Director, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System

Mr. Rivera was appointed Director of Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 11, 2015. With an operating budget of nearly $350 million, SLVHCS employs approximately 1,300 employees and serves over 66,466 enrolled Veterans in the 23 parishes of Southeast Louisiana. The health care system provides primary and mental health care at all sites and specialty care at selected sites including eight community based outpatient clinics in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Slidell, Hammond, Bogalusa, Franklin, Houma and St. John Parish.  SLVHCS supports more than 500,000 outpatient visits annually.  SLVHCS is affiliated with Tulane and LSU medical schools and was designated as one of nine VA Emerging Centers of Innovation for patient centered care.  SLVHCS was recognized by the National Alliance for Ending Homelessness for being a leader in ending Veteran homelessness.

Fernando O. Rivera served as Interim Network Director in Jackson, MS, also known as VISN 16 from March 31, 2015 to January 10, 2016.  The Network is one of the largest integrated health care systems in VHA with eight hospitals, 49 outpatient clinics and numerous points of care. 

Mr. Rivera is also responsible for the opening of a $1 billion replacement VA Medical Center in New Orleans that will serve as a model for health care of the future and set the standards for patient-centered care, flexibility and sustainability.  The state-of-the-art facility will authentically reflect the culture of the region and be the cornerstone for the emerging biosciences industry in Louisiana.  It includes a 200-bed tertiary care regional referral center that is projected to serve 70,000 enrolled Veterans and is designed to meet the full array of VA missions: health care to America's Veterans, medical education, medical research and national emergency preparedness & response.

Mr. Rivera has served Veterans for 30 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Immediately prior to his appointment as SLVHCS Director, he was the Director of the VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) in the national capital region. Prior to that position, he served as Director at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, the Director at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, and the acting Director at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. From 1984 to 2004, he served in various positions at the VA Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, including Associate Director/COO.

Mr. Rivera earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from the University of New Orleans. He was named VA “Engineer of the Year.” Mr. Rivera is committed to community service on many levels.  He is an honorary member of the Vietnam Memorial Wall Washing Crew and has received the Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award, the Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award and the AMVETS Leadership in Service Award.  He served as Assistant Scout master in Troop 1444 of the National Capital Region Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Rivera and his wife Stacie reside in New Orleans, Louisiana with their three children.