Paralyzed Veterans of America Convenes Healthcare Summit in Las Vegas

The summit features 110 speakers and 60 exhibitors, highlighting a collaborative effort to integrate emerging research into daily clinical practice. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is among the featured speakers addressing the attendees. Robert Thomas, national president of the organization, emphasized that the goal is to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and the practical realities of rehabilitation, ensuring veterans maintain independence after returning home.

Since its founding in 1946, the organization has maintained a unique position as the only nonprofit with access to all 25 VA spinal cord injury centers. This proximity allows the group to identify critical gaps in the system and direct resources toward clinical education and advocacy. Lindsay Perlman, director of the PVA's Research and Education Department, noted that the summit provides a necessary space for healthcare providers to step away from routine demands and exchange strategies that keep pace with rapid medical advancements.

The event concludes on September 2 with the presentation of the Clinical Excellence Awards. This year’s recipients include Marinella Galea, MD, of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center; Nicholas Wendel, PT, DPT, NCS, of the VA Boston Health Care System; Beth Whittington, MD, of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center; Ginger Willoughby, RN, BSN, MSN, CCM, of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center; Felicia Skelton, MD, MS, of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center; and Liam Kiernan, PT, DPT, NCS, OCS, of the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center.