The Veterans Affairs Department plans to push the use of Twitter and Facebook to all of its 148 medical centers, according to an insightful account on the department's use of social media on The Huffington Post by Richard Allen Smith, who writes the VetVoice blog.
Using social media tools will allow local VA medical centers to communicate more directly and effectively with the veterans they serve, he wrote.
Smith also interviewed Dr. Peter Levin, senior advisor to the secretary and VA's chief technology officer, on my favorite VA topic -- the current claims processing system for the post-9/11 GI bill - and Levin summed it up in a one word answer, "horrific."
Ah, a plain spoken man. I hope no one tells Levin that in Washington it's better to obfuscate.
COMMENTS
This is good that we (the VA) are looking at both inward-facing and outward-facing use of social networking tools. As an IT Specialist I am excited about the prospect of being an employee of a government institution that, while not being an early adopter for obvious reasons, is will to move with the pace of technology. As a VA patient, I continue to be impressed. It was not long ago that a trip to the VA or dealing with "the system" was a test of a veteran's patience. Today I know I am getting the best health care in the world.
Alan Bombria 02/22/10 08:31 am ET
The President is doing his best and energy to repairing the economy and to create jobs for small business owners; however a good amount and money (VHA Projects) is being awarded to companies like Booz Allen - who has been awarded a significant amount of Safety/Related contracts from the VHA. - Well Into the millions of dollars. Booz Allen is also friendly with the folks they are doing work for and VHA and that is fine only to a point - The line is crossed when it becomes or appears as a good ole boy mentality. These large giants of companies such as Booz Allen is taking money from the small business owners.The perception is valid and a majority of the Safety/Emergency Preparedness Contracts Awarded to Booz Allen could be conducted internally by qualified VHA staff. We need to look at the big picture and follow the President's orders - goals and objectives and reduce tax payers costs.
John Sabourin 02/21/10 02:00 pm ET
The VHA Director of Safety and Technology is a virtual position and the travel dollars spent to travel from his home base (Ark) to DC throughout the year is very expensive for the tax payers. The travel alone is equal too that of a full time employee and ridiculous - If the position is virtual them most or at least 80 per cent of the work should be managed virtually.. This is a waste of tax dollars. Joe Williams is very familiar and friendly with the Safety Director and that is fine - However the travel costs//Per Diem is not acceptable and unfair to the tax payers. My comments or opinion is NOT disrespectful of anyone but rather we need to look closely at the travel dollars spent and better management style of VHA. - again this is what our President has been telling us to do and rightfully so.
John Sabourin 02/21/10 01:49 pm ET
Every month the (VA) government pays for travel and Per- Diem for all 22 Network Directors to fly into DC VA Headquarters and conduct their monthly National Network Directors meeting with the VHA Under Secretary. I consider the meeting to be a required instrument on conducting good business for such a huge agency - However with today's technology it can be done without the high travel costs each month and conducted by state of the art technology media (V-Tel). Maybe fly in semi annually for face to face meetings or on special occasions that warrant a face to face meeting.- Other than that we can say tax dollars significantly and this is what the President is asking us all to do - innovative ways to save money and generate money.
John Sabourin 02/21/10 01:37 pm ET
Peter Levin's official title is Senior Advisor to the Secretary and CTO.
Roger Baker 02/19/10 03:50 pm ET
Peter Levin's official title is Senior Advisor to the Chief Technology Officer.
J. Daniel Wright 02/19/10 08:56 am ET