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Diffusion of Excellence Shark Tank 2023

Application Closed. Semifinalists Coming Soon!


Forecast Update: Powerful swell of innovations with a chance of spreading across VHA. Application season is now closed; semifinalists are coming. Be on the lookout for Sharks!

VHA Shark Tank Competition identifies frontline employee innovations that promote positive outcomes and improved experiences for Veterans, employees, caregivers, and VHA community. The competition spotlights passionate employees who are addressing the toughest challenges across VHA and provides a platform for exposure from all levels of leadership.

Applications closed on April 28. Thank you and good luck to all VHA innovators who applied to the competition – we have our fins crossed for you! Did you miss jumping aboard with your application for 2023? Be on the lookout for next year’s application period in Spring 2024.

Evaluators are now reviewing applications. Diffusion will announce semifinalists on June 12 and finalists on August 15. Applicants may reference the Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below or contact the VA Diffusion Support Team with any questions.

Coming Soon: 2023 Shark Recruitment

Are you a Medical Center or VISN Director looking to take a bite out of innovation? Be sure to tuna-in starting the week of July 11 – The Week of Sharks! Diffusion will open the floodgates on Shark recruitment information and applications. Sharks place bids on finalist practices to fish for a chance to replicate one of the practices at their facility! Check back for more information.

For immediate questions, please contact the VA Diffusion Support Team at VADiffusionSupport@va.gov.


2023 VHA Shark Tank Highlighted Priorities:

Nominated practices addressed one or more of the below 2023 VHA Shark Tank Highlighted Priorities. For more information on the 2023 priorities click here.

  • Onboarding employees faster
  • Accelerating HR Specialist training and readiness (HR STAR)
  • Investing in VA employees

  • Access initiatives
  • Care coordination
  • Referral Coordination Initiative (RCI)

  • Veterans exposure resources
  • Treating Veterans’ whole health
  • PACT Act

  • Ensuring Veteran access
  • Enhancing Veteran care
  • Recognizing employee commitment to HRO

  • The Homeless Programs Office (HPO)
  • Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)
  • The Whole Health approach to Long COVID

  • Enhancing Veteran access
  • Enhancing Veteran care
  • Making progress

2023 VHA Shark Tank Timeline

VHA Shark Tank Timeline

Facility Communication Toolkit

Facility leaders are encouraged to promote the announcement of this year’s VHA Shark Tank Competition semifinalists at their facilities. A customizable toolkit will be available soon.


Check out the fin-tastic highlights of VHA Shark Tank Competition through the video below!

ABOVE: VHA Shark Tank Highlights

2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition Winners and Finalists

Click on the document below to view the 2022 Promising Practices and winning facility Shark Bids and check out testimonials from previous VHA Shark Tank winners.

Image of 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition Finalists

View the 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition Pitches!

At the 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition, held during VHA Innovation Experience (iEX), finalists competed for the chance to replicate their innovations at another health care facility. Check out the 2022 finalist pitches through the video below!

ABOVE: 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition Finalist Pitches

For more information about all finalists for the 2022 VHA Shark Tank Competition, check out the below Marketplace pages.

Contraception on Demand Marketplace Card Image

Contraception on Demand

Expanding contraceptive access via pharmacy consults and 12-month supply

Created in May 2020 by the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive, Seattle VA Medical Center
CPRS Booster/Robotic Employee Accelerator Marketplace Card Image

CPRS Booster/Robotic Employee Accelerator

Booster: Turbocharging employee work efficiency while dramatically improving work satisfaction! Goodbye Burnout!

Created in October 2020 by the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Employee Well-Being Centers and Carts Marketplace Card Image

Employee Well-Being Centers and Carts

Feeling workplace burnout & looking for a solution....it is here!

Created in March 2020 by the Orlando VA Medical Center
eScreening Marketplace Card Image

eScreening

Enhancing quality of care by communicating health needs collaboratively

Created in June 2012 by the Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (San Diego, California)
Improved Safety of Enteral Tube Medication Administration Marketplace Card Image

Improved Safety of Enteral Tube Medication Administration

SafETube: Right med, right dose, right ROUTE

Created in May 2021 by the Kansas City VA Medical Center (Kansas City, Missouri)
Improving Communication in Home Based Primary Care Marketplace Card Image

Improving Communication in Home Based Primary Care

Improving communication within the HBPC team directly impacts the Veterans and caregivers served.

Created in September 2021 by the James H. Quillen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Mountain Home, Tennessee)