Dr. Rona Relova’s FastTrack PGx Wins Prestigious Innovation Awards
By Michael Hill-Jackson, Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Dr. Rona Relova’s groundbreaking work on the FastTrack PGx project has earned her significant recognition, winning both the 2025 FORUM Innovation Award and the 2025 InterSystems Impact Award.
The FORUM Innovation Awards, presented in Reston, Virginia, celebrate leadership, technology, and transformation in the public sector, while the InterSystems Impact Awards, presented in Orlando, Florida, highlight the realized impact of creative solutions in the Health Information Exchange. This “world winner” award was decided by an independent panel of judges from M.I.T., making this recognition an esteemed honor.
Dr. Relova’s project focuses on enhancing the interoperability of medical data systems, making it easier for clinicians to access vital Pharmacogenomics (PGx) data. Clinicians use PGx results to tailor their patients’ prescriptions, ensuring that medications are both more effective and safer. The Data Arch platform allows for timely and accessible PGx data which clinicians can use as a clinical decision support tool.
“This innovative project reduces the risk of medication errors by identifying the most appropriate drugs for each individual patient, effectively increasing treatment efficacy while minimizing potential toxicity,” Dr. Relova explained. “Our goal is to support clinicians with critical alerts for drug-gene interactions when prescribing medications.”
The PGx-Data Arch innovation is projected to impact about 5,000 new Veterans each month and is already operational in 13 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) with plans for enterprise-wide expansion across all VA medical facilities. The success and efficiency of this new platform symbolize a significant step forward in precision medicine for all Veterans.
Dr. Relova expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Winning these awards is a tremendous honor. It validates the hard work and dedication of our team in striving to provide the best possible care for our Veterans. In collaboration with VA Innovation Unit, National PGx Program office, VHA Innovation Ecosystem, we are committed to leveraging novel technologies in this journey of innovation and excellence in health care.”