Fostering collaborations to address VHA's most pressing health care challenges
Our Mission
The New England Center for Innovation Excellence (NECIE), part of the Veterans Integrated Healthcare System New England (VISN 1) and strategically aligned with VHA Innovation Ecosystem, collaborates with industry, academia, and government to advance health care for Veterans.
Testing and implementing cutting edge technologies to address chronic and complex injuries are a primary focus for NECIE, as are enhancing rural access to quality care and developing tailored health solutions for aging Veterans. Through these innovative efforts, NECIE aims to optimize health care processes, improve outcomes, and enhance experience for Veterans across the VA health care system.
Collaboration and Project Spotlights
Director, VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence (NECIE)
Leandro DaSilva
Leandro DaSilva joined VA New England Healthcare System in 2011. Mr. DaSilva served in the U.S. Navy from 1999 to 2006, onboard the USS Kitty-Hawk (CV-63) home based in Yokosuka, Japan and at the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Facility (NPMOF) in Whidbey Island, WA, where he earned his BS in Business Administration with a major in International Business and an MBA with an emphasis in Global Management. After Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy, Leandro worked at UnitedHealth Technologies as a program manager for mergers and acquisitions and integrated technologies solutions. He joined VA in 2011 as a member of VISN 1 Network Office, as a project manager for VISN 1 Quality Manager Office, and in November 2017 became a member of VISN 1 Clinical Informatics team. In 2020 Mr. DaSilva helped launch VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence (NECIE) as part of VHA Innovation Ecosystem.
Innovation Project Manager
Genesis De La Cruz, MPA, MLS (ASCP)
Genesis De La Cruz joined VA New England Healthcare System in 2008 as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the Providence VA Medical Center. In 2015, she transitioned her role to Quality Management, serving in several roles such as QM Data Analyst, QM Program Manager, and Systems Redesign Coordinator. Ms. De La Cruz holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Medical Technology and a Master of Public Administration from Kaplan University. She joined the NECIE team in 2024 as a member of VISN 1 Network Office, serving as an innovation project manager for VISN 1 Quality Management Office.
Innovation Project Manager
Kindred Kern
Kindred Kern joined VA New England Healthcare System in 2016 as a Technical Career Field Engineering Intern for VISN 1 Health Technology Management Department, and in 2018 became a Staff Biomedical Engineer at the Manchester VAMC Health Technology Management Department. Ms. Kern holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering with an emphasis in Biomechanics from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While at Marquette, Ms. Kern had a variety of experiences, such as interning with the FDA in Silver Spring, MD, and Winchester, MA, and researching telepresence robotics with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Wanting to rekindle her passion for innovative technology, in 2022 Ms. Kern joined VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence (NECIE) as an Innovation Project Manager.
Join Us in Transforming Veteran Health Care
We're committed to addressing VHA's most pressing health care challenges through innovation and collaboration. Connect with us to share your ideas, ask questions, and explore opportunities to work together. Let's shape the future of health care for Veterans.
