Veteran Affairs names new medical center director in Atlanta

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) Department of Veterans Affairs officials say a new director has been hired to lead the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Officials announced Friday that Annette P. Walker will oversee health care delivery at the facility to more than 102,000 veterans with a workforce of 4,700 employees. She starts Sept. 4.

Walker has had a variety of administrative positions in the VA, including her most recent stint as associate director of the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit since 2013. She served as interim director at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago earlier this year.

Walker replaces Leslie Wiggins, who was promoted in December to oversee the VA's network of health facilities across the southeast.

Walker began her VA career as a staff nurse 22 years ago.