Air Force veteran appointed VP for Strategic Initiatives

By Patrick Wascovich

Kimberly A. Siniscalchi, former Assistant Surgeon General, United States Air Force, has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Kimberly A. Siniscalchi
Kimberly A. Siniscalchi

A retired Major General, Mrs. Siniscalchi began her duties in mid-January. She reports directly to Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern, but will be working closely on a daily basis with other members of the medical center’s senior leadership team to advance organizational strategic goals.

“Kim’s primary areas of responsibility will be to identify, develop, and in some cases oversee the implementation of key strategic initiatives, such as new service line development, organizational partnerships, and other efforts that support the Medical Center’s  mission,” Dr. Podolsky said. “Initially, working with department Chairs and other Health System leaders, she will concentrate on the goals we have set for our clinical neurosciences program. She will focus on strategic analysis, planning, and establishing key partnerships that will enhance our program. She also will coordinate the increasing activities of the Texas Institute for Brain Injury and Repair, and in collaboration with others, both internal and external to UT Southwestern, she will develop and implement growth strategies and new business opportunities.”

Mrs. Siniscalchi, whose career spans over 34 years of active duty experience in the military health care system, said, “UT Southwestern is a prestigious, dynamic academic medical center, and it is an honor to join this visionary team in creating and leading new strategic initiatives that will further advance health care, research, education, and community outreach.” 

While in Washington, D.C. as Assistant Surgeon General, she was responsible for personnel policy, programs, staffing requirements, and education and training for 45,000 military and civilian personnel, and she led Air Force Nursing for 19,000 active duty, reserve, and Air National Guard nursing personnel, supporting 2.6 million beneficiaries globally.

She has served multiple command tours, which included leading an Expeditionary Medical Group in Southwest Asia, supporting the global war on terrorism. Her career included two command posting in Texas – with the 17th Medical Group at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo as well as the 882nd Training Group at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls. Mrs. Siniscalchi also served Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton while assigned to the White House Medical Unit. 

Mrs. Siniscalchi received her commission in 1979 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Pittsburgh. She was promoted to Major General in December 2008 and retired in October 2013, having received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, among others.

She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing at Duquesne University and a master of science degree in nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Her recent honors include receiving the American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Additionally, she serves on several boards and advisory councils focused on military and veteran issues, health policy, and health care.