New MHS innovation chief looks to accelerate progress in health and readiness Published July 13, 2015 Military Health System Communications Office WASHINGTON -- Innovation means more than inventing new widgets and programs that make life easier; it means changing a mindset. That's the view of the new chief of innovation for the Military Health System (MHS), Dr. Steve Steffensen, who sees major change in how health care must be delivered in the future. "From an innovation perspective, the MHS needs to accelerate progress in health and readiness," said Steffensen. "Innovation is about identifying tools, practices and opportunities to partner to better serve our beneficiaries and meet our operational mission." Steffensen said there are innovation components of the different directorates within the Defense Health Agency, working on things such as advances in electronic health records or changes in education and training. Even telehealth medical appointments, where the doctor and patient only see each other through a computer screen, are possibilities for the MHS down the road. But he added innovations should not be seen as just new technologies. Innovations are just as likely as advancements in policies, processes and services. In fact, instead of creating something new, an innovation could be the reinvention of an existing product or technique to serve another purpose. Steffensen emphasized the need to recognize innovation as a mindset to be cultivated within an organization. "This requires us to acknowledge that true innovation is born of necessity and not owned by a single office or individual." Steffensen said confining innovation to a single entity hinders progress and prevents diversity of ideas. He added that innovation has no master, but it does require an advocate who can recognize, promote and share best practices. The ability to recognize where innovation is needed is important because a new technology is not always the best solution to a problem. Steffensen noted that "just because something is technically possible doesn't make it necessary." Having a broad perspective on innovation is important, and Steffensen seeks to align innovation with the mission and strategy of the MHS. He's a former active duty Navy neurologist and continues to see patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He also has experience in managing the largest health technology research portfolio in the MHS and has represented MHS at the national level in discussions about improving nationwide interoperability for better care for all beneficiaries. "As innovators, we have to know the difference between doing something to a patient and doing something for a patient. Technology can do both, but true innovation needs to focus on what we are doing for a patient." The same is true for the combat medics as they focus on treating wounded warriors on the battlefield. Steffensen emphasized that the scope of innovation in the MHS includes the combat, community and global health space. It's a broad perspective, but one that Steffensen believes is necessary if the MHS is to remain relevant to those entrusted to that care.