ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that the head of the Atlanta VA has resigned after just two years on the job.
According to the automatic response to his email, Kai Mentzer said he is preparing to “transition from the VA to a new role with another respected healthcare organization.”
Mentzer was appointed as medical director of the Atlanta VA in June 2024.
In his message, Mentzer said, “I am not retiring-just continuing my commitment to healthcare in a new setting, with a new badge that I hope requires fewer password resets.”
He said he had worked for the federal government for 21 years and that serving the Atlanta VA “has been one of the great privileges of my career.”
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The Atlanta VA has had many issues over the years, even under Mentzer’s tenure. In June, we told about how a veteran ended up waiting 13 weeks to be seen for an appointment that ER doctors say he needed within 24 hours.
Last August, a report was released showing government-run medical centers serving veterans were experiencing severe staffing shortages.
The report said there was a shortage of 79 positions at the Atlanta VA medical center. Those shortages included 53 clinical positions and 26 nonclinical positions.
In June 2025, an inspection of Atlanta VA Healthcare System found problems with the building itself, continuing issues with staffing, hiring, and problems with answering veterans’ phone calls.
In his message, Mentzer said that Ron Johnson, Executive Director of VA Richmond health care, will be supporting the Atlanta VA after his departure.
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