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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The director of the Clarksburg Veterans Affairs health care system, which endured scrutiny for long wait times, will retire next month after 38 years in federal veterans work.
Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center Director Beth Brown will retire May 31, hospital spokesman Wesley Walls told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
In an emailed statement, Brown said it has been her long-term plan to retire this year.
"Hundreds, if not thousands, of Veterans have impacted my life and have served as my motivation throughout my career," Brown said in an email.
A June 2014 audit said the Clarksburg VA had some of the longest wait times in the country, particularly in mental health and specialty care. The medical center serves about 22,000 veterans, a number that has stayed relatively flat, Brown has said.
Brown questioned last year's audit numbers for the Clarksburg hospital. She says delays have decreased.
Brown was appointed the Clarksburg director in March 2012.
She served as associate medical center director for operations at the VA Medical Center in Louisville from 2007 to 2012.
She filled various roles at VA centers in Northampton, Massachusetts; San Antonio and Temple, Texas; Butler, Pennsylvania; and Iron Mountain, Michigan.
She earned a master's degree in health care administration from South Texas University.
VA medical center director salaries range from $120,749 to $181,500, or from $145,000 to $265,000 for qualified physicians, said VA spokeswoman Kerry Meeker.
Brown earned $157,402 annually in her role, Meeker said.
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