VA Western New York Healthcare System at Buffalo and Batavia Leadership

	David J. West, FACHE Interim Medical Center Director (716) 862-8529 David J. West, FACHE has been named Interim Medical Center Director at VA Western New York Healthcare System effective December 7. Mr. West has been the Medical Center Director at the Bath VA Medical Center since April 29, 2007. Prior to being appointed Director for the Bath VA, Mr. West served as Associate Director at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center.
	Suzanne M. Klinker Associate Director (716) 862-8526 Suzanne M. Klinker joined VA Western New York Healthcare System as associate medical center director in February 2007. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Klinker served as acting associate director at VA medical center in Alexandria, Louisiana, supervisory health system specialist and acting associate director at the Michael E. DeBakey VA medical center in Houston, Texas and at VA Eastern Kansas health care system in Topeka and Leavenworth. Ms Klinker serves on the Veterans Health Administration System-wide Ongoing Assessment and Review Strategy (SOARS) program team. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in management from Baker University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Junior League of Houston, Houston Food Bank, and Kansas State University (KSU) Alumni Association.
	Dennis Heberling Associate Director Batavia: (585) 297-1049 Buffalo: (716) 862-6371 Dennis Heberling was appointed Assistant Medical Center Director of VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) April 29, 2007. As assistant director his role will be to lead the Batavia Division. Prior to this appointment Mr. Heberling served VAWNYHS as the acting Associate Medical Center Director from 1998 to 2004 and 2006 to 2007; as Facility Manager from 1998 to 2007. He had a lead role in the consolidation of VA Batavia and Buffalo to VAWNYHS; in VAWNYHS’s transition from in-patient to out-patient care focus; lead VAWNYHS Capital Asset and Realignment Enhance System (CARES) initiative, including creating an enhanced-use lease at the Batavia Division. Heberling serves on the Veterans Health Administration System-wide Ongoing Assessment and Review Strategy program. He has served as a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; as a member and National Board representative for the American Society of Healthcare Environmental Service. In 1996 Heberling was selected as Veterans Administration Chief, Environmental Management Manager of the year. Mr. Heberling earned his Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration from State University of New York at Brockport and an undergraduate degree at State University of New York at Buffalo in Business Administration.
	Miguel Rainstein M.D.  Chief of Staff (716) 862-6078 Dr. Miguel Rainstein was selected as chief of staff, VA Western New York Healthcare System, December 7, 2008. He has been acting chief of staff since April 2008 and previous to this appointment, he held the position of Chief of Surgery at this facility. As Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Rainstein has the responsibility to provide quality patient care and to coordinate all professional activities to fulfill that mission. He supervises the operation of both the Buffalo and Batavia sites, as well as community based outpatient clinics in Jamestown, Dunkirk, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Olean and Warsaw. Dr. Rainstein received his undergraduate degree and his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires. He completed his surgical residency at Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1979. He is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and also holds membership in the Buffalo Surgical Society.
	Lizabeth M. Weiss, R.N., C.N.A. Associate Director for Patient/Nursing Services (716) 862-8537 Ms. Lizabeth M. Weiss, Registered Nurse (RN) was assigned to the Nurse Executive position at VA Western New York Healthcare System beginning July 2000. Prior to this assignment, she served in progressively responsible roles including staff nurse, Head Nurse, Associate Nurse Executive, Customer Service Liaison and Care Line Manager in Behavior Health at VA Western New York Healthcare System. Ms. Weiss received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York and her Master of Science in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Board Certified Nurse Administrator. She has received the Certificate in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University, School of industrial and Labor Relations, a statutory college of the State University of New York. As the Nurse Executive, Ms. Weiss is accountable for the delivery of all nursing care in VA Western New York Healthcare System provided within VA WNY Healthcare System. She plans, develops and maintains a comprehensive program, inclusive of professional nursing practices, to ensure compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs directives, Joint Commission standards, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation (CARF) and confidentiality regulations. Ms. Weiss assures the implementation and maintenance of standards for professional and para-professional nursing practices throughout VA WNY Healthcare System. Ms. Weiss provides consultantation to management on policy, quality of care assessments and resources utilization for the medical center. Ms. Weiss is currently an Adjunct Faculty member of the School of Nursing at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has been a guest lecturer at Daemon College, Buffalo, New York, and with the International Institute for Research based in Chicago and New York.