Leadership Team
Candace Ifabiyi, MHA, MSBA, PMP | 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. In this capacity she oversees a level 2 complexity hospital with 5 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and 1,400 employees. Ms. Ifabiyi was previously the COO/Associate Director of the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, IL where 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 Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Leadership Program and 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. In 2021, she was recognized and received an award from the WBJ’s 40 under 40 as a top young professional in Wichita, KS.
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.
Sameh F. Moawad, MBChB, DO, FACHE | 316-651-3731
Chief of Staff
Sameh F. Moawad MBChB, DO, FACHE, was appointed as Chief of Staff for the Robert J. Dole VAMC on August 30, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Moawad demonstrated outstanding leadership as the Executive Physician and Chief of Staff of Amarillo VAHCS for three years. During his tenure as Chief of Staff in Amarillo, Dr. Moawad also served as Interim Director. He previously served as the Amarillo Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory care for over two years. Dr. Moawad has over 25 years of health care experience and has been a distinguished Healthcare Executive as the Executive Physician with both Veterans Health Administration as well as in the private sector. Dr. Moawad achieved Fellow status and board certification with the American College of Healthcare Executives in June 2021. He is board certified in Family Medicine with the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Moawad served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and then Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine with Texas Tech University Health Science Center from 2017-2021. Dr. Moawad earned his first Medical Degree (MBChB) from Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt. He also earned his second Medical Degree as a Doctor of Osteopathy and Surgery from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, of NYIT. Dr. Moawad completed a Family Medicine Residency with Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine/Virginia Tech, BRMC. After that, Dr. Moawad served as Clinical Assistant professor of Family Medicine with Edward Via Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Tech. Dr. Moawad completed the Healthcare Leadership Development Program (HCLDP) in 2018 through the VHA Healthcare Leadership Talent Institute. He has also completed a course on the Art of Successful Collaboration with The Center of Leadership Development – Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in 2021. He serves on the national level as the Physician Liaison of the VHA Risk Management advisory Council (CRM) and as the physician advisor to Risk Management Boot Camp for physician leaders.
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.
