DigitalVA Expo Shatters VA Livestream Records

From enhancing the existing VA experience for Veterans to welcoming a new generation of Veterans through expanded VA benefits, VA is pursuing transformative modernization to deliver a world-class digital experience for Veterans. To showcase these efforts, VA hosted the DigitalVA Expo in Silicon Valley on June 29, 2023.

Broadcasted live from the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, VA leaders and industry partners shared how VA is improving Veterans’ lives through innovation and emerging tech tools. More than 25,000 viewers across the country tuned in to this immersive, fast-paced experience filled with inspiring keynotes and thought-provoking panelist discussions — making the DigitalVA Expo broadcast VA’s most-watched live event in five years.

Reflecting on VA’s history and looking toward the future, VA Secretary Denis McDonough stated in his opening remarks, “the Veteran experience in the past was marked by a lack of accessibility, too little integration, and few digital health care options.” However, the DigitalVA Expo presentations provided an aerial view of how VA is making it easier for Veterans to find, apply for, and use the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. “We’re poised right now to deliver a completely new, fully integrated experience, at which the support Vets need is just a few clicks away,” said Secretary McDonough.

Following the Secretary’s opening remarks, technologists at VA and distinguished partners took the stage to walk through Veteran experiences and how VA services are improving their lives. VA is focused on a human-centered design approach, specifically from a Veteran-centric perspective, to reduce wait times and accelerate decision-making, while keeping Veterans’ data safe and secure.  

Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Kurt DelBene and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Charles Worthington outlined several priorities supporting VA’s vision to be the best IT organization in the Federal Government. As these VA leaders stressed the need to adapt to how Veterans want to receive their care, in-person and virtual attendees got a glimpse of VA’s complex systems and how VA is streamlining those services through a redesigned VA.gov website, a real-time chatbot, a comprehensive health and benefits mobile app, and enhanced telehealth technology.

Technological advances, including VA mobile apps and 24/7 crisis services, are connecting Veterans to VA care — wherever and whenever they need it. “For many Veterans, having access to the kind of care that only VA can provide can be quite literally lifesaving,” VA CIO Kurt DelBene shared in his keynote.

Building upon how personal VA services are for Veterans, Secretary McDonough introduced the video trailer of Beyond the Uniform: Vets Driving VA Digital Experiences. The Veterans’ stories provide an up-close view of how increased integration, accessibility, and expanded digital options greatly improve their day-to-day lives. “We’re partnered with industry to leverage best practices in AI, natural language processing, machine learning, [and] robotic process automatic technology,” said Secretary McDonough. “That means using automation to help us make better, faster, [and] more informed decisions, improving Veteran health outcomes and benefits decisions.”

The event’s insightful keynotes and panels shed light on how VA is working with Veterans Service Organizations to help more Veterans access digital tools that meet them where they are. “I am a big proponent of when [Veterans] hit that submit button or pick up the phone…we have to be ready to serve and ready to remove any of those barriers they’re finding,” said Wounded Warrior Project’s Vice President of Warrior Experience Dana Dreckman, in the “Bridging the Digital Divide” panel.

After the event, one attendee shared, “I’m impressed with the VA’s leading role in the digital transformation of Federal Government.” VA hopes to inspire more Veterans and top tech talent to join VA in delivering an exceptional digital experience to Veterans, their families, and their caregivers.

Check out the DigitalVA Expo recording to see all of the presentations and to learn more about how VA is transforming the Veteran experience.