Kshemendra Paul, a more than 14-year information technology veteran in the federal government sector, has been appointed chief data officer and executive director for data governance and analytics at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The department said Monday that Paul will lead business intelligence as well as data governance and analytics operations to help inform decision-making across the VA enterprise.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled a new program to train health care providers on the new electronic health record platform. The program, dubbed VA Innovative Technology Advancement Lab, has selected 76 participants to provide feedback that will be used to continuously improve the Cerner-built EHR technology, the department said Monday. 

James Gfrerer, chief information officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, has said the VA Office of Information and Technology has embarked on multiple digital projects with the internt to transform service delivery. He wrote in a commentary posted Thursday on FCW that digital transformation involves the integration of technology, processes and personnel.

James Byrne, general counsel at the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been senate-confirmed to serve as VA's deputy secretary, Military Times reported Wednesday. He has been functioning as deputy secretary on an acting basis since August 2018. President Trump nominated Byrne for the full-time position in April.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is teaming with Virta Health, a San Francisco-based healthcare company, to manage the condition of patients and offer non-invasive treatments with type 2 diabetes. The partnership will allow 400 veterans to join the Virta Treatment program, to assist patients in maintaining glycemic control without the need for medicines, VA said Monday. The agency added that the treatment will be provided for free at a span of 12 months.

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to boost contractual partnerships with veteran-owned and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. The VA said Monday it aims to provide 17 percent of its contracts to businesses owned by veterans while 15 percent will be allocated to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in a move to reinforce its contracting goals by five percent.

The Department of Veterans Affairs implemented legislation to streamline the agency’s claims and appeals process for former U.S. service members. VA said Tuesday that the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 will reduce its inventory of legacy appeals. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its virtual 3D printing network designed to streamline medical functions such as presurgical planning and orthotics, VA said Thursday.

The department commenced the nationwide effort at the Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle, Wash.

Cheryl Rawls, who has served with the Department of Veterans Affairs for 20 years, was appointed executive director of VA's Office of Transition and Economic Development. She will consult VA leaders regarding the delivery of services supporting veterans and servicemen who are transitioning out of the military, the department said Monday.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign multiple programs within the Veterans Health Administration into four offices in an effort to improve care coordination for former service members.