Pioneering pathways: How VA Augusta is revolutionizing Veteran healthcare
Picture this: James Rush, a Marine Corps Veteran who has struggled with profound hearing loss for years, is now able to engage in conversations with a newfound ease thanks to a piece of innovative technology.
VA Augusta Health Care System, renowned for its forward-thinking initiatives and cutting-edge solutions, provided Rush with XanderGlasses — a groundbreaking device that displays real-time closed captioning for those hard of hearing, bringing conversations to life in ways he never imagined.
“Just putting on — the simple task of putting the glasses on — changed my quality of life instantly,” said Rush.
His wife, Janet, echoes this transformation, describing how these glasses have rekindled their communication and closeness after 40 years of marriage.
“There were times when I would say something, I’d have to repeat it three or four times... and then a conversation — we don't have any more conversation. But we got (that) back,” she said.
Rush's story is just one example of the transformative impact of the VA Augusta’s Innovation Program, which utilizes Veteran feedback to develop life-enhancing solutions.
VA Augusta audiologist Dr. Lisa Rogers underscored the glasses' potential.
“People think about audiology as hearing, but what we really want to give our Veterans is communication,” said Rogers. “This amazing new technology provides a new pathway to communication for patients whose auditory systems are damaged.”
The XanderGlasses, a collaboration between VA Augusta and Xander through the VHA’s Innovators Network Greenhouse Initiative, epitomize VA Augusta's dedication to enhancing Veterans’ lives through advanced technology. However, the commitment to innovation doesn't stop there.
Enter Ebony Dillard, a physical therapy assistant whose first week on the job was nothing short of remarkable. Recognizing a critical need among patients with limited lower extremity strength, Dillard conceived a device designed to reduce falls — aptly named the Device for gait, Efficiency, and Balance, or DEB. The name also honors Dillard’s mother, Debbie
“There is currently nothing to assist patients in keeping their feet apart while building lower extremity strength,” said Dillard. “I am who I am because of how my mom raised me and I wanted to make sure she was a part of it.”
With support from VA Augusta’s local innovation program, Dillard and the physical therapy team created and refined multiple prototypes. Using human-centered design — a methodology that prioritizes human needs and feedback — they measured various aspects of Veterans’ walks, continually improving the prototype.
“Human-centered design is a methodology we use to solve problems by focusing on human needs first,” said Kelsey Shull, who leads VA Augusta’s Innovation team.
Their efforts paid off. The DEB significantly improved walking distances for Veterans who tested the device. Recognizing its potential impact, the VA Southeast Network (VISN 7) named Dillard’s work a top innovation project in the region and the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the DEB a provisional patent, which Dillard hopes will enable DEB to spread nationwide.
Underpinning these efforts is Shull, who in addition to being named VHA’s Innovation Specialist of the Year in 2023 was also selected as a 2025 VHA Innovation Ecosystem (IE) Senior Innovation Fellow. Shull, who started her career at VA Augusta in 2012, has been instrumental in driving the health care system’s innovation program. She is joined by Chris Ndeti, another VA Augusta innovation specialist whose background in music and recreational therapy brings a unique perspective to the team.
“Chris’s work has extended our reach beyond the walls of the Augusta campuses to connect with Veteran entrepreneurs and community partners to build a coalition for transforming Veteran healthcare,” said Shull.
Together, Shull and Ndeti, along with dedicated VA Augusta professionals like Dillard and Rogers, continue to champion solutions that not only meet the medical needs of Veterans but also enhance their quality of life. As VA Augusta paves the way for future healthcare innovations, one thing is clear: they are more than just a healthcare system — they are a beacon of hope, nurturing a community where Veterans can thrive.