The Military Health System will hold a press conference from 8:30 to 9:30 EDT, Nov. 24 in the DoD Briefing Room, Pentagon 2E973, to highlight the progress that has been made sharing electronic health information between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Briefers will discuss what the two departments are currently sharing, the positive impact that the progress of sharing has on continuity of patient care, the way forward toward full interoperability, and the alignment with national health information sharing efforts. These efforts support the delivery of the highest quality care to wounded warriors and shared beneficiaries.
America's Military Health System is a unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers, and healthcare providers and their support personnel worldwide. This DoD enterprise consists of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Combatant Command surgeons; and TRICARE providers (including private sector healthcare providers, hospitals and pharmacies).
The event will include a panel of experts in the field of electronic health data sharing who will provide more detail about current and future joint initiatives. Panelists include:
Dr. Stephen Jones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs
Dr. Gerald Cross, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health at the Veterans Health Administration
Robert M. Kolodner, M.D., National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Health & Human Services
Ms. Lois Kellett, Acting Director, DoD/VA Interagency Program Office
Following the speaker presentations, Dr. Ross Fletcher, M.D., Chief of Staff, Washington, DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Capt. Bob Marshall, M.D., of the Navy Bureau of Medicine, will give an interactive presentation demonstrating the interoperability of electronic health information sharing. After the demonstrations, media will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.
The press conference is part of Warrior Care Month, one of many activities and events sponsored by the Defense Department throughout November. To learn more about Warrior Care Month, go to www.warriorcare.mil .
Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the North Parking, Corridor 8 entrance only. Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification. Please call (703) 697-5131 for escort into the building.
