VA New England Healthcare System
VA New England Healthcare System Announces New Medical Center Director for Providence VAMC
June 19, 2020
Lawrence Connell Brings Leadership, Proven Experience to Providence VAMC
BEDFORD, Mass. — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the appointment of Lawrence Connell as the new director of Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, R.I.
Connell will oversee a comprehensive health care system that provides care to over 35,000 Veterans from Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands, with an operating budget of nearly $300 million.
“We are pleased to appoint Lawrence Connell as the new director of Providence VA Medical Center,” said Ryan Lilly, network director for the VA New England Healthcare System. “His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and for the Veterans we are honored to serve.” He will begin his duties Tuesday, June 23.
Connell previously served as the chief of staff for the Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC. He is a retired U.S. Army colonel and served as the Deputy Chief of Operations, Joint Cyber Center, U.S. Pacific Command. Throughout his military career, he has held multiple leadership positions. He served more than 30 years as an Army medical service officer, including 15 years as a medevac pilot. Additionally, Connell served as the Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Regional Medical Command, Honolulu, Hawaii; the Chief Executive Officer of Stuttgart U.S. Army Medical Health Clinic; the Commander of the 43rd Area Support Medical Battalion; and other medical-related staff positions.
Connell holds a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in international relations from Troy State University. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a graduate of the Disney Institute for Health Care Excellence. Connell is the recipient of the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster award and two Air Medals.
Providence VA Medical Center is part of is an integral part of VISN 1, the VA New England Healthcare System comprised of one main campus located in Providence and three community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) located in New Bedford, and Hyannis, Mass. and Middletown, R.I. VISN 1 is one of 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VISN 1 has 11 medical centers, 45 CBOCs, six community living centers and two domiciliaries.
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