Kevin Galpin, M.D., Executive Director of Telehealth Services for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), is being recognized for spearheading transformative initiatives that have significantly enhanced access and quality of care for veterans across the United States.

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Dr. Galpin oversees a comprehensive telehealth program that spans more than 900 VA sites of care, offering services in over 50 specialty areas. Since assuming leadership in 2016, he has driven substantial growth in VA's telehealth program, expanding services by over 225%. Under his guidance, the "Anywhere to Anywhere" telehealth initiative was developed, allowing VA clinicians to care for veterans anywhere in the country, both on and off federal property, as authorized by the 2018 MISSION Act.

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Dr. Galpin's leadership was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he rapidly expanded VA's telehealth capacity. This included facilitating video telehealth appointments through VA Video Connect, ensuring continuity of care for veterans during lockdowns and beyond. The program's success is evident from FY23 results, where VHA provided telehealth care to over 2.4 million veterans, representing 40% of VA's patient population, and delivered more than 11.6 million telehealth appointments.

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Under his direction, telehealth services have been extended to include at-home monitoring for chronic conditions, video appointments, store-and-forward telehealth for sharing health data, and TeleCritical Care for ICU patients. Dr. Galpin also initiated the ATLAS program, collaborating with veteran organizations to establish community-based telehealth access points nationwide, enhancing convenience for veterans in remote areas.

Dr. Galpin's initiatives have not only expanded access but also improved satisfaction among veterans, with trust and satisfaction levels with telehealth services increasing for the third consecutive year in FY23 (86.9% and 89.9%, respectively). His efforts to bridge the digital divide have been instrumental, securing partnerships with major companies to improve internet connectivity and access to VA healthcare services.

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In summary, Dr. Galpin's leadership at VHA Telehealth Services has been marked by innovation, strategic expansion, and a commitment to enhancing veteran care through accessible, high-quality telehealth services. His initiatives continue to set benchmarks for improving public service delivery and ensuring veterans receive the care they deserve regardless of their location.