The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) is proud to announce that two of its distinguished employees, Jeremy Goldberg and Dr. Michelle Petrovic, have been chosen as fellows in the esteemed MIT Catalyst Fellowship. This collaborative program, a partnership between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Innovation Ecosystem, is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to address unmet medical needs in healthcare.
Fellowship Focuses on Transformative Healthcare Solutions
Goldberg, a mental health clinical social worker, and Dr. Petrovic, a director of medical simulation and attending anesthesiologist, are set to join a multidisciplinary cohort that will work on tackling critical healthcare challenges. The fellowship is known for bringing together professionals from diverse fields to create groundbreaking solutions with the potential to significantly impact veterans’ healthcare.
Goldberg, who has served as the Mental Health Social Work Section Manager at OVAHCS since 2015, brings over 15 years of clinical experience to the fellowship. His leadership has fostered a supportive, values-based culture within OVAHCS’s mental health programs. Goldberg expressed his excitement for the opportunity, stating, “As both a social worker and mental health professional, I’m excited to contribute my insights to projects that could positively impact Veterans nationwide.” He also highlighted his hope to offer a unique perspective to the fellowship, particularly given the traditionally medical and engineering backgrounds of most fellows.
Dr. Petrovic’s Expertise in Patient Safety and Innovation
Dr. Petrovic, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, brings a wealth of experience, including leading patient safety initiatives at Johns Hopkins University and mentoring fellows at the VHA National Center for Patient Safety. She views the MIT Catalyst Fellowship as a critical platform for advancing healthcare innovation that directly benefits Veterans. Dr. Petrovic has outlined her goals for the fellowship, focusing on two major initiatives: predictive physiologic detection of early-stage opioid overdose and precision medicine related to traumatic brain injury and sleep disturbances. Both projects leverage AI digital biomarkers and cross-sector collaboration, aiming to drive transformative change in Veterans’ care.
“Through this fellowship, I aim to address critical challenges such as predictive physiologic detection of early-stage opioid overdose,” said Dr. Petrovic. “Additionally, I will focus on precision medicine related to traumatic brain injury and sleep disturbances.”
Phases of the MIT Catalyst Fellowship
The MIT Catalyst Fellowship is divided into several phases, with the first phase running from January to June. During this phase, fellows identify critical healthcare needs, develop innovative solutions, and refine their ideas through research proposals. This immersive process includes clinical experiences, stakeholder interviews, and teamwork across disciplines.
Dr. Petrovic has already completed Phase 1 and is now advancing into Phase 2, a highly competitive stage that focuses on executing and commercializing healthcare innovations. “Phase 2 is not guaranteed; it involves rigorous screening by MIT faculty to determine which projects advance,” Dr. Petrovic explained. This phase typically spans several years and aims to bring transformative healthcare solutions to market.
Goldberg, who is entering Phase 1 of the fellowship, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to contribute fresh perspectives. “This is an incredible opportunity to develop ideas that could significantly benefit Veterans and enhance the cohort’s work,” he said.
The Future of Healthcare Innovation for Veterans
Dr. Petrovic’s progress as a Phase 2 fellow, including her leadership in opioid overdose prevention and traumatic brain injury research, underscores the potential impact of her work. In addition to her role in the fellowship, Dr. Petrovic serves as a subject matter expert for the VHA Pathfinder Program, ensuring that innovation proposals align with the needs of Veterans.
Timothy J. Cooke, Director of the Orlando VA Healthcare System, praised Goldberg and Dr. Petrovic for their achievements, noting, “The fellowship is a testament to the incredible talent at the Orlando VA. Jeremy and Dr. Petrovic embody our commitment to innovation and excellence in care for Veterans.”
The collaboration between the VHA Innovation Ecosystem and MIT Catalyst highlights the importance of cross-sector partnerships in driving advancements in healthcare. The work of these fellows promises to create lasting, positive changes in the care of Veterans and may have a broader impact on the healthcare community at large.
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