In 2018, William Gunnar, MD was selected as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Executive Director, National Center for Patient Safety in 2018. 

In this role, he provides oversight to the VHA National Safety Program, promotes high-reliability organization principles and practice, authors VHA patient safety policy and guidance, administers the recall of medical products, manages multiple patient safety education programs, and facilitates capture, reporting, and investigation of patient safety events across the organization. 

He is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and holds a certificate in health law. 

From 2008 to 2018, Dr. Gunnar was VHA National Director of Surgery with oversight of 137 VHA Surgery Programs and the VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program.