RimaAnn Nelson, an official at the Veterans Department, recently found herself at the center of controversy following a memo she issued that called for the removal of the iconic World War II photo of a Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square from all VA medical buildings. The memo, which was later rescinded, cited the department’s “no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault” as the reason for the photo’s proposed removal. This incident has reignited discussions about Nelson’s past controversies during her tenure at the VA.
Nelson’s appointment as the head of the Phoenix VA in 2016 sparked outrage among lawmakers, including then Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and former Republican Rep. Matt Salmon. They expressed concerns over Nelson’s previous leadership at the St. Louis VA hospital, where she served as director from 2009 to 2013. During her time in St. Louis, veterans were reportedly exposed to HIV and hepatitis due to inadequate sterilization of equipment. An investigation found that staff had not been trained to sterilize equipment properly, contributing to infections among veterans.
Despite these issues, Nelson reportedly received more than $25,000 in bonuses. Her tenure in St. Louis only ended when she transferred to a facility in the Philippines, where she earned $160,000 per year in a country known for its low cost of living.
Nelson’s leadership of the Phoenix VA was also controversial. The facility was ranked as one of the worst in the country in 2017, after her hiring in 2016. Despite these challenges, VA Secretary Denis McDonough has defended Nelson, stating that she has dedicated her career to serving veterans and will remain at the VA.
The recent memo incident and Nelson’s controversial history have led to calls for her firing from lawmakers, including Montana Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke. They criticized the proposed policy as ill-conceived and questioned the Veterans Health Administration’s organizational structure and the qualifications of some of its core management.
As the VA continues to deliver healthcare to a growing number of veterans, the department’s leadership and policies remain under scrutiny. Nelson’s role as Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations comes at a time when nearly 70% of VA hospitals are outperforming non-VA hospitals, according to the department. However, the recent controversy over the iconic WWII photo and Nelson’s past leadership challenges highlight the complexities of managing veterans’ healthcare and the importance of addressing concerns within the VA’s organizational structure.