Collaborating with VA to increase access to care for Veterans in rural America

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  • March 17 2025
  • Duration 5:1

Telehealth is vital to increasing access and removing geographic and digital barriers to care. Philips teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion through Project ATLAS to donate telehealth solutions which allow Veterans to conduct virtual appointments with their VA care teams.

Virtual medical care, anywhere thumbnail

At-a-glance:

  • [0:11] – Extending access to care for Veterans in rural areas
  • [1:16] – The potential of telehealth to remove barriers to care
  • [1:49] – VA’s mission to deliver care to Veterans and the importance of collaboration
  • [3:06] – The co-creation process: gathering feedback from Veterans to inform telehealth need

With the implementation of the historic MISSION Act, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is extending access to healthcare for Veterans who live in rural areas. Philips and VA are working together to explore ways to leverage new resources and technologies to provide world class care for Veterans who live far from VA facilities.

Telehealth is vital to increasing access and removing geographic and digital barriers to care. Philips teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion through Project ATLAS to donate telehealth solutions which allow Veterans to conduct virtual appointments with their VA care teams.

It’s projects like this where we have that connectivity, and we have a therapeutic environment. A space where the community can rally towards and really build something meaningful. This is the way of the future.”

Dr. Leonie Heyworth
VA Synchronous Telehealth Lead

The ATLAS journey began with design exploration and co-create sessions with VA and Veterans in three locations: Eureka, Montana; Linesville, Pennsylvania; and Los Banos, California.

When I need to see the doctor I need to travel 70 miles one direction and drive back 70 miles. The fact that this is so convenient it’s going to make a difference in people’s lives.

Ron Glasgow
VFW Post 6876 Senior Vice Commander
Eureka, MT
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