MARION - One of the men responsible for overseeing operations at the VA Medical Center in Marion last year when at least nine men died because of substandard surgery has been promoted to a quality-control post for the entire veterans health care system.

To the displeasure of the region's federal lawmakers, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James Peake appointed Dr. Peter Almenoff as Assistant Deputy Under-Secretary for Health and Quality Safety in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and Barack Obama, D-Chicago, along with U.S. Reps. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, voiced their disapproval in a letter sent Wednesday to Peake.

In the letter, the legislators describe Almenoff as a VA official with a "questionable track record of ensuring quality and safety at a VA medical care facility in Illinois."

They said the VA reviewed the Marion facility after the deaths and found easily identifiable problems there.

"We are not aware of any efforts by the network to fix these problems in the months before the spike in mortality levels," they wrote. "Indeed, the department's reviews identified certain deficiencies with the network led by Dr. Almenoff.

"The role of the network in the failure of the Marion facility was never formally reviewed," they said. "Nor were network officials included in the Administrative Board of Investigation review.

"Instead, the VA has promoted the director, who should have been aware of the mismanagement at Marion - mismanagement that led to the deaths of veterans who had every right to trust that they would receive quality medical care."

The legislators said it is difficult for them to understand the decision to promote Almenoff.

"News of his promotion will be frustrating for the veterans who rely on the Marion medical center, particularly since quality and safety issues were at the forefront of the facility's troubles," they said. "It may also be of concern to veterans nationally, as Dr. Almenoff presumably will be responsible for quality and safety issues for the entire VA."

The legislators told Peake they would appreciate an explanation for the decision to promote Almenoff and a full description of his new responsibilities, along with any information the VA may have about his efforts as director of the Heartland Network to ensure high-quality medical care at Marion.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth was in Southern Illinois on Wednesday. One of her stops was at the Marion facility, where a DAV cash grant paid for the purchase of three new vans to transport VA patients.

Duckworth said she has "concerns" with the appointment but will "reserve judgment" before speaking in detail.

Last month in a meeting with the four Illinois lawmakers, Peake announced that a new leadership team will be put in place this fall at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion and added that he would be visiting the hospital campus as soon as time allows.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

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