Leadership Team
Candace Ifabiyi | 316-685-2221 Ext. 53730
Medical Center Director
Ms. Candace Ifabiyi was appointed as the CEO/Director of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, in Wichita, Kansas on August 16, 2020. Ms. Ifabiyi was previously the Associate Director of the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, IL. In that role, she had oversight of the facility’s over $730 million budget and ensured operational efficiency for a Level 1A, 483-bed hospital with 6 community-based outpatient clinics and 3,700 employees. Ms. Ifabiyi is a United States Army Reserves Veteran. During her VA career, Ms. Ifabiyi has held various positions to include serving as Acting Hospital Director at the Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, and the Illiana Health Care System. Ms. Ifabiyi has also held various positions at VA Central Office in Washington, DC where she supported the integration of policy and operations for various national programs. Ms. Ifabiyi is a graduate of the 2016 Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Leadership Program and 2014 VHA Health Care Leadership Development (HCLDP) Program. Ms. Ifabiyi obtained a Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) and Master of Health Administration (MHA) from The University of Memphis and a BA from Sewanee, The University of the South.
Dana Foley, Ph.D. | 316-685-2221 Ext. 53613
Associate Director
Dr. Foley. was appointed as Associate Director for the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (RJDVAMC) in 2018 after serving in the position on a temporary detail for 6 months. Prior to this detail, Dr. Foley was the Chief of Psychology Service at the Oklahoma City VAHCS. She also served as the Acting Assistant Director at Oklahoma City and the Acting VISN 19 Mental Health Lead in Denver. She has worked for VHA since 1989, including her internship at the Cincinnati VAMC. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Oklahoma State University and has been licensed as a psychologist in Oklahoma since 1992. Dr. Foley completed the VA Health Care Leadership Development Program in 2015. She completed the VA Executive Career Development Program (ECDP) in 2018. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Sharon Lien | 316-685-2221 Ext. 56702
Assistant Director
Sharon Lien was appointed as the Acting Assistant Director in May 2018. Prior to this position she was the Executive Assistant to the Medical Center Director from March 2015 through May 2018. Ms. Lien is a full member of the Medical Center’s executive management team and shares in the responsibility for management actions. Before moving to Wichita, Kansas, Ms. Lien served as a Staff Assistant in the VHA Homeless Program at VA Central Office for two years. Prior to that appointment, she served as the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Business Manager of the Facilities Management Service Line at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. Ms. Lien has completed the LEAD programs in both VISN 18 and VISN 15. She joined the VA in 2005 and has served the Department of Veterans Affairs for 13 years. Ms. Lien is an Air Force Veteran.
Geetha Ramesh, MD | 316-651-3731
Acting Chief of Staff
Dr. Ramesh has been a provider with the VA since July 2018. She has been our Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care the past six months. She is well known in the medical center for her clinical excellence, concern for high quality accessible care and respect for all staff. As Associate Chief of Staff for Primary Care, Dr. Ramesh has demonstrated the ability to evaluate patient throughput processes, the function of the medical home model and the appropriateness of clinic schedules. She has focus, vision and the unique ability to problem solve. Dr. Ramesh’s past leadership positions include Chief Resident for the Internal Medicine Program at the University of Maryland Medical Systems and she was the co-chair for the Chief Residents Association of Baltimore, MD.
Julianna Cotton, DNP, RN, NE-BC | 316-685-2221 Ext. 53728
Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive
Julie Cotton has served as the Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center since May 2018. Dr. Cotton served in the role of Deputy Nurse Executive for 15 months prior to her appointment to the ADPCS. She has worked for VHA since 2014. She has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years with a wealth of clinical experience in ICU and ED nursing. She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Walden University. Dr Cotton published her doctoral project “Using a Decision Tree to Increase Nursing Knowledge of Palliative Care.” She contributes to the nursing profession as member of the Kansas State Nurses Association and serves as adjunct faculty in the school of nursing for Wichita State.
