The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff has announced the selection of Director Paul Hopkins.
The native Missourian’s appointment is effective June 19, according to a press release from the VAMC.
Hopkins comes to Poplar Bluff from the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, where he serves as associate director over a wide range of hospital departments and services.
A lifelong resident of Columbia, Hopkins received a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia College in 1991, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, in 2005.
Hopkins also served in the U.S. Army Reserve ― during which time he was activated twice, to include a deployment to Afghanistan in 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in April 2007.
Hopkins is the recipient of the CFO of the Year Award for Innovation and a graduate of the VA’s Health Care Leadership Development Program as well as Excellence In Government.
He served as Interim Medical Center Director at Poplar Bluff from April to October of 2020 and is excited to return as the new director.
“I admire the John J. Pershing VA team’s commitment to our mission and I look forward to serving our Veterans there,” Hopkins said. “I like the Poplar Bluff community and all that it offers and believe this will be a good fit.”
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)-15 Director Dr. William P. Patterson announced the appointment, noting, “Paul brings many years of health care leadership to the position, and we know he will do a great job for the veterans of southern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas.”
Hopkins is married to Michelle Scheidt-Hopkins. Together, they have three children and one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his family, outdoor activities and sporting events.