Over the past two years, I have been honored to serve alongside Dr. Laura Kroupa, chief medical officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization (OEHRM). I am extremely proud to see her efforts recognized through an IMPACT award from FedHealthIT magazine.
Dr. Kroupa was one of four VA leaders recognized at the Leading for Impact: Women in Leadership conference on Oct. 30 for their contributions to the federal technology and consulting community. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie noted that this recognition is proof that VA is breaking barriers in leadership and innovation; I wholeheartedly agree. By any measure, Dr. Kroupa is solidifying her position as one of the foremost leaders in health IT.
When I think I have a hard job, I think about Dr. Kroupa
Our ongoing mission to implement a common, interoperable electronic health record (EHR) solution in conjunction with the Department of Defense is not easy. OEHRM leadership must set the tone and guide our team through the uncertainties and changes that lie ahead, always focusing on our end goal of improving the delivery of health care to our nation’s Veterans. When I think I have a hard job, I think about Dr. Kroupa and how well she balances the challenges of her role to help us stay the course. At presentations and meetings we attend together, I marvel at what a bright, inspiring and effective leader Dr. Kroupa is. I am constantly amazed at how she describes incredibly complex systems and effectively communicates clinical and technical information to any audience. With her deep knowledge and commitment to our mission, she stands at the forefront of key decisions that drive our modernization effort.
Our clinical champion
This IMPACT award is a testament to how Dr. Kroupa leverages her medical expertise to establish VA’s national clinical standards, which was critical to begin the build for our new EHR solution. Before she assumed the role of OEHRM’s clinical champion, she served as both the deputy and chief medical information officer for the program. In her 30-year career at VA, Dr. Kroupa has served as a staff physician, associate chief of staff for primary care, acting chief of staff for research and associate chief of staff for education at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.
As a Veteran myself, I appreciate her commitment to Veteran care and to ensuring the new EHR solution is a clinically effective, state-of-the-art tool for our health care providers.
I am humbled to serve with Dr. Kroupa and to be a part of this organization, striving every day to provide high-quality care for our nation’s Veterans.
Dr. Kroupa, congratulations on this award! I am sure there will be more to come.
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