The Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration are not only the nation's two biggest health care providers, they also often have to provide it under the most trying circumstances imaginable.
How these two huge complex, closed, multi-disciplinary integrated systems are meeting the latest challenges of providing care to diverse patient populations in these times is a story in itself. In the process of taking care of the troops, both also have become models in improving outcomes. There may, in short, be lessons for the civilian health care systems in their experiences. Come hear two of the systems' leaders talk about their quality initiatives, their improving outcomes and the care of our troops.
Lawrence A. Biro
As director of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs' Rocky Mountain Network of care, Mr. Biro has brought a special emphasis on quality and efficiency to a complex (and soon-to-move) integrated system. He has installed processes that have dramatically improved third-party collections, cut indirect costs by a fifth and, by eliminating a waiting list of almost 27,000 veterans, vastly expanded access to care. It pushed the region to number one among within the Veterans Health Administration. For his efforts, he was one of two VA employees to receive the 2004 Presidential Rank Distinguished Executive Award.
Lt. Col. Paul A. Friedrichs
Lieutenant Colonel (Dr.) Paul A. Friedrichs serves as the Air Force Space Command Chief of Aeromedical and Chief of Clinical Services, the only dual-hatted Command Physician in the Air Force. He provides oversight for the quality of medical care at eight wings, seven bases, and 46 sites worldwide, helping set policy for the 1,490 medical personnel responsible for the health and well being of over more than 157,000 active duty members, retirees, and dependents with a medical budget exceeding $185M. He provides clinical input into AFSPC medical readiness planning, training and execution. Lt. Col. Friedrichs was awarded the Bronze Star after his tour as a commander in Iraq.
