Did you hear who visited the Palo Alto VA yesterday?

On Thursday, August 21, Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a visit to the Palo Alto VA hospital. He came for a check-up—not for himself, but to see first hand the ways in which VA physicians and health care professionals are using his company’s technology to improve and advance care for Veterans. He even tweeted about it!

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks with VA employees in Palo Alto

Since 2013, the Palo Alto hospital and other VA facilities nationwide have rolled out iPad programs and mobile apps to aid the Veteran patient experience from initial scheduling through the conclusion of the appointment. With this type of technology, clinicians are able to write progress notes, enter orders, and complete other clinical tasks quickly and efficiently, allowing for more time for meaningful interaction with Veteran patients.

The iPad program is part of a greater commitment to leverage the power of mobile technology and builds on the success of programs including My HealtheVet and VA Blue Button. VA, and specifically the initiatives and pilot programs within Mobile Health, is dedicated to improving the health of Veterans by providing technologies that expand clinical care beyond the traditional office visit.

To learn more about the iPad program, visit VA Mobile Health.

If you are a health care provider and you’re interested in learning how you can contribute your skills and innovative thinking to advance Veteran care, visit VAcareers.va.gov.