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For Immediate Release
December 20, 2007
Fact Sheet: Lt. Gen. James B. Peake (Ret.), M.D.: "A Worthy and Strong Leader" for Our Nation's Veterans
President Bush Participates In Ceremonial Swearing-In Of Former Army
Surgeon General With Lifetime Of Military Medical Experience As VA Secretary
President Bush Attends Swearing In of Secretary of Veterans Affairs
"The Secretary is charged with a solemn responsibility: to ensure our
nation's veterans receive the care and the benefits they deserve. Dr. Jim
Peake has the skills and experience to carry out this mission. He is both
the first physician and the first general to lead this department.
Throughout his long career, Dr. Peake has worked to improve the way we
deliver medical care to our troops. And thanks to his efforts, many who
once might have died on the battlefield have returned home to live lives of
hope and promise."
- President George W. Bush, 12/20/07
President Bush: "I Am Confident That You Will Have A Worthy And Strong
Leader In Our New Secretary"
Dr. Peake was awarded the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with 'V' device and
oak leaf cluster, and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster for his service in
Vietnam as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division.
-
Dr. Peake was wounded twice in battle and received his acceptance letter to
Cornell University Medical College while in the hospital recovering from
injury. He attended medical school through an Army scholarship and then
returned to the Army for his medical internships and residencies.
-
As Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) noted, Dr. Peake's "time as an infantry
officer gave [him] a unique warrior's perspective on how our wounded should
be cared for."
(Committee On Appropriations, Subcommittee On Defense,
Hearing, U.S. Senate, 4/8/04)
From 2000 to 2004, Dr. Peake served as the 40th Surgeon General of the
United States Army. In this position, he commanded 50,000 medical
personnel and 187 army medical facilities worldwide with an operating
budget of almost $5 billion.
Dr. Peake was also commander in several medical posts, and is credited with
improving the training and techniques of the Army medical force. Notably,
Dr. Peake served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Department
Center and School - the largest medical training facility in the world,
with over 30,000 students.
Dr. Peake has been honored with the Order of Military Medical Merit; the
"A" Professional Designator; and the Medallion, Surgeon General of the
United States. His awards and decorations also include the Distinguished
Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with
three oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf
clusters, and an Air Medal. Dr. Peake wears the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Dr. Peake's Private Sector Experience Managing Medical Examinations For
Veterans And Separating Soldiers Further Qualifies Him To Serve As VA
Secretary
Dr. Peake recently served as the Chief Medical Director and Chief Operating
Officer of QTC Management, Inc. QTC serves veterans and separating
soldiers by providing timely medical examination and electronic medical
record services to help government agencies manage medical data and
information in a cost-effective manner.
From 2004 to 2006, Dr. Peake was the Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Project HOPE, a non-profit international health
foundation with offices and programs in more than 30 different countries on
five continents. While at Project HOPE, Dr. Peake helped to orchestrate
the use of civilian volunteers aboard the Navy Hospital Ship Mercy as it
responded to the tsunami in Indonesia and aboard the Hospital Ship Comfort
as part of the Hurricane Katrina response.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "An Extraordinary Career Of Service"
President's Commission On Care For America's Returning Wounded Warriors
Co-Chair And Former Senator Bob Dole: "He's been on both sides. He was a patient after he was wounded in Vietnam, and he spent much of his career as
a caregiver." (Michael A. Fletcher and William Branigin, "Ex-Army Doctor,
Vietnam Vet Nominated As VA Secretary," The Washington Post, 10/31/07)
American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser: "He seems uniquely qualified to lead the department." ("Legion Pleased Peake Tapped to Lead Veterans Affairs," Press Release, 10/30/07)
VFW National Commander George Lisicki: Gen. Peake "certainly has the
prerequisite credentials and organizational skills to lead the
second-largest federal department." ("VFW Hopes New Nominee is a Strong
Veterans Advocate," Press Release, 10/30/07)
The San Antonio Express News: "It is clear that the department needs
someone with his credentials in medicine." (Editorial, "VA Nominee Boasts
The Right Experience," The San Antonio [TX] Express-News, 11/6/07)
The Orlando Sentinel: "His bona fides are indisputable." (Editorial, "The
Right Choice," The Orlando [FL] Sentinel, 11/5/07)
The Chicago Sun-Times: "For the first time ever, a doctor and military
general has been named to lead the Veterans Affairs." (Editorial, "Nominee
Just Might Be The One We Need To Head The VA," The Chicago Sun-Times,
11/1/07)
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