I’m honored to share that I have been selected to serve as the Executive Director of the Health Service Area (HSA) 5.5, which oversees VA care throughout the Pacific from the Hawaiian Islands, to American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, as well as the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic in the Philippines.

Having previously served in an interim role, I’m truly grateful for the chance to continue working alongside an incredible team that shows up every day with one purpose: to serve you and your families with the care, respect, and dedication you deserve.

My goal is to ensure our work reflects the VA’s ICARE values—Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence—in everything we do. These values guide how we serve, how we communicate, and how we continue to improve.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on making real progress by strengthening access to care, improving communication, and working more closely with our community partners, local leaders, and Veteran organizations. Strong partnerships make a real difference—they allow us to expand services, reach more Veterans, and build a system that’s easier to navigate and more responsive to your needs.

I’m thankful for the trust you’ve placed in us and for the responsibility to move our healthcare system forward. We’ve made meaningful strides, but we know there’s more work to do. And we’re committed to doing that work through action, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving those who served.

On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your service and for allowing us the privilege of caring for you. I look forward to continuing this journey together and building an even stronger future for Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors across the Pacific.

 

One Team, One Ohana!

Thomas A. Steinbrunner, FACHE

VISN 5 - Health Service Area 5.5 Director

Veterans Health Administration