Keeping IT Brief

Global geopolitical changes, weather, health and macroeconomics play a part in managing our everyday supply chain. Addressing these factors while accounting for operational agency challenges are becoming a critical part of a supply chain practitioners job. Gaps in reliable, complete data, integrated analysis, undocumented risk assessment procedures, and unclear roles and responsibilities are contr...

The public focus of EHR modernization has been on configuring a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution that blends all the requirements that are unique to the VA with a system that is widely used in the commercial sector. But equally or even more importantly, the VA needs to continue to invest in, maintain, and upgrade its current EHR – the Veterans Health Information System Technology Architect...

Every day in the United States, thousands of legitimate prescriptions for the opioid class of pharmaceuticals are written to mitigate acute pain during post-operation recovery, chronic back and neck pain, and a host of other cases where patients experience moderate-to-severe discomfort. While many of these drugs provide pain relief, the potential for misuse and outright abuse due to their addictiv...

Dr. Richard Stone, Retired Army Major General who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the US Army discusses how we as a nation can provide better medical care to our veterans during the next medical crisis, he looks into this and more in his memoir, "Save Every Life You Can". Dr. Richard Stone, Retired Army Major General who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the US Army, curren...

As of January 1, 2024, CMS implemented new policies for addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) to proactively treat and better understand the needs of our country's most underserved and chronically ill populations. These policies will support physicians that help patients identify and connect with the appropriate clinical and community resources to address unmet HRSN that may influence...

Today we speak with Erick Peters, Chief Technology Officer, and Jackie Ackerman, Vice President, Data and Analytics, of Cognosante on how healthcare agencies and departments can make smarter decisions and deliver improved citizen services through data sharing that’s powered by automation, AI, and data & analytics insights. We deep dive into:  How cloud, data, AI can remove boundaries between p...

 The AIM-AHEAD program mission is to enhance the participation of underrepresented communities in the development of AI/ML models. The program improves the capabilities of this emerging technology, beginning with electronic health records (EHR) and extending to other diverse data to address health disparities and inequities. Today we speak with the CEO and Founder of stackArmor Gaurav "GP&quo...

Enhancing performance, readiness, and resilience for service members and their families is paramount for several reasons. First and foremost, optimized performance ensures military effectiveness, which is critical for national defense. Next, readiness that encompasses whole health, preparedness, and skill development ensures that service members have what they need for rapid response to evolving t...

Today we speak with Amanda Warfield.  Amanda currently leads the Optum Serve program integrity practice, overseeing support and integration of key IT capabilities and solutions for Federal agencies. Amanda Warfield Amanda manages a portfolio of projects supporting agencies across the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, while supporting growth and strate...

The healthcare sector is ramping up activity regarding its implementation of AI technology. Recently, the American Hospital Association expressed support for a “sector-specific” approach to AI regulations to both mitigate patient risk and allow organizations to harness the potential of these technologies. The following week, the NSA launched the AI Security Center to lead AI security protocols, an...

Is AI gearing up to take over the world?  Today we talk with Art Villanueva the Chief AI/ML Technology Architect at Dell Federal Strategic Programs about the types of AI and what he sees for the future. Art Villanueva Chief AI/ML Technology Architect Dell Federal Strategic Programs Dr. Art Villanueva is the Chief AI/ML Technology Architect for Dell Technologies’ Federal Strategic Programs where he...

As the federal government makes continuous strides toward modernizing health IT programs, such as the federal EHR program, healthcare organizations have become a prime target for cybercriminals given the incredible volume of sensitive data and digitized patient records.   At the same time, healthcare agencies must have the ability to share, access and analyze critical data to support projects focu...

  The DOD’s Defense Healthcare Management System Modernization program, known as DHMSM, is a technology and healthcare transformation project designed to standardize the delivery of healthcare for nearly 10 million service members and their families. DHMSM is a program management office under the Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS) The MHS GENESIS electronic...

The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) announced the latest round of CX investments, and as part of the current funding round, the VA has been awarded $7.4 million to help streamline veterans’ access to health care, disability benefits, and education by digitizing forms. Today, we speak with Rita Breen of NGS on how IT modernization initiatives such as the digitization of government forms can dra...

Adopting a CX-focused approach to AI in public health services is crucial for improving healthcare delivery in today's digital world. By harnessing the power of AI and focusing on user needs, government health agencies can drive innovation, improve results, and build a healthcare system that puts the well-being and satisfaction of people front and center. This podcast will help you understand...

Today we speak with CDC project manager from GDIT Christi Hildebrant on the challenges of taking public health to the future and what she sees as the best paths forward. Christi Hildebrandt, CDC Project Manager, GDIT  In her 25 years within the IT consulting, Christi has served in a diverse set of roles across a range of industries. For more than 15 years, Christi worked within public health imple...

Today we discuss the data modernization journey with Scott Hutchison, Solutions Architect and David Holmes, PMP, SAFe Agilist, Teradata Certified Master, Vice President of Index Analytics. Scott Hutchison | Solutions Architect at Index Analytics Scott Hutchison is an experienced Solutions Architect with a Master's in Data Analytics from Clarkson University Graduate School. An expert in Busine...

On today's Keeping IT Brief, ICF’s Vice President of Digital Transformation, Tahera Zamanzada, shares the importance of bringing an empathy-first approach to human-centered design, and how mission and IT leaders looking to undergo digital modernization can find success in this approach. Tahera will explain the role of “human-centered design” in product development and management, and how it a...

Customers have hit the inflection point on cloud adoption. What are the cloud implementation and optimization aspects that the customers need to be aware of to ensure that they get their return on their investment?  Today we dig into the topic with Raman Bhasker, Technical Director at Index Analytics and Narayana Vallapuneni, Sr. DevSecOps Architect at Index Analytics. Narayana Vallapuneni| Sr. De...

One of the many lessons learned during the pandemic was that the public, health care providers, and our government agencies were looking to IT systems and software applications to communicate, exchange data, and provide information needed to support decision-making. The increased need for information highlighted existing challenges impacting data sharing and data security. Today we speak with Srin...

Citizens often engage with health agencies during strenuous and pivotal moments in life. Today we speak with MaryAnn Monroe, VP of Total Experience at Maximus about how to provide the best experience. Agencies must be prepared to provide essential services and to quickly and securely obtain relevant data from various government partners at a moment’s notice. MaryAnn Monroe, Vice President of Total...

This podcast is based on an event dated June 7, 2023. If you missed this event, be sure and check out our list of upcoming events on Forum. Today we are speaking to Susan Sharer, the CEO of Forum about the upcoming Innovation Awards taking place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This high-energy event includes a mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, fireside chats, and rapid-fire...

Low code and no code development is growing in the Federal government, today we speak with   Sumesh Sundareswaran the Vice President for the Health and Human Services (HHS) Business Area at GDIT on his thoughts for the future of the technology.    Sumesh Sundareswaran is Vice President for the Health and Human Services (HHS) Business Area at GDIT. In this role, he supports the critical mission of...

Today we discuss impacts on the future of Health IT with Melinda Pitchford, Managing Director Business Development and Capture for Eleven09/King Street Technology Partners.   Melinda Pitchford – Managing Director Business Development and Capture for Eleven09/King Street Technology Partners Melinda Pitchford is a highly experienced professional with over 15 years of expertise in fostering strong cl...

Today Susan Sharer speaks with Jennie Lucca, CEO, The Children’s Inn at NIH and Todd Pantezzi, Children’s Inn at NIH Evening for Hope Gala Committee Chair about this year’s event.  They discuss the unique public-private partnership with NIH, what’s new for this year’s Gala, and the Inn’s strategic plan, #INN2025, which has the following goals for the next few years:  To work with researchers at th...