VA Innovation Ecosystem leader recognized for the Initiative to End Diabetic Limb Loss.
SOMERVILLE, Mass., June 29, 2021 — Podimetrics, a virtual care management company dedicated to preventing costly and deadly diabetic amputations, congratulates Suzanne Shirley today on winning the Service to Citizen Award in recognition for her leadership and dedication to the Veteran population through the Initiative to End Diabetic Limb Loss.
In her role as Director of Community Engagement and Fellowship at the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Ecosystem, Suzy has transformed the way the VA engages with both internal and external collaborators to drive and accelerate health care innovation within the country’s largest integrated health care systems.
“We are so excited to see Suzy and her team honored for the innovative and mission-driven work they are doing to improve health care for the Veteran population,” said Dr. Jon Bloom, CEO and Co-Founder of Podimetrics. “We are honored to work with Suzy on our mission to end diabetic limb loss.”
The VA is a leader in preventing amputations through its dedicated preventative care models that incorporate remote temperature monitoring. Nearly 25 percent of VA patients have diabetes, and diabetic foot complications are responsible for 80 percent of the non-traumatic amputations in the VA. In 2018 alone, the VA treated 75,000 diabetic foot wounds and spent more than $3 billion on diabetic foot ulcers, a precursor to amputations. Despite being largely preventable, diabetic amputations remain a problem in large part due to patient challenges accessing care. To address this problem, the VA works with Podimetrics’ to provide a comprehensive solution that helps VA providers remotely monitor Veterans for signs of complications and address problems early to prevent amputations.
Service to the Citizen Award
“Today, more than ever before, the public depends on the government for information, support and resources. The Service to the Citizen Awards recognizes and honors these dedicated public servants and their industry partners who have changed the lives of the public based on their needs during these challenging times,” said Martha Dorris, Founder of the Service to the Citizen™: Champions of Change Program. “This year, the dedication has been unmatched. We look forward to celebrating these successes.”
The VA’s Initiative to End Diabetic Limb Loss recently won a 2020 G2Xchange “Disruptive Tech- Shifting the Landscape” award recognizing “the Federal programs, and the teams who support them, those who push forward every day by driving disruptive change that positively impacts the mission they serve.” Suzy was also recently recognized with the prestigious Arthur S. Flemming Award for outstanding federal service in social science.
About Podimetrics
Podimetrics is a virtual care management company dedicated to preventing costly and deadly diabetic amputations. We provide high-risk patients our FDA-cleared SmartMat through partnerships with payers and at-risk providers, including the Veterans Health Administration. After placing their feet on the mat for just 20 seconds a day, patients’ data are automatically sent to our care management team, which helps address any concerning findings. By combining cutting-edge technology with best-in-class care management, Podimetrics earns high engagement rates from patients, and allows clinicians to achieve unparalleled outcomes saving limbs, lives, and money, keeping vulnerable populations healthy at home. Founded in 2011 by a physician and engineers from MIT and Harvard, Podimetrics is headquartered in Somerville, MA and backed by Norwich Ventures, Scientific Health Development, Polaris Partners, and Rock Health. For more information, go to www.podimetrics.com or follow us on Twitter @podimetrics
