VHA Innovators Network
The VHA Innovators Network (iNET) is a national community which empowers VA employees to engage in shared learning and design solutions for the health care challenges Veterans face every day. Since its inception in 2015, iNET has taken a ground-up approach by using the first-hand knowledge of frontline employees to identify some of VA’s greatest challenges and develop both Veteran and employee-centric solutions through the All-Employee Innovation Program, formerly known as Spark-Seed-Spread.
Featured Projects
The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) joined iNET in 2016. Since then, employees at VANEOHS have developed a wide range of innovative solutions including new clinical programs, processes, and devices, all focused to improve the care and lives of our Veterans. Since the inception of the VANEOHS as an iNET site, the APT Center has been heavily engaged with the program and has established a seamless interface between the two VA organizations. From 2020 to present, the APT Center has had 27 projects selected to the iNET Spark-Seed-Spread program, which make up the majority of medical device-oriented projects coming out of VANEOHS. Highlighted projects include:
- Ventilatory Training for SCI
- Novel Hinged Tub Transfer Bench
- Upper Extremity Assisted Cycling
- Novel Tri-Cane
- Gravity Assisted Trike
- SmartVac – Real-Time Monitoring for Wound Care Clinicians
- Lag Screw Alignment Drill Guide
- SCI Rowing Program
- SCI Cycling Program
- Portable Eye Recording Goggles
- Soft Exoskeleton for Trunk Stability
- Footplate Pressure and Positioning Sensor System (FoPPS)
- Hybrid Powered Knee with Electrical Stimulation
- Self-Leveling Walker
For additional information on the VHA Innovators Network and its portfolio of programs, please visit Innovators Network | VHA Innovation Ecosystem.
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) Innovation Specialists
Gina Green began her career with VANEOHS shortly after finishing her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University. In her role, she facilitates project submission, project development and provides instruction on Human Centered Design strategies which empower employees to pursue their problem space and cultivate novel ideas. She has held a variety of positions within the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System including functioning as the sole therapist on a Home Based Primary Care Team, Administrative Officer/OT for Spinal Cord Injury, Associate Chief of Prosthetics, and Outreach Coordinator. Gina returned to Mount Mary University to complete her Occupational Therapy Doctorate in 2019. Her blend of clinical and administrative roles lends well to the Innovation space. As a clinician, Gina is an expert in the field of Aging in Place, Falls Reduction and Functional Vision Rehabilitation. Gina has also been a presenter at the AOTA National Conference, a featured speaker at the Cuyahoga County Conference on Aging, a presenter on occupationaltherapy.com, and a guest lecturer for the University of Florida Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program and currently serves as an Innovation Advisor for the MIT Catalyst program.
Frank Zitko joined the APT Center in 2018. His duties include providing project management and engineering support to APT Investigators and staff as they seek to improve the lives of Veterans through new, innovative medical devices and technology. His role also expands into the national VA level where he represents the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in the VA Innovation Center. He supports an interconnected network of innovative employees that help pilot and spread innovations across the Veterans Health Administration. Frank received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in 2011 and brings over 6 years of engineering experience in the medical device industry.
