New Dayton VA director will be first woman in its 150-year history

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday that Jill Dietrich will take over as director of the Dayton VA Medical Center after former director Glenn Costie retired in the fall.

Dietrich is expected to assume the role in 30-45 days. She most recently served in Washington DC VA Medical center in roles including acting deputy director and acting associate director from May 2017 to February 2018. Before that, she was associate director at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System in California since June 2015

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Dietrich will be the first female director in the Dayton VA’s 150-year history. She is an Indiana native who holds law and business degrees from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland.

“(Dietrich’s) sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve,” said Robert McDivitt, director of the VA region that includes Ohio.

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Dietrich will oversee a network including the Dayton VA hospital and clinics in Springfield, Middletown, Lima and Richmond, Indiana, that altogether serve more than 40,000 veterans and have a $408 million budget.

Upcoming efforts Dietrich will oversee include a renovation of the headquarters building that will involve building a national archive for the VA, the opening of a home to loved ones to stay at to be close to veterans who are getting impatient care, and the relocation of the Lima clinic.

Costie retired in October to take a role with Ohio Hospice, where he is helping improve services and care for veterans. Costie’s career earned him a reputation for crisis control. He was brought to Dayton after an investigation of a dentist not following proper hygiene procedures, and was dispatched to the Phoenix VA amid a scandal over wait times there.

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Dr. Thomas Hardy, Dayton VA chief of staff, has served as interim director since Costie left and will continue in that role until Dietrich takes over.

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