The Veterans Affairs Department announced today it has chosen Jennifer Gutowski as the new director of the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System in Honolulu.

Gutowski has helped run the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System for nearly a decade, most recently as acting director. She became assistant director in 2007 and associate director in 2012, then served as acting director from January 2016 until this month.

In Honolulu, she will be in charge of health care for 129,000 veterans in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Pacific islands system has more than 1,000 employees and an operating budget of $310.8 million.

“We are excited to bring Ms. Gutowski on board as the new Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System,” said Sheila Cullen, director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network 21. “Her sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the veterans we are honored to serve.”

Gutowski is expected to start in her new position within 60 days.