Kai Mentzer was appointed Medical Center Director effective August 28, 2021. Mr. Mentzer previously served as Associate Director of the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center. He joined VISN 16 as the Assistant Director of the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in January 2017. Prior to going to Louisiana, he served as the Health Systems Specialist to the Director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS) in VISN 8. Mr. Mentzer began his healthcare career in 2007 with a non-profit community hospital, the Tucson Medical Center and in 2009 he joined the VA as a Technical Career Field Intern with the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System in VISN 22. In 2011, he relocated to BPVAHCS, where he held numerous roles simultaneously, including Assistant Chief and the Administrative Officer for the largest Environmental Management Service in the nation and had oversight of nearly 400 staff and responsibilities for Housekeeping, Interior Design, a Minor Maintenance team, the Transportation and Grounds Program, and a VISN consolidated Linen Facility. He also held the role of the acting Chief Logistics Officer and the health care system’s Integrated Ethics Program Officer.

Mr. Mentzer began his federal career in 2003 with the United States Army as a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological Specialist. This experience included both domestic and international operations in Afghanistan, South Korea, and the continental United States.

Mr. Mentzer received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern Columbia University. He is a graduate of the Healthcare Leadership Development Program class of 2015 and has been a VHA certified Mentor since 2010. Mr. Mentzer is an active member of American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).