Darwin G. Goodspeed, FACHE, was appointed as Director of the Central Iowa Health Care System (CIHCS) by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on May 9, 2022. He is responsible for a Joint Commission accredited level 2 facility with 61 acute beds, 60 domiciliary beds and 108 Community Living Center (CLC) beds. The facility offers a full range of primary, emergency, specialty, and long-term care to Veterans throughout Central Iowa. In addition to the main campus located in Des Moines, five community Based Outpatient/Outreach Clinics are operated in Carroll, Fort Dodge, Knoxville, Marshalltown and Mason City, Iowa.     

Prior to joining the VACIHCS, Mr. Goodspeed was the Director of the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon from November 2018 until May 2022. Prior to that he was the Director of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System from December 2013 until November 2018. He was also the Associate Director at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center from February 2011 to November 2013. 

Mr. Goodspeed retired from the United States Navy after serving active duty from 1982-2003 as a Medical Service Corp Officer; he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Medical Department Surface Warfare Officer, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal. 

He graduated from the VA Executive Career Field in 2010 and from the Health Care Leadership Institute (HCLI) in 2009. Professional certifications include Fellow American College of Healthcare Executive (FACHE), VHA Certified Mentor and Excellence in Government Fellow.