VAMHCS PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Recent Additions and Promotions

	Glenn A. Costie was appointed as the associate director for operations for the VAMHCS in September 2006. Prior to coming to the VAMHCS, Costie served as the chief of Engineering Service for the VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. In his capacity as associate director for operations, Costie leads the day-to-day operations of Acquisition & Materiel Management, Environmental Management, Information Security, Nutrition & Food, Pastoral Care, Pharmacy and Police Services for the VAMHCS. Costie also serves as the site manager for the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Loch Raven VA campus. A native of Virginia, Costie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech.
	M. Suzanne Hook, RN, MSN, has been appointed as the new associate chief nurse for surgery for the VAMHCS. Prior to assuming her current position, Hook served as the nurse manager of the Operating Room and Sterile Processing at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. As the associate chief nurse for surgery, Hook is responsible for nursing practices and operations for the Surgical Care Clinical Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. Hook received her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1984 and her master’s in nursing education in 1993 from the University of Maryland.
	Dr. Richard N. Pierson III was appointed the director, Surgical Care Clinical Center in June 2006. Pierson, who is also a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, joined the VA Maryland Health Care System and the University of Maryland in 2002. He received his medical degree from the Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons. His postgraduate clinical training included general surgery at the University of Michigan, cardiac and thoracic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a clinical and research fellowship in cardiothoracic transplantation at Papworth Hospital at Cambridge University. Dr. Pierson is board certified in general and thoracic surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America every year since 2002.
	Dr. Paul S. Fishman was appointed the chief, Neurology Service for the VA Maryland Health Care System effective December 24, 2006. He previously served as the acting chief of Neurology Service. Dr. Fishman received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University and a doctoral degree from Yale University in Neurobiology. His postgraduate clinical training included a neurology residency and a fellowship in neurology/cell biology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Fishman is board certified in neurology and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Medical-Scientific Board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland.
	Dr. Christine LaGana was appointed as the associate chief of staff for Education and Academic Affiliations for the VAMHCS on January 21, 2007. Prior to assuming this position, Dr. LaGana served as the acting director, Mental Health Clinical Center, VAMHCS. She joined the VA as a clinical psychologist in 1978. Dr. LaGana received her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Peter’s College, New Jersey in 1970. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Rochester, N.Y.