Former UW-Madison Chancellor and current United States Department of Health and Human Services secretary Donna Shalala was appointed by President Bush Tuesday to lead an investigation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Shalala, along with former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, will head the investigation of recent complaints made by wounded soldiers and family members regarding patient care.
""It's an enormous deal because this is one of those issues in which ... the commission of inquiry—which are usually formed to make things go away—could actually produce a report that could lead to legislation and change,"" UW-Madison history professor Alfred McCoy said. ""And there's no person on the planet better suited for this incredibly important national council than Donna Shalala.""
McCoy praised Shalala's leadership as head of HHS during the Clinton administration.
""She's a brilliant administrator ... needless to say she went on to Washington where she had eight years of running the largest single program in the federal government,"" McCoy said. ""If you're doing your job, you can be assured that she'll know about it and she'll support you 100 percent and if you mess around, she can be as tough as needs be.""
McCoy added Shalala, as chancellor, oversaw the UW-Madison Medical School, one of the largest medical schools in the country, which prepared her for this position.
""Donna Shalala is an unappreciated national treasure,"" McCoy said.
—Amanda Hoffstrom
