The Veterans Affairs Department has terminated three senior leaders of the Phoenix VA Health Care System, the hospital where the VA wait time scandal first surfaced, according to Federal News Radio.
In March, the VA announced its intent to fire three leaders. Now, it has officially dismissed Lance Robinson, the medical center's associate director, Brad Curry, chief of health administration service, and Darren Deering, DO, chief of staff, according to the report.
"We have an obligation to veterans and the American people to take appropriate accountability actions as supported by evidence," Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson said in a statement. "While this process took far too long, the evidence supports these removals and sets the stage for moving forward."
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Curry can both appeal their removals to the Merit Systems Protection Board because they are Title 5 employees. Dr. Deering, a Title 38 employee, can submit a grievance through the VA's administrative process if he wants to appeal his termination.
The VA has fired approximately 2,900 employees since Secretary Bob McDonald assumed office in 2014, according to the report. Sharon Helman, former director of the Phoenix VA medical center, was fired in November 2014.