Sanford M. Garfunkel Appointed Network Director for
VA Capitol Health Care Network
By R. David Edwards
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Sanford M. Garfunkel |
Sanford M. Garfunkel was appointed as the director for the VA Capitol Health Care Network on April 29, 2007. As the network director, Garfunkel leads one of VA’s 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) throughout the country with direct responsibility for five VA inpatient facilities and 15 community based outpatient clinics. The VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) serves veterans throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia, in addition to portions of Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. With over 5,900 employees and an annual budget of approximately 650 million dollars, the VA Capitol Health Network is one of the largest integrated health care delivery systems in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Prior to his appointment as the network director, Garfunkel served as the director of the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., since April 16, 1995. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the management, operations and administration of a 171-bed tertiary care facility with specialized services in medicine,surgery, neurology and psychiatry, in addition to a 120-bed Comprehensive Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and a research facility.
Garfunkel began his VA career in 1971 as a management analyst at the Bronx VA Medical Center. He went on to hold management level positions at the VA medical centers in Manhattan, East Orange, N.J., and Brooklyn. During his tenure as the director of the VA Medical Center in New York, the facility received recognition as a leader in quality patient care, research and education. Garfunkel has also served in assignments at VA Central Office in Washington, D.C.
A native of New York City, Garfunkel received his undergraduate degree from Baruch College, City College of New York, and his master’s in health administration from Baruch College and the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York.
Garfunkel, who is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, has received numerous awards and served on a variety of national planning committees throughout his 36-year career in health care management.
VA Maryland Health Care System