VA's chief medical inspector resigns after independent report

John R. Pierce, M.D., the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) chief medical inspector, retired this week in the wake of a report that found his office did not properly respond to whistleblower complaints about problems at VA facilities, according to the Associated Press. The independent Office of Special Counsel last week released a report finding that various whistleblowers had pointed out a "troubling pattern of deficient patient care," which Pierce and other officials downplayed, according to the article. Interim VA Secretary Sloan Gibson said a departmental review of the report is due by next Monday. Pierce had served in the position since 2004. Article