Bootcamp: VA Innovators Network launches new groups of employees

VA’s (iNET)’s mission is to support frontline employees who solve the challenges facing VA by creating innovative, breakthrough solutions. One-way iNET does this is through the Spark-Seed-Spread (Spark-Seed-Spread) Innovation Investment and Accelerator Program.

Spark-Seed-Spread supports both the personal and professional growth of frontline staff and provides resources toward the development of innovative solutions. In November, 114 frontline employees kicked-off their investment year at a superhero-themed bootcamp event in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 15 through 17.

Welcome to bootcamp

Bootcamp is designed for employees to dive into the world of innovation and prepare to set off on their own innovation journeys. Held over three days, investees received a peek into what their monthly sessions will look like and began training in innovation fundamentals. Some of these fundamentals included problem-framing and stakeholder-mapping

Day One launched with a special recorded message from the Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef M. Elnahal. Participants then created their “coat of arms” as an initial icebreaker in breakouts. The remainder of the day was spent utilizing human centered design (HCD) during a “design dash” exercise.

Innovation superheroes

Day Two started with remarks from Deputy Under Secretary for Health Dr. Carolyn Clancy, an icebreaker in which investees were asked to draw their “innovation superhero.” Bootcamp continued with an “introduction to problem framing” workshop.

Prepared with a focused problem, investees participated in an hour of “problem speed dating.” Once the speed dating session was complete, employees broke out by problem for more in-depth discussion and connection, collaborating with one another for further ideation.

Workshop focused on new skills

“I am amazed by my colleagues’ creativity and drive. I’m excited to learn design methodology and apply it to my project,” said Emily Karam of San Francisco VA.

Bootcamp wrapped on Day Three with a workshop focusing on how to conduct discovery interviews and user experience testing, which are both skills they will use during their investment year. Employees will utilize these skills as they interview Veterans and staff to design a prototype, and then test that prototype for user feedback.

An innovation journey begins

These frontline employees will take the energy and education from Bootcamp home to VA medical centers around the country as they innovate to improve Veteran care and experience.

VA Minneapolis Health Care employee Steve Morin summed up Bootcamp experience with, “iNET makes an agency with over 350,000 people feel like friends and family. No egos, just ‘outside the box’, team-driven, problem solving.”

Want to support VHA IE’s innovation revolution? Visit our website to learn about opportunities to become involved in innovation at VA.