Goins
Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Gregory W. Goins serves as the Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director, Medical Operations Center for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Goins provides operational oversight of the Community Care Hub and health care operations for 5 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN), covering all the VA Health Care Systems across the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Philippines. This coverage includes 173 Medical Centers, and 1,198 outpatient sites of care.
Additionally, Mr. Goins provides executive leadership and oversight for the following program offices in the Medical Operations Center: Healthcare Operations Center, Clinical Service Lines, Clinical Coordinator Operations, Clinical Support and Operations, Quality and Patient Safety Operations, Clinical Services and Operations, Performance Management and Data Operations and Process Management Operations.
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Mr. Goins previously served as the Acting Chief Operating Officer. He provided oversight of health care operations for 18 VISNs, and the following program offices: Healthcare Operations Center, Office of Integrated Veterans Care, Patient Care Services, and Clinical Services. Mr. Goins also served as the Network Director for VISN 9, VA Midsouth Healthcare Network. As the Network Director, he provided oversight of health care delivery for five level one healthcare systems across Kentucky and Tennessee. He
managed an annual operating budget of approximately $6.2 billion and led a workforce of about 16,000 employees in support of the VA mission to serve Veterans.
Mr. Goins is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, a certified VA mentor, and is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. He is a 2014 graduate of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Healthcare Leadership Development Program (HCLDP), Leadership Cincinnati (Class 42), and received the Cincinnati Torchlight Award in 2019. He also serves as an ambassador for the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.
Mr. Goins is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years as both a Hospital Corpsman and a Medical Service Corps Officer. His military awards include two Navy Achievement Medals, as well as Navy and Army Commendation Medals.
Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)
The Department of Veterans Affairs comprises 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks or VISNs — regional care systems working together to better meet local healthcare needs and provide greater access to care.
