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    Robert M. Walton, FACHE

    Network Director
    VISN 5

    Mr. Robert M. Walton, FACHE, was appointed network director for Veterans Integrated Service Network 5 in February 2019. As chief executive, he oversees eight medical centers and 28 community clinics throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, staffed by over 12,000 employees, with 1792 authorized beds, and a budget of $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2024.
    Beginning in 2015, he managed the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, a two-hospital health care system with an annual budget of $755 million and 4000 employees. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Walton served as director of the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen, Texas. He also served as the medical center director at the White River Junction VA Medical Center from October 2008 – April 2012. Before Mr. Walton’s tenure at White River Junction VA, he served as associate medical center director at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York from May 2004 – October 2008.
    Mr. Walton served as acting director at VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System from February-September 2008. He served as chief, Engineering from 1993-2004 at the Bronx VAMC. Mr. Walton began his VA career as a general engineer trainee in 1986 at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
    Mr. Walton has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration degree in Health Administration from Long Island University. He is a graduate of the VHA Executive Career Field Program and participated in the VA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. Mr. Walton is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds membership in the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

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