Tampa Innovators Shine Bright: Celebrating Success in the Spark-Seed-Spread Program

 In FY25 a dynamic group of Tampa-based innovators has made significant strides developing solutions that improve the health experiences of Veterans, their families, caregivers, and VA employees.

Recently rebranded as the All-Employee Innovation Program, Spark-Seed-Spread identifies and accelerates employee-led innovations, providing investment and professional development opportunities. The program empowers VA employees across departments to address Veteran-focused, real-world challenges with creative, practical solutions.

The Innovation Program at Tampa VAMC is led by Dr. Indra Sandal, Chief of Innovation, who also oversees several high-impact national initiatives including the Veterans Health Venture Studio and the MIT Catalyst Fellowship Program. Under her leadership, the program continues to drive transformative change across the VA.

A key portfolio within this program is the Local Tampa Innovation Program, led by Innovation Specialist Ben Salatin. This initiative nurtures grassroots innovation, supports staff-driven projects, and fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration throughout the facility.

Salatin commented, “The innovators here at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital are some of the most passionate and talented people I’ve had the chance to work with. They’re deeply committed to finding real solutions that make a difference in Veterans’ lives. Being part of the larger VHA Innovation Ecosystem is so important—it connects us to a community that supports and inspires us, helping to turn good ideas into real change. Together, we’re making Veteran care better every day.”

Empowering Change Through Innovation

From health systems specialists and clinical pharmacists to psychiatrists and occupational therapists, the Tampa cohort represents a wide spectrum of expertise and perspectives. Their projects addressed a variety of pressing issues, each with a clear focus on enhancing care quality, innovating workflows, or increasing access to services.

Charles Goodman, Health Systems Specialist, launched the Wayfinding with Empathy project to ease the confusion and stress caused by outdated wayfinding systems at the Tampa VAMC. By engaging both Veterans and staff, Charles explored the potential for a smartphone-based navigation solution that promises a more intuitive and accessible experience for all visitors.

In the Emergency Department, Lukose Joseph, Clinical Pharmacist, tackled medication safety with Locating Your Medication: Where is my Pill? His work highlights the risks associated with manual medication labeling lacking barcodes and system integration, aiming to reduce errors and delays for Veterans receiving care.

The Project Minerva initiative, led by Kelly Alio, Program Support Assistant, addresses the fragmented scheduling processes within the Amputation Specialty Program. Her research with specialty care teams at multiple VA sites has paved the way for more coordinated and error-resistant scheduling systems, directly enhancing patient care continuity.

Innovations Supporting Veteran Wellness

Mental health and wellness are core themes for several projects. Jeffrey Dudas, RN in the Mental Health SUD Outpatient Clinic, developed From Survive to Thrive, focusing on restoring the “tribal” support networks Veterans often lose after discharge—a critical factor in suicide prevention and recovery.

The SomKnow Project, spearheaded by Laura Bajor (2023 MIT Catalyst Fellow), Staff Psychiatrist, leverages wearable sleep data and AI technologies to improve treatment outcomes for Veterans with PTSD by providing objective sleep quality insights. The project has already secured key resources to prototype AI algorithms and is advancing toward collaborative care improvements.

Another vital area of innovation is injury prevention. Paul Albear (2023-Present MIT Catalyst Fellow), Chief of Plastic Surgery, led a project creating sensors to monitor microclimate conditions at pressure points to prevent pressure injuries in spinal cord injury patients—an advancement with the potential to reduce a painful and costly complication.

Enhancing Diagnostic and Clinical Efficiency

Dermatology care benefits from the work of Thomas Beachkofsky (2024-Present MIT Catalyst Fellow), Dermatologist, who is developing an AI-powered full-face dermoscopy device to detect facial skin cancers early, improving access and outcomes for Veterans through non-contact screening outside traditional clinics.

David Beck, RN and Quality Management Specialist, created the Easy EKG Kit, a tamper-resistant clamshell case that secures EKG leads, simplifies cleaning, and prevents damage—addressing a common source of diagnostic errors and equipment loss.

Supporting Providers and Patients Alike

Several innovations focus on improving provider workflows and patient interactions. Dana Glenn, Women’s Health Medical Director, developed Caring For Her, a digital training guide tailored to VA residents navigating women’s health electronic records, enhancing education and patient care.

Deanna Smith, Lead CT Tech, designed the Tootsie Holder, a compact, radiolucent device that improves imaging quality and patient comfort during CT and MRI scans of lower extremities, streamlining diagnostic processes.

Michelle Schlesinger (2023 Veterans Health Hackathon Mentor), Occupational Therapist and 2023 Veterans Health Hackathon Mentor, developed the Virtual Care Assistant, a platform integrated with MyHealtheVet that uses natural language processing and visuals to improve health literacy for Veterans, helping them better understand their care plans post-discharge. Joining her are teammates Josef Mendez Lopez and Michael Rivera, who collaboratively contribute their expertise to advance this innovative solution.

Bringing Care Closer to Rural Veterans

The Mobile Mammogram Initiative, founded by Ashley Sard and Robin Norris, helped to overcome access barriers for rural women Veterans around the Lecanto VA Clinic by delivering mammography services via a mobile unit in partnership with a Veteran-owned business, expanding screening rates and early detection. They laid the groundwork for spreading this valuable service to women Veterans in rural northern Florida by partnering with the Women's Health dept at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Healthcare System.

A Culture of Innovation and Impact

These projects reflect the dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit of Tampa VA employees committed to enhancing Veteran care and staff experience. Their successes demonstrate how frontline insights, combined with innovative thinking and support from the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, can lead to meaningful improvements across a wide range of health care services.

The impact of these innovations on Veterans and VA employees alike will continue to develop—showcasing the power of employee-led innovation in advancing the mission of the VA.