Keeping IT Brief: The Power Perspective

Arveen Kohli of Dell Technologies joins us to breakdown the Operating Model-people, processes and technology-and how these important pieces affect an organization's success.  She also discusses the risks of not incorporating a change of the operating model in your business.

Arveen Kohli

Services Sales Leader, Dell Technologies

Over the past five years at Dell Technologies, Arveen has been focused on outcome-based services around IT, Digital, Workplace and Security Transformations. Arveen has recently joined the Dell Civilian business and is invested in growing trusted relationships with partners and customers. Her team is focused on providing consultative professional services effectuating successful business transformations. Prior to joining Dell, Arveen was at Microsoft Corporation where she focused on the Midwest region out of Chicagoland. Her forte is to assist organizations in achieving their full transformation potential through value driven outcomes, in alignment with people, process and technology.

Dell Technologies

A small write up about your company or organization (150 words max)

The Dell Technologies federal team is 100% committed to your mission. Whether you’re providing critical citizen services, innovating for the next generation, or securing the nation, we bring the right technology, a secure supply chain, targeted expertise, and far-reaching vision to help guide your journey.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Today we are taking an in depth look at the pressing technology issues the healthcare industry is facing with Mitch Newman of Dell Technologies.  He dives into how private companies help manage healthcare data across government agencies.

About Mitch Newman

Business Development Executive, Federal Strategic Programs

In his role at Dell Technologies, Mitch helps federal agencies meet their missions with digital transformation and innovative approaches to data management. He has over 30 years of experience in the medical and healthcare industry building and managing teams that have achieved aggressive growth in the digital health, telehealth, life sciences, and the U.S. government markets. Mitch focuses on incorporating new technology to improve workflow, patient care, and customers’ day-to-day experiences. 

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies is the only true provider of the end-to-end IT capabilities needed to drive your mission through digital transformation, from edge to core to cloud. We deliver the most advanced enterprise infrastructure for mission-critical environments. Whether you are providing critical citizen services, innovating for the next generation, or securing the nation, we bring the right technology, a secure supply chain, targeted expertise, and far-reaching vision to help guide your journey.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

The Chief Information Officer of the FDA joins us to take a look at how the FDA is doing things differently then previous efforts and focuses on budget allocation to drive IT Modernization and Transformation.

Vid Desai; Chief Information Officer, Food and Drug Administration

Vid Desai is a seasoned technology leader with more than 30 years of experience in the information technology (IT) field, and healthcare and life sciences industries. He has previous experience working for large pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and clinical research organizations (CRO).

As the FDA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) in the newly-established Office of Digital Transformation (ODT), Mr. Desai sets and leads the agency’s IT strategy, as well as the agency’s enterprise IT, data management, and cybersecurity. The ODT team oversees the overall FDA IT spend of more than $750M and a staff of around 2,500 employees and contractors. Prior to being named CIO, Mr. Desai served as the FDA’s Chief Technology Officer, overseeing day-to-day technology operations as the leader of the Office of Information Management and Information Technology.

FDA:

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

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This podcast will focus on the HealthSuite Digital Platform (HSDP) and its critical role in federal health IT, and how it solves for challenges that the industry faces. Dave Davidson of Philips will discuss the platform, as well as provide a forward-looking view of the health IT industry.


Dave Davidson started his career at Philips in 2005 as the Technical & Clinical Sales Manager for the enterprise imaging informatics business group. Dave held a number of roles in that business, helping to drive sales to exceed quotas for eight consecutive quarters and doubling its market share before moving to the HealthSuite business group in 2016. For the past two years, Dave has been focused on HealthSuite Business Development in North America and helping third parties interested in developing and moving Healthcare solutions to the cloud.

Philips is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips HealthSuite Digital Platform connects devices and data; aggregates clinical and consumer data; stores data securely; shares data; supports analysis; and creates solutions that make data.

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Since taking over as Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Cheryl L. Mason was tasked with addressing the impact of Covid on the future of hearings.  Taking steps to fast track virtual hearings Mason has taken strides to be sure the inability to meet in person hasn’t stopped the Board’s mission.  

Cheryl L. Mason serves as the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board). She is the first woman to hold his position. The Board’s mission is conducting hearings and deciding appeals on benefits and services for Veterans and their families.

Ms. Mason leads a team of approximately 1200 personnel including Veterans Law Judges, attorneys, and operations and administrative professionals. She is accountable for the management of Board resources and executing a budget of over $190 million. 

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) is an agency within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its mission is to conduct hearings and issue timely decisions for Veterans, their families and caregivers.  The Board is responsible for making final decisions on behalf of the Secretary regarding appeals for Veterans’ benefits and services from all three administrations - Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and National Cemetery Administration (NCA) as well as the Office of General Counsel (OGC) that are presented to the Board for appellate review.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Today our Executive Director, Programs and Outreach Megan Murray speaks to one of our Impact 2021 speakers Susan Schmitt of SAIC on talking a look at the workforce of tomorrow and how women are playing an important role in the IT community.

Susan Schmitt

Susan Schmitt is the VP of the Service Management Office within SAIC’s corporate Information Technology Office (ITO). Susan joined SAIC in 1995. Throughout her career she has held numerous positions of increasing authority, leading teams focused on application services, data center management, infrastructure, cloud engineering, data management, Oracle-based systems, program management, usability, and web technologies.

SAIC

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence, and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective, and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

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With cultural resistance to change one of the top reasons for failed digital transformation plans in government IT Byron Caswell and Sampada Rajan of ICF examine what this is and how the resistance can be overcome.

Byron Caswell, Vice President of Strategic Consulting

Byron oversees practice strategy for all of ICF’s Division’s technology delivery practices and leads the Health and Human Services Portfolio for the division following ICF’s acquisition of ITG in 2020. Byron’s team supports customers by providing the full lifecycle of digital transformation services including enterprise architecture direction and portfolio rationalization strategy, agile application development leveraging modern platforms, digital service center operations, customer engagement and human-centered design, and cybersecurity support.

Sampada Rajan, Senior Manager, Data Analytics

Sampada provides clients with assistance streamlining business and systems processes, launching high- and low-level reporting system design, deriving key statistical indicators, and increasing technical operating efficiencies. She is a senior manager with our data analytics group and is an expert in the discovery and ingestion of enterprise data assets, data governance, agile implementation of data analytics products, project management, and execution.

 ICF:

ICF is a global consulting services company, but we are not your typical consultants. We help clients navigate change and better prepare for the future.  Our team provides digital, cyber, and cloud-based platform services that drive transformational solutions across business and government. From cloud platforms and automation to machine learning and AI, we provide the foundation to meet dynamic end-user requirements and stand up a modern enterprise. We combine the best of advanced analytics, industry expertise, and enterprise technologies to build agile solutions that evolve to meet your changing needs. Our extensive suite of proprietary software and other technology tools add value to your projects from the outset. 

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Scott Jensen lays out the importance of being certified veteran-owned and/or operated and how that can affect doing business with the VA.  What is now just a VA requirement will soon be a requirement to do business with the government.  Listen to learn more.

 Link to the  NVSBC  conference in November here.

Scott Jensen:

Scott Jensen is the Executive Director of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition. He has served as the Chief Operations Officer for Team RWB, Chief Executive Officer for Protect Our Defenders and as the Assistant Vice President for Leadership Development Programs at the American Council on Education.  His three decades of management, leadership and cultural experience provide holistic expertise, understanding, and keen insight into optimizing and growing organizations.  With a passion for serving the Veteran and nonprofit communities, he leverages his experience and expertise to support Veteran focused businesses and organizations, helping them maximize their capabilities through practices that achieve top performance.

NVSBC:

An 11-year-old nonprofit based in Washington, DC, the National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) leads the way as the largest national membership-based Veteran Service Organization serving the needs of Veteran entrepreneurs and small businesses working as Federal contractors.

As a dedicated group of veteran small business owners, NVSBC knows that an involved citizenry is our best solution to a strong national economy and industrial base. We know that service does not end when a military member takes off their uniform and that the unique qualities of our Veterans make them a force of nature in the business world. We also know that federal contracting is a tough environment, requiring a team effort to succeed.

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Karen Chan is leading the NGS effort to support the HRSA and CDC Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Her team leverages and analyzes data to determine how best to support  the program’s mission: providing the COVID-19 vaccine to our most underserved population. They have been conducting provider education and outreach in support of the Health Centers, and have hosted informational weekly office hours in support of these efforts. They also closely monitor the COVID-19 vaccine inventory for all health centers participating in the program and can incrementally expand as HRSA continues to add Health Centers to the Vaccine Program.

Karen Chan

Staff Vice President, Business Process Solutions

Ms. Chan is responsible for oversight of National Government Services’ Business and Financial Solution Contracts including two Medicare Administrative Contracts (MACs) representing 20% of the nation’s Fee-for-Service workload. With 19 years of healthcare industry experience, Ms. Chan is leading a diverse team of program managers, solution architects and solutions managers to expand National Government Services’ Business Process Solutions footprint in both current and emerging markets. Her previous experience includes Medicare program integrity, program management, breakthrough leadership, and associate empowerment.

About National Government Services

For more than 50 years, National Government Services has been a trusted partner and innovative leader in federal health care contracting. Employing approximately 1,500 associates, National Government Services is committed to providing robust health information technology and administrative services. As a Medicare contractor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), National Government Services processes more than 228 million Medicare claims and administers benefits of approximately $84 billion from the Medicare Trust Fund annually. Additional information about National Government Services is available at http://www.ngsservices.com

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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the Veteran’s Administration is taking steps to raise awareness around this important issue in their community.  Dr. David LaBorde spoke to us on the importance of keeping the conversion going.

Below are resources that can help you and your family learn more about suicide prevention.

The Veterans Crisis Line

Suicide – Make the Connection

VA’s Suicide Prevention Site

About Dr. LaBorde

David LaBorde, M.D., M.B.A. is the CEO of Iconic Data Inc., a Healthcare technology company with solutions focused in the areas of real time analytics, patient flow optimization, and care coordination. He is also a Senior Clinical Advisor for DSS, Inc., a software products and services company that has worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 25 years. Dr. LaBorde has over 20 years of experience in Healthcare and technology and has worked with Healthcare provider organizations helping them with strategy, workflow standardization, achieving transparency into their operations, and improving their quality of care and operating performance.

About Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS, Inc.)

With over 25 years of experience, DSS knows what works. We are a health information software development and systems integration company, providing services and solutions used daily by thousands of clinicians and administrative staff nationwide, to reduce costs, streamline workflows and improve patient care. For more information about DSS, visit www.dssinc.com.

About Iconic Data Inc.

Iconic Data Inc. provides hospital information system integrated software solutions that help healthcare provider organizations deliver highly reliable care via standardized workflows, data visualization tools and analytics that together lead to reduced care variation and the ability to continuously monitor processes, performance and outcomes.  Learn more at iconicdata.com.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts.