Jon-Michael McCormick
Nov 15

VA’s version of ‘Shark Tank’ awards grassroots health care innovations

0 comments

Link to the original article: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5358

 

WASHINGTON – As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) efforts to promote grassroots innovations throughout its health care system, the agency recently crowned winners from the Veterans Heath Administration (VHA) Innovation Ecosystem’s ‘Shark Tank’ competition during the Oct. 23, VHA Innovation Experience (iEx) event.

 

The competition serves as a platform for employees to pitch their ideas for improving health care services for Veterans. The winners’ innovations will be implemented at select facilities.

 

“This is a huge cultural shift from the way VA has done things in the past,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We can’t solve everything from Washington. Events and competitions like VHA’s ‘Shark Tank’ that showcase employees’ innovative ideas, empowers frontline personnel to take charge to improve services in needed areas.”

 

The 12 practices and 15 medical center director winners were chosen from a pool of more than 500 applicants. The winning practices include expanded digital health capabilities, improved access to care and suicide prevention. The partnership between the creators of the practice and selected facilities will kick off at the Diffusion of Excellence Base Camp in February 2020 at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.

 

To view the finalists’ pitches from the 2019 VHA Shark Tank Competition visit the VA YouTube page.

 

###

 

For questions related to this news release, please contact the following individuals:

Susan Carter - Susan.carter2@va.gov

Randy Noller - Randal.noller@va.gov

Tatjana Christian – Tatjana.christian@va.gov

 

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

810 Vermont Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20420

https://www.va.gov/

VA on Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Flickr. Blog

Commenting is off.
New Posts
  • Jon-Michael McCormick
    12 hours ago

    Goodwill Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG)

  • Jon-Michael McCormick
    12 hours ago

    Goodwill Veteran Integration Program

  • Jon-Michael McCormick
    3 days ago

    VA recognized for health IT innovations directly impacting Veterans

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 10, 2019 VA recognized for health IT innovations directly impacting Veterans WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes an impact, driving change and advancement, in the federal health information technology market. FedHealthIT recognized VA for creating products and services that have a profound impact on the lives of Veterans through developments in digital and cloud-based solutions and health-IT modernization initiatives. “Part of the department’s mission is its commitment to providing exceptional customer service,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Among the Veterans’ calls VA heeded – building a simpler, more user-friendly VA.gov website and expanding telehealth services to the 40% of Veterans living in rural areas.” Listening to Veterans and critically analyzing their thoughts has led to notable VA projects to include: The implementation of the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, which gives Veterans greater access to health care in VA facilities and the community. The launch of VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM), an initiative to migrate Veteran health data to a new system that will link in with the Department of Defense’s patient records. The creation of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII), which will use AI research and development for real-world impact and health care outcomes for Veterans. For information on VA leaders, their transformative health-IT projects and how those projects help Veterans visit VA 2020 FedHealthIT 100 Awardees.