With Our Forces Combined
A new vision and approach to greater health calls for a world where everyone is a changemaker. Where everyone is empowered with that belief. Even government employees working in a corner of a large, hierarchical bureaucracy.
As a space that promotes innovation within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), we are at the crossroads of many "What if," questions. What if we could promote the use of innovation across the Department to better deliver on our mission to enhance and protect the health and well-being of the public? What if we applied lean and design-centered thinking approaches to the critical challenges we encounter? What if red tape and the fear of failure didn't stand in the way of a winning idea to improve efficiency? Our work begins with defining the problem, collaboratively imagining what's possible, and helping teams as they navigate towards that vision.
Under the leadership of our Chief Technology Officer, Susannah Fox, our small but mighty team has had the privilege of supporting and listening to entrepreneurial ninjas both within and outside government. These teams and individuals are committed to harnessing the power of technology, data and innovation as a force for good in health.
We have supported some pretty awesome projects and efforts ranging from leading the charge to liberate health data from HHS agency vaults to transforming the organ procurement and transplantation system to making 3D printed biomedical models more accessible for medical research, discovery and care. As a government agency, we may never be at the cutting-edge of health innovation. We may as well face it. Yet, at the same time, WE ARE part of a complete vision of shaping a healthier world. And that's why nurturing and growing creative thinking and action within government agencies like HHS is so important.
The IDEA Lab has worked with some incredibly fearless, mission-driven innovators within our Agency who are determined to hack red tape and better serve the public with little or no glory. We have also met amazing communities of entrepreneurs, scientists, makers, patients, clinicians, engineers and everything in between who are leading the way to better health, and creating the path as they go.
What if those superpowers came together and worked in greater synergy?
We look forward to imagining that "what if," for health and medicine.
***
This is a modified version of a cross-post from the TEDMED 2016 blog.
Interested in engaging in our efforts to hack red tape to better serve the public? Great, we have two ideas in mind:
*For fellow HHS innovators and problem solvers, the HHS Ventures Fund is currently seeking to invest in proven, early stage solutions to better deliver on the Department's mission. Learn more and apply today (thru December 20th).
*Sign-up for non-spammy updates from us on opportunities, events and generally what we are up to.
Thank you for your commitment!
