Leadership Team
Russell E Lloyd | 570-821-7204
Medical Center Director
Russell Lloyd has been appointed Medical Center Director for the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center effective October 2, 2016. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Lloyd served as Associate Director for Resources for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) since March 28, 2010. In this capacity, He was responsible for day-to-day operations of a multi-site VA health care system with an annual budget of approximately $544 million and more than 3,400 employees. He started his VA career at the Dallas VA Medical Center first as an Administrative Resident, then a Health System Specialist Trainee and finally as the Administrative Officer for Social Work Service and the Comprehensive Homeless Center. He transferred to the Omaha, Nebraska VA Medical Center as the Staff Assistant to the Director in October 1995. In 1999, he assumed the position of Network Planner in the VA Central Plains Health Network (formerly VISN 14) in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Lloyd joined the VAs VHA Support Service Center as an internal consultant participating in the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) initiative in 2002. He coordinated the development of CARES Market Plans for VISNs 3 & 15. He was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer for the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in December 2004. He served as Chief Financial Officer for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System from April 2006 until October 2008. He served as the Associate Director for Operations for the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. Mr. Lloyd received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He is a certified Federal Financial Manager and a graduate of the VA’s Executive Career Field Candidate Development Program Class of 2008.
Mirza Z. Ali, M.D. | 570-821-7207
Chief of Staff
Dr. Ali has served as Chief of Staff at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center since May 11, 2008. He began his VA career in July 1994 as a staff physician at the VA Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. He transferred to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in October 1994 as Chief of Infectious Diseases where he has remained except for one year, 1997, which he spent at the VAMC in Houston, Texas. Dr. Ali has been in various leadership roles that led to positions as Chief of Infectious Disease, Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, and finally Acting Chief of Staff. Dr. Ali is active in numerous professional organizations and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a Board Certified Internist and Infectious Disease Physician providing clinical care to Veterans. He is a member of the VA Society of Infectious Diseases, and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Ali has been extensively recognized for his participation in teaching medical students and residents and is the recipient of Best Teacher awards. He has published in infectious disease journals and presented at national meetings of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Dr. Ali has also been an invited speaker at national meetings such as Vista E-Health University. He graduated from the Healthcare Leadership Institute in February 2007 and was instrumental in developing a Research Program at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. He also attended the "115th Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives" in March 2009. Dr. Ali was born in Hyderabad, India, and received his Medical Degree from Osmania University. He trained in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University in Michigan and Infectious Disease at the University of California, in Los Angeles.
Joseph F. Sharon | 570-821-7206
Associate Director
Joe Sharon was designated Associate Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania effective July 14, 2013. Previous to his selection, he served in the role on an interim basis starting in February of 2013. As the Associate Director, Mr. Sharon supervises the office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager along with the following administrative product lines: Facilities Management Services, Fiscal Service, Human Resource Services, Police Service/Emergency Preparedness, Voluntary Service, Nutrition and Food Services, Environmental Management Services, Logistics Service and Canteen Service. Mr. Sharon's previous VA service career included assignments as the Chief of Pharmacy Service at the Wilkes-Barre, PA. Prior to this, Mr. Sharon has many years of experience managing various services for private sector facilities. Mr. Sharon has a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from Temple University, a Doctor's degree in Pharmacy from the University of Florida and a Masters in Health Care Administration from Scranton University. Mr. Sharon is married to Gloria Sharon; they have three children.
Valerie M. Boytin | 570-821-7238
Nurse Executive
Mrs. Valerie Boytin was appointed Nurse Executive in April of 2012. She joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1979 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Mental Health and Behavioral Services at the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Administration Medical Center. Since that time she has served in various capacities to include Associate Chief Nurse for Behavioral and Acute Services, Associate Chief for Primary Care Services, Associate Chief of Staff for Special Programs, and Interim Nurse Executive. Mrs. Boytin is a graduate of Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania. She holds a master's degree in Mental Health Nursing. Mrs. Boytin is a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War. She retired from the United States Army Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mrs. Boytin is an active member of numerous professional, civic, and military organizations.
