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Share this email with your colleagues to make sure they get the latest VHA IE news: SUBSCRIBE
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Blind Rehab In-house Eyeglass Fabrication (BRIEF), also known as the Specialty Optical Lab, reduces the turnaround time of prescription eyeglass orders for Veterans with low vision by making the glasses in-house rather than outsourcing. Developed by Sean Wrubel, a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist at VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, the program enables a more accurate assessment of Veteran needs and reduces unused prosthetics.
A recent VA News article highlights the successful implementation of BRIEF at VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System—a journey that began after BRIEF was selected as a 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition winning practice.
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“These types of collaborations are indicative of the joint team environment we have at Gulf Coast VA,” said Dr. Stephanie Repasky, medical center director. “I am so proud of our team for their leadership and innovations guaranteeing that our Veterans receive the world-class health care they have earned.”
With the first eyeglass order completed in just six days, compared to an average wait time of 4-6 weeks, the program is already demonstrating success at VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System.
BRIEF, led by Cleveland VA Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Sean Wrubel, currently serves Veterans in nine VA facilities, with another adoption in progress. Learn more about BRIEF on Diffusion Marketplace.
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 VHA's Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (VHA OHIL) welcomes you and your colleagues to “Collaborate for Change” as you experience two days of speakers, panel discussions, presentations, breakout sessions, and an all-new exhibit hall format. This year’s event takes place at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel, which is where you can also book rooms. More information on Instructions to the Traveler (ITT) will be coming as we approach the event.
iEX 2024 is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of change alongside VA employees, Veterans, entrepreneurs, and researchers. This year's event will feature highlights from the Illinois innovation community, plus participants will experience diverse breakout sessions, Ted-style talks, keynote speakers, and insightful VA and external panels. Attendees can also visit an interactive exhibit booth where you can help codesign innovative healthcare products of tomorrow.
VHA OHIL fosters the discovery of innovative solutions, practices, and products across VA, leveraging the expertise and drive of VA employees. At the heart of OHIL’s efforts is the mission to improve Veteran care, cultivating an environment that advances everything from simulated clinical education tools to patient care and cost management solutions, as well as cutting edge delivery and Veteran service supports.
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The Exchange is a monthly gathering hosted by VHA Innovation Ecosystem and led each month by a different team of individuals who are disrupting existing models of care to build the future, using the principles and tools of innovation. Each month features a new topic and panel, curated for VA's innovation community.
This month's Exchange will be hosted at 3PM on Thursday July 18 and the topic is Innovations in Diabetes Care and Management. This month will be a unique panel discussion featuring distinguished VA experts who are transforming care for diabetic Veterans. These professionals are at the forefront of care delivery, management assistance, research, and data analytics, creating the best resources for Veterans who have diabetes. Our panelists will share their insights and experiences in developing innovative tools, programs, and policies that enhance the quality of care for Veterans with diabetes. This event will provide a platform to ask questions, share ideas, and engage in thoughtful discussions on how to continually improve health care services for diabetic Veterans. Note: The Exchange is open to VA Employees only.
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Amy Thompto, RD/N, MS, System’s Redesign Specialist, Whole Health & Wellness Committee Chair, Health Equity Task-Force Co-Lead, Western North Carolina VAHCS, Team Member, CREW
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Jeffrey Robbins, DPM, Acting Deputy Chief Officer, Specialty Care Program Office, National Podiatric Medical Director, Specialty Care Services, VACO
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Kendrick Murphy, PharmD, BCACP, MHP, Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner and PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director, Western North Carolina VA Health Care System, Team Member, CREW
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To receive a calendar invitation for the quarterly call, please fill out this form. For any questions, please email VADiffusionSupport@va.gov. Note: Diffusion of Excellence Quarterly Calls are open to VA Employees only
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2023 VHA Innovation Ecosystem Senior Innovation Fellow Melissa Tran, a marriage and family therapist, is an integral contributor to the Orlando VA virtual health care resources for woman Veterans. Her program, Perinatal Reproductive Education Planning and Resources (PREPARe) makes up a part of the virtual offerings at Orlando VA that guarantees woman Veterans, regardless of their location or busy schedules, access to essential health care services.
PREPARe has a wide range of services and creates a community for preconception or pregnant Veterans and those who have recently given birth. Resources include individual and group sessions, as well as classes on mental health, pelvic health, Whole Health, lactation and lactation support, nutrition, and family topics. These services are all hosted on VA Video Connect, VA’s secure video conferencing app. “We want to make sure women Veterans know their home is here at VA and that we are interested in specializing the care to their needs,” said Melissa Tran. “The virtual platforms and connected care opportunities really open the door to reach more Veterans who maybe couldn’t access care before.”
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