The Office of Special Counsel has persuaded the Veterans Affairs Department to settle with three whistleblowers from the Phoenix medical center. One is Paula Pedene, a former chief spokeswoman at the center. She blew the whistle about financial mismanagement by former leadership. Pedene is now a national program specialist in the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Communications. She joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive to discuss what it's like to become a whistleblower and what got her through the ordeal.
David Vollman, staff ophthalmologist at the Veterans Health Administration in St. Louis, Mo., is a finalist for the 2013 Call to Service Medal.
The mobile revolution isn't new to many agencies. Laptops and BlackBerrys have been standard issue for many government executives for the last decade. What is different, however, is the widespread use of smartphones and tablet computers. Both agencies and citizens hold new and more immediate expectations because of these devices, and the government must adapt to this technololgy. In our special report, Gov 3.0: It's Mobile, Federal News Radio explores how some agencies are meeting the demand internally and externally for mobile devices and apps. The challenge, like any new technology, is ensuring these devices actually help meet mission goals and don't become just another shiny toy.
The Veterans Affairs Department's mobile projects have centered on improving internal business processes and changing how the agency interacts with the public. The department's "Clinic-in-Hand" program, which will launch early next year, will deploy iPads to family caregivers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. And increasingly VA doctors and nurses are eschewing the clipboards and prescription pads in favor of mobile options.
Kathleen Frisbee talks about mobile efforts at the Veterans Health Administration. Richard Buangan of the State Department talks about an agency Twitter account that tweets off-message. Ticora Jones discusses new development labs built with seed money from USAID.