SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs named Douglas Hughes as Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Health Care. Starting July 5 Hughes will oversee operations for Minnesota’s five State Veterans Homes and Health Care Division. 

Hughes has leadership experience in both the military and business sectors, in health care related areas. He is a retired military Veteran who served in the Army’s Special Forces for a majority of his career, with several international and instructor assignments. He joined 3M in 2001 as an Advanced Regulatory Associate (Latin America), ultimately moving up to the position of Regional Business Manager (Latin America). For the past five  years he has worked at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System to provide VA oversight of over 60 private nursing homes for Veterans receiving VA funded nursing home care and oversight of over 100 private home care agencies providing VA paid home care.

“Mr. Hughes’ focus on process improvement and achieving results will be a great fit for our Veterans Homes,” said Commissioner Larry Shellito, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. “He has an exceptional balance of data-driven operations and Veteran-focused environments. We are pleased to have him join our team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing the best care possible to this country’s heroes.” 

In his new role Deputy Commissioner Hughes will be responsible for operations that include a variety of care levels and locations. The Homes provide person-centered care delivered according to the individual needs of each Resident. The 24/7 facilities provide a combination of skilled nursing care, special care units for dementia and Alzheimer's, domiciliary care, rehabilitation services, recreational therapy, adult day services and work therapy programs. Minnesota's five state Veterans Homes are located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.

“Working with Veterans, their families and the dedicated staff at the Minneapolis VA created a passion in me for Veteran centric heath care that I will definitely carry over to MDVA,” Hughes said.
 
Hughes holds a Masters in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Spanish from the University of St. Thomas. His nursing coursework was completed through the University of St. Catherine.

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About the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is a cabinet level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes,  MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veteran’s preference. For more information visit MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet.