Interim Health Undersecretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs Carolyn Clancy, MD, presents the keynote speech on problems and solutions in recent VA activity at the 2014 Paralyzed Veterans of America Summit + Expo at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Photo Devon O'Brien
The 2014 PVA Summit + Expo in Las Vegas ended with a keynote speech by Carolyn Clancy, MD, and more information to better health care at the hospital and at home
After a night of good food, conversation and dancing Paralyzed Veterans of America Summit + Expo attendees gathered for the final day of the event, Aug. 28. The day opened with a keynote address from Interim Health Undersecretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Carolyn Clancy, MD. Clancy outlined all the current problems in the VA Healthcare System with a focus on access to care and provided solutions. The goal is to be open and honest with the problems and how they are being worked on to gain back the trust of veterans.
“We’re thrilled. There’s a lot to celebrate and so much more to do,” Clancy says.
She also talked about the spinal-cord injury (SCI) centers as the “crown jewel of the VA.” One of the main goals within the SCI centers is to increase the number of patients using Telehealth. The web-based health care method, which brings medical professionals straight into your home via the Internet, had a dedicated session later in the afternoon.
Other clinics throughout the day covered complications of SCI such as pressure ulcer and chronic pain management, at-home emergency plans for people with SCI and the John N. Whitaker Memorial Lecture — Multiple Sclerosis: VA National Network of Care. In this plenary session Robert Ruff, MD, PhD, discussed care of patients with MS and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) within the VA Healthcare System. At the end of the presentation Ruff surprised the crowd by taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, on stage, in his suit, which received him a standing ovation.
