VA Deputy Secretary Visits HERL

On June 24, 2020, HERL Director Dr. Rory Cooper and his team at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (a joint Center of the University of Pittsburgh and US Department of Veteran Affairs) had the privilege to host a visit by the Acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs Pamela J. Powers, along with VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System leadership, and Mr. Liessard, VISN-4 Director. Ms. Powers toured HERL facilities and saw first-hand the wheelchairs, robots, access devices, and instrumentation that HERL is designing and developing. She also had the opportunity to witness COVID-19 test swabs being fabricated for use in VA. Ms. Powers recognized several individuals to include Dr. Alicia Koontz for 20-years of service to the VA, Dr. Garrett Grindle for his leading the effort for VA Technology Transfer Assistance and the HERL COVID-19 test swab project, and Mr. David Gifford (SFC Army Veteran of the 28th ID of the PA National Guard) for his support of research and service as a peer-mentor for fellow wounded, injured, and ill Veterans.