Butler VA gets new interim director
VA Butler Healthcare will have a new interim director starting next week.
Effective Monday, Alan Petrazzi, who has most recently served as program manager for primary care at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, will step into the position held by Patricia O'Kane.
Petrazzi, who was born and raised in Connellsville and spent 10 years post-college in the Grove City area, said he is looking forward to getting back to the Butler area.
“The people are amazing and I mean that very, very sincerely,” he said. “I have many fond memories of the Big Butler Fair and am looking to get back to that. The people are very authentic and very hardworking people and that is the kind of person I am.”
Petrazzi began his career as a licensed physical therapist, worked for the state, and eventually found his way to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he said for the past 11 years he has served as director of rehabilitation with an extended detail as acting associate director at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. He was responsible for overseeing human resources, financial management, health administration, logistics and voluntary service for the seven primary care clinics. Petrazzi currently provides periodic coverage for the deputy director, according to a news release.
Petrazzi said he holds a master's degrees in physical therapy from Duquesne University and public management from Carnegie Mellon University, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the Senior Executive Association and a certified mentor with the VA program, which requires at least 500 hours of mentoring others.
Petrazzi said he plans to work with the staff in Butler to continue to improve the care and services that veterans have earned and deserve.
“I am very aware that it's a great facility with very talented staff and good health outcomes for our patients,” he said. “I want to continue down that path and provide great health care for our veterans. Personally I want to make sure that our service we offer exceeds their expectations.”
