Ask a VA leader: careers in emergency medicine

Treating over 2.5 million Veterans every year, our Emergency Medicine Department is the reason why VA is the nation’s largest provider of emergency services. It’s also one of the reasons why Dr. Chad Kessler, our National Program Director for Emergency Medicine, thinks now is a great time to start a career with VA.

What are some things you’re looking forward to most this year?
Our new research initiatives, for one. We’ve already gotten a few grants funded, and I can’t wait to see what advancements we’ll make. I’m also excited about the possibility for new legislation that would allow our employees to work extra shifts for extra money. That would be a real game-changer for our organization.

How extensive is the Emergency Services team?
It takes a lot of people to serve as many patients as we do, so our team extends throughout the country. And we continue to grow it by recruiting talented, hard-working individuals, including residents from our academic programs. Together, we’re part of an integrated model of care that encourages collaboration with primary care physicians, social workers and other professionals outside of our specialty, which helps set VA apart from most other health systems.

What else do you like about working here?
In addition to offering competitive pay and outstanding benefits, VA has many academic affiliations and partnerships, so there’s always a wealth of professional resources for me to access when I need it.

What qualities do you look for in potential candidates for open positions?
Passionate, dedicated, willing to teach, and committed to the values we hold dear. This is part of what makes our Emergency Medicine Department the best place to practice in America.

If you’re an Emergency Medicine physician interested in a career with our team, reach out to Dr. Chad Kessler at Chad.Kessler@va.gov or explore our opportunities online and apply for one today.