James Tuchschmidt, MD, MM
Director 

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Portland, Oregon

Dr. Tuchschmidt was appointed the Director of the Portland VA Medical Center on May 14, 1998, by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jim had been the Chief Medical Officer for the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 since May 1996.

As the VISN 20 CMO, Jim led the effort of VISN 20 to implement an Integrated Delivery System (the organization and coordinated delivery of clinical services) across VISN 20’s eight facilities. This work created a more seamless system of care for veterans, regardless of which facility or clinic they go to in the VISN.

During his tenure with the VA he has, and continues to, influence national efforts for sustainable change in the VA’s goal to become an accountable, patient-centered, efficient provider of quality healthcare. He has made many national contributions by assuming leadership roles and generating innovative approaches that include: education on strategic planning for implementation of managed care and clinically integrated delivery systems, and the VA’s approach to funding based on patient populations, patient needs, and performance measurement. He is an advocate for focusing on measurable outcomes in healthcare delivery. He currently chairs the VHA Visual Impairment Advisory Board and is a member of the VHA National Leadership Board’s Finance Committee.

Jim graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1980. He did his post doctorate training in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Pulmonary Disease at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. He graduated Cum Laude from Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management with a Masters of Management in 1997.

Jim maintains membership in several professional and academic organizations, and a diplomate status in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

This biography was updated August 2004.

John “Jack” Dryden was appointed the Chief of Staff (COS) of the Portland VA Medical Center (PVAMC) on March 13, 2005, following an eight month period serving as the Acting Chief of Staff. Dr. Dryden also serves as the Assistant Dean for Veterans Affairs and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

A native Oregonian, Dr. Dryden began his career as a high school and college vocational instructor, earning his Masters in Education at Oregon State University in 1977. After several gratifying years in teaching, he began a new path, entering OHSU to pursue a career in medicine, and received his Medical Degree in 1988. He completed his Internship and Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Washington, receiving his Masters in Rehabilitative Medicine in 1992. Dr. Dryden is specialty boarded in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Spinal Cord Injury. In 1993, Dr. Dryden joined the PVAMC as a Staff Physician in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. In 1995, he was selected as Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Dryden provides leadership for the management and operations of the Medical Practice Group (MPG), which is composed of the medical center’s clinical divisions across the two campuses (Portland and Vancouver) and three Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (Bend, Salem, and Camp Rilea). The divisions in MPG consist of Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, Mental Health, Operative Care, and Rehab & Long Term Care. Additionally, he oversees the Medical Center’s Education Division, Medical Professional Services, and the Quality & Performance Division. His scope of responsibility includes oversight of the Graduate Medical Education and Research Programs. Dr. Dryden serves as the principal liaison for PVAMC’s affiliation with OHSU for clinical programs, and participates as a member of the VA/OHSU Task Force to further develop and strengthen the relationship between the organizations.

Dr. Dryden has been involved locally and nationally on a multitude of committees and task forces, working to improve the care of our veterans through improved models of care delivery, access, and resource utilization. He was a member of the VA Central Office Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Advisory Board from 1997-2000, and has served on the VA Central Office Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Task Force since 2003. Regionally, Dr. Dryden is a member of the VISN 20 Clinical Council and the VISN 20 Specialty Care Committee. Locally, as Chief of Staff, Dr. Dryden chairs the Medical Staff Council and the General Medical Staff meetings, and serves as a Co-Chair for the PVAMC Patient Safety Committee.

Dr. Dryden lives in Vancouver, Washington with his wife, Marilyn.

Ms. Chapman was appointed Deputy Director in 2002, after serving in the Acting capacity for two years. As Deputy Director, she is responsible for the supervision and management of the day to day operations of the medical center, coordinating and integrating the interface between the business units of Medical Practice, Medical Center Operations, Technology and Information Services, and Financial Support.

In addition to Deputy Director, Ms. Chapman is the Chief Nurse Executive responsible for the practice of 500 Registered Nurses and 120 Licensed Practical Nurses at the medical center’s two campuses and three Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. In her dual role, she is a member of the top executive management team of the Medical Center, serving as the Medical Center Director during his absence. Kathy works with the Director, VISN20 Network staff, and Central Office staff to ensure that organizational priorities are met and outcomes achieved.

Ms. Chapman chairs the Executive Management Team, the highest decision-making body at the organization. She also chairs the Medical Center Budget Work Group, the Community Resource Board, the Utilization Management Committee, and Nursing Professional Council. At the Network level, Kathy participates as a member of Executive Leadership Council, Partnership Council, Staff Focus Council (Chair of the Nursing Subcommittee), and Clinical Council. Nationally, Kathy is a member of the Nursing Workforce Planning-Goal 4 Committee, and chairs the monthly national Magnet Culture conference call. She also serves nationally as a mentor for Executive Career Field candidates.

Ms Chapman began at the Portland VA Medical Center in April of 1996 when she was appointed the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE). Kathleen comes from the greater Chicago metropolitan area where she served in a number of administrative capacities in community, academic, and tertiary medical centers in the private sector. For the eight years immediately prior to her appointment at Portland, she held the position of Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive at LaGrange Memorial Hospital in LaGrange, Illinois.
Raised in the Midwest, Ms. Chapman graduated from the Arthur B. Ancker Memorial School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a diploma in Nursing, and received her Bachelors and Masters in Nursing degrees from the University of Illinois College of Nursing, Chicago. She is certified in Nursing Administration, Advanced from the American Nurses’ Association Credentialing Center, and holds Healthcare Executive certification as a Fellow from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Ms. Chapman has an Affiliate Faculty appointment at Oregon Health and Science University, is a member of the Oregon ACHE Regent’s Advisory Council, a member of the Western VA ACHE Regent’s Advisory Council, and the President’s Advisory Council of the University of Portland.
Ms Chapman is married and has three children – two sons and a daughter.

This biography was updated June 2005.

In October 2006, David Stockwell was appointed as the Deputy Director, Administration and Finance of the Portland VAMC. He has graduated from the Health Care Leadership Institute, and Interagency Institute, and the National VA mentoring program.

From June 2001 until October 2006, Mr. Stockwell was the Associate Director of the Alaska VA Health System and Regional Office (AVAHSRO). Mr. Stockwell came to the AVAHSRO from the VA Northern California Health Care System and San Francisco VAMC where he served as a Health Systems Specialist in the Joint Planning Office from 1998-2001. Mr. Stockwell was involved in the planning oversight of the new inpatient facility in Sacramento, California as well as developing a new budget model for use within the facility. During his tenure in Alaska he also participated in VISN20 after-hours tele-health evaluation, Fee Basis Hot team, ACA steering committee, Associate Director council, the Capital Asset Committee, the VA Information Technology Advisory Council, and VA/DoD joint venture national speaker.

Mr. Stockwell is a native of California and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Portland State University and a Masters of Health Administration degree from Baylor University. He joined the VA in 1988 and has enjoyed assignments at the VA Medical Centers in Portland, Little Rock, Tuscaloosa, Martinez, and Sacramento prior to his tenure in Alaska. Mr. Stockwell participated in the VA Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program in San Antonio, Texas while earning his degree from Baylor University in 1998. He has also served as member of the VA Supply Automation Advisory Network from 1995-1997 and as a member of the national VA Logistics work group in 1996.