Suggestions
Lauren Alexanderson
Deputy Chief Technology Officer - Health Delivery at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Lauren Alexanderson is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Health Delivery at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this role, she leads efforts to enhance the health experience for veterans, caregivers, and clinicians by applying human-centered design principles and modern digital solutions. Her work focuses on improving user interactions with VA services, particularly through the development of platforms that integrate clinical decision support into electronic health records (EHRs) .12
Background and Experience
Lauren has a robust background in healthcare experience design, having worked in various capacities since 2008. Before joining the VA in September 2017 through the United States Digital Service, she led public health initiatives both nationally and internationally and collaborated with health-focused nonprofit organizations. Her educational credentials include an MBA and an MA in Health Communication from Johns Hopkins University, as well as a BA from Brown University .13
Contributions at the VA
Since her appointment as Deputy CTO in July 2021, Lauren has been instrumental in establishing the VA's human-centered design operations and leading agile product teams. She emphasizes direct engagement with veterans and healthcare workers to better understand their needs and improve digital tools accordingly. This approach aims to streamline access to healthcare services and enhance overall patient outcomes .45
Recognition
Lauren's contributions have not gone unnoticed; she received the Service to America Medal in 2018 for her work on improving digital tools for veterans. Additionally, she was recognized as a G2X Change Agent in 2020 for her impactful leadership within federal technology .34
Vision for Healthcare
Lauren advocates for integrating technology into healthcare to create seamless experiences for users. She believes that by embedding clinical decision support within EHR workflows, healthcare providers can significantly improve patient care. Her vision includes making healthcare more accessible and efficient for veterans, ultimately enhancing their quality of life .25

