Delivering More, Together is a new podcast, launched by the VHA Innovation Ecosystem. This podcast that focuses on highlighting the groundbreaking innovation underway at VHA, and how through innovation and collaboration, VHA is exceeding expectations, restoring hope, and building trust within the Veteran community.

In this episode Blake Henderson talks with Dr. Shannon Munro about innovative work through the Diffusion of Excellence. Project HAPPEN (Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Prevention by Engaging Nurses) began in October 2016 at the Salem VA Medical Center’s community living center and it uses oral hygiene to fight pneumonia. This is done through training and educational programs and it ensures that patients will receive oral care such as teeth brushing, twice a day. As of July 2019, this initiative has expanded to eight VA hospitals, prevented 117 cases of pneumonia, and saved a predicted 42 lives as well as $9.4 million in costs.

Be sure to check out the upcoming Innovation Experience (iEX) that was discussed on the pod as well. The iEX annual conference offers health care professionals from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), other government agencies, industry, and academia the opportunity to celebrate, collaborate, and promote a culture of innovation. This year, VHA iEX will showcase both employee-developed and industry-sourced innovations and practices that are sure to inform, and inspire lively discussion via the conference platform. To ensure the safety of all participants during the pandemic, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Innovation Experience (iEX) is going 100% virtual this year. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with presenters via live chat and in virtual exhibit booths.

This years speakers will include:

· Richard Stone, MD, Executive In Charge for Veterans Health Administration (VHA),

· Carolyn Clancy, MD, MACP, Deputy Under Secretary for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

· Dean Kamen of DEKA Research and Development,

· Mark Johnson, Senior Partner, Innosight

· Toby Redshaw, SVP for Enterprise Innovation and 5G Solutions, Verizon.

Additional Links:

VHA Innovation Ecosystem Website (https://www.va.gov/innovationecosystem/)

Register for VHA Innovation Experience (https://www.va.gov/INNOVATIONECOSYSTEM/views/news-events/iEX.html