(Veterans Administration seal)
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 1930

OFFICE OF 
CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR 
DEPARTMENT OF 
MEDICINE AND SURGERY

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

December 14, 1949

C-6 118 095

Mr. Robert J. Dole 
900 Tyler Street 
Topeka, Kansas

Dear Mr. Dole:

This is in reply to your letter concerning your desire to have Dr. H. Kelikian of Chicago, Illinois, perform a reconstructive surgical operation on your arm during the latter part of this month. The statement of June 7, 1949, to me from Dr. Kelikian which you enclosed is also acknowledged.

Inasmuch as it is the mandatory policy of the Veterans Administration to utilize our own facilities when adequate and feasibly available and since highly qualified physicians, both staff and consultant, are employed to render any necessary medical services to veterans in Veterans Administration Hospitals or in other government hospitals in which the Veterans Administration has beds allocated, approval cannot be granted at the present time for you to be operated upon by Dr. H. Kelikian in a private hospital at the expense of the Veterans Administration.

(brackets have been drawn in ink around the next paragraph)
In the event that Dr. Kelikian feels it is necessary or especially desirable for you to be operated upon in other than a Veterans Administration Hospital, it is suggested that you ask him to submit his recommendations to me and I shall see that the matter receives every consideration.

Please be assured that your reasons for desiring the services of Dr. Kelikian are understandable and the disapproval of granting you authority at the present time to be operated upon by him at Veterans Administration expense is in no way a reflection on Dr. Kelikian's integrity or professional ability.

It is hoped that you will be able to continue with your school work and that arrangements satisfactory to you may be made for any necessary future surgical operation.

Very truly yours, 
(signature)
PAUL B. MAGNUSON 
Chief Medical Director