Policy Vets

Representative Don Bacon discusses the value of Public Private Partnerships using, as a model, the CHIP IN for Vets Act, which supported the building of a new Omaha VA Clinic, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. 

Rob Thomas, who is the former Assistant Secretary for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (SES) for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, talks with Secretary Shulkin and Lou about his time at VA, how the Cerner implementation decision was made, and what VA needs to do in the future to compete.

Today, Secretary Shulkin and Lou Celli discuss what is coming up for Policy Vets as they work to keep policy issues on track, post-pandemic.  

Dr. Keita Franklin, the Chief Clinical Officer at Loyal Source, joins Dr. Shulkin and Lou as they discuss the impact the VA has had in reducing Veteran Suicide, and also discuss the work she is doing to help Afghan Refugees, as well as the Columbia Lighthouse Project.  She notes the Call Center to help Afghan Refugees, which is open 8am-8pm. The number is
1-855-341-5456

Heather Ansley, the Executive Director for Government Relations for the Paralyzed Veterans of America discusses the antiquated approach that airlines have taken towards paralyzed members of society. She discusses specific stories and how important it is that legislators put this on their radar.

Secretary Shulkin and Lou Celli discuss Veterans Day and reflect on the podcast's many guests, as well as the reaction they've received.

Dr. Russell Foster speaks to Lou and Sherman Gillums (guest host) to discuss the importance of sleep on helping people with PTSD and other disorders. He shares amazing and recent studies while Sherman and Lou share their shock at the newness of this information. Dr. Foster is the Head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute. 

Today, Vincent Chao, the former Director of the Political Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, speaks to Lou Celli and Charlie Malone on behalf of Taiwan.  What are the ramifications of Washington's and Beijing's policies regarding this very important island? 

Professor Renata Gomes joins Secretary Shulkin and Lou to discuss Bravo Victor, a UK-based group dedicated towards focusing the world’s best research scientists to improve the lives of the visually impaired and veterans.  Professor Gomes is the Chief Scientific Officer at BRAVO VICTOR, Blind Veterans UK Group (https://www.bravovictor.org/)