Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough has named a longtime figure in the department’s caregiver community as the VA’s new chief of staff.
Margaret “Meg” Kabat was sworn in Wednesday to the critical post following the departure July 13 of Kimberly Jackson, who had been in the job for eight months. Kabat had served as principal senior adviser to McDonough since 2022 and, before that, a year as the VA’s senior adviser for families, caregivers and survivors.
“Meg is a tireless advocate for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors — and we’re thrilled that she’s going to be helping lead VA in this critical role,” McDonough said in a statement Wednesday. “As our next chief of staff, she will undoubtedly continue to positively impact our organization and ensure we deliver on the most sacred mission there is: serving America’s veterans.”
Read Next: VA Warns Congress that Benefits Payments Are at Risk Due to Projected $15 Billion Budget Shortfall
A licensed clinical social worker, Kabat worked for the Department of the Navy as a caseworker at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, before joining the VA in 2011. She was instrumental in developing and leading the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, or Family Caregiver Program, which provides services and financial support for caregivers assisting veterans severely injured in the line of duty.
In a statement, she said her job…
