James B. Peake — U.S. Army Physician and Secretary of Veterans Affairs
James B. Peake (born 1944) is a physician and retired U.S. Army officer who served as the 40th Surgeon General of the Army and as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2007 to 2009.
Overview
James Benjamin Peake (born June 18, 1944) is an American physician and retired senior officer of the United States Army. After a long military medical career he served as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2007 to 2009. Peake is widely known for combining clinical experience with health‑care leadership in military and veterans' health institutions.
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Military medical career
Peake spent over four decades in uniform, retiring in 2004 after 42 years of service. During his Army career he held senior clinical and administrative posts, including service as the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army. His responsibilities over time included supervision of military medical readiness, clinical operations in deployed settings, and management of large medical organizations that deliver care to service members and their families.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
As head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Peake led the federal agency charged with veterans' health care, benefits, cemetery services and related programs. His tenure focused on maintaining access to medical services for veterans, addressing needs of those returning from recent conflicts, and improving administrative processes that affect claims and benefits.
Roles and areas of focus
- Oversight of veterans' health care delivery systems and medical facilities.
- Administration of disability compensation, pensions and benefits programs.
- Emphasis on transition care for service members returning to civilian life.
- Support for research and programs in prosthetics, rehabilitation and mental health.
Legacy and notable facts
Peake's career links military medicine and public service at the national level. His experience as an Army physician and senior medical administrator shaped his approach to veterans' health policy, stressing clinical quality, readiness and efficient delivery of services. Observers note that leaders with combined clinical and operational backgrounds have helped frame contemporary veteran health initiatives.
Further context
Those researching Peake's career can explore topics such as the organization of military medical services, the role of the Surgeon General in force health protection, and the responsibilities of the VA. For institutional background see the respective agencies: the United States Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Questions and answers
Q: Who is James Peake?
A: James Peake is a retired member of the United States Army who served as the 40th Surgeon General and later as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Q: When did James Peake retire from the US Army?
A: James Peake retired from the United States Army in 2004, after serving for 42 years.
Q: What position did James Peake hold in the US Army?
A: James Peake served as the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Q: When was James Peake the Secretary of Veterans Affairs?
A: James Peake was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2007 to 2009.
Q: How long did James Peake serve in the United States Army?
A: James Peake served in the United States Army for 42 years before retiring in 2004.
Q: What was James Peake's area of specialization in the US Army?
A: James Peake's area of specialization in the US Army was in the medical field, specifically as a Surgeon General.
Q: Was James Peake a prominent figure in the US Army?
A: Yes, James Peake was a prominent figure in the United States Army, serving as both the 40th Surgeon General and later as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com James B. Peake — U.S. Army Physician and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/121355
Sources
- www1.va.gov : VA Official Biography - The Honorable James B. Peake
- upi.com : Peake sworn in as VA secretary