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 Dr. Ryan Vega and Kristopher Teague, the Executive Director and Deputy Director of the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, respectfully, talk with Blake Henderson about how VHA Innovation Ecosystem (VHA IE) works, its role in building a culture of innovation at VHA, and we learn that neither understands the concept of a “lightning round” questions. Dr. Vega and Mr. Teague also discuss some of the essential traits that successful innovation requires, particularly in the federal government. They also discuss how VHA IE leverages the collective power of innovation champions from across VA, academia, and industry to operationalize innovation in the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. This key because innovation cannot be realized in isolation and requires novel, cross-industry partnerships that surface ideas and help catalyze a shift in the status-quo

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.

Author Bio: Matthew Razak supports VA as a contractor with Atlas Research, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm providing strategic advisory and applied research services to federal health and social service agencies. Matt has been working with VA for the past six years supporting social media and communication efforts.