The five state-operated veterans homes in Minnesota have permanent leadership for the first time in more than two years, selecting a man who served in the military and has experience in business and health care.
Douglas Hughes will take over as deputy commissioner of veterans health care starting Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs announced Thursday.
Hughes is succeeding Andrew Burnside, who has been the interim deputy commissioner since February and is returning to directing the state's veterans home in Hastings. The appointment fills a void left since Michael Gallucci resigned two years into the job. A Star Tribune story in December 2013 reported continuing problems at the Minneapolis veterans home and concerns of a former deputy commissioner who wrote to Gov. Mark Dayton about Gallucci's management style, which was described as intimidating and adversarial.
Hughes has worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis five years. For the past two, he was acting director of health care, overseeing VA-funded care for veterans at more than 60 private nursing homes and 100-plus private home care agencies.
Hughes' background also includes military and business experience. He served the majority of his time in Special Forces. Before joining the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, he worked for Maplewood-based 3M, starting in 2001 and moving up to regional business manager in Latin America.
The state's veterans homes, in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay, provide a range of care, from adult day services to specialized units for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
