Duane Gill Named Director of VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

LEEDS — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the appointment of Duane Gill as the new director of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, based in Leeds.

“We are excited to have Duane Gill on board as the new director of VA’s healthcare system for VA Central Western Massachusetts,” said Ryan Lilly, network director of the VA New England Healthcare System. “His versatile and proven leadership qualities and healthcare experience will be valuable assets for the network, the employees and volunteers, and, most importantly, for the veterans we are honored to serve. As the former associate director at VA Central Western Mass., he is familiar with patient care and our operations here in New England. We welcome him back to our VA New England family.”

Lilly said he anticipates Gill’s appointment will begin within the next 30 to 45 days.

Gill is a U.S. Navy veteran and fellow for the American College of Healthcare Executives. He received a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Kentucky University.

Gill joined the VA in 2007 as health system specialist to the associate director at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., holding positions of increasing responsibility, and is currently serving as the deputy director of the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System in Aurora, Colo. Gill served as the associate director at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System from July 2014 to August 2017, and also served as acting medical center director at VA hospitals in both Aurora and Louisville, Ky.

In his new role, Gill will be responsible for the delivery of healthcare to approximately 90,000 veterans throughout the five counties of Central and Western Mass. With an operating budget of nearly $250 million and just over 1,000 employees, VA Central Western Mass. conducted nearly 400,000 outpatient visits last year.