Derek Coughenour PT, DPT, MPM, CLD, VHA-CM

Prior to his appointment as Director, Dr. Coughenour served as the Associate Director of the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, a position he began in April, 2018. While Associate Director, Dr. Coughenour served a temporary detail as the Interim Deputy Director at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Dr. Coughenour has more than 18 years of healthcare management and leadership experience in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to his leadership positions at the James E. Van Zandt VA, Dr. Coughenour served as the Director of Rehabilitation Services at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. He completed his residency in Pittsburgh and has served at VA since 2003.

Dr. Coughenour is the co-recipient of three Federal Executive Board, Excellence in Government Awards in 2012, 2014, and 2016. He graduated from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Leadership Veterans Affairs (LVA) program for executives in 2016. He completed the VISN 4 Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in 2012. He earned a Master’s in Public Management (Healthcare) from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from The Pennsylvania State University. Coughenour is also certified in leadership development, a VHA-Certified Mentor, and trained on Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to benefit organizational performance and outcomes.