Dr. Anne Lord Bailey is Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Lab within VHA’s Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (HIL). Dr. Bailey started her health care career as a pharmacy resident and then pharmacy practitioner for Western North Carolina VA Healthcare System (WNCVAHCS) in Asheville, NC, focused on Hepatitis C and innovative care models. In 2017, she began the Innovation Program at WNCVAHCS, and in 2020, she joined the HIL team to lead implementation of emerging technology. In 2021, Dr. Bailey became HIL’s lead for Immersive Technology, establishing VA Immersive as a collaborative program across the office. She has worked with experts and thought leaders in government, academia, and industry, while co-leading the expansion of the VHA XR Network from the founding five facilities to over 160, engaging more than 1,900 VA employees. In 2022, Dr. Bailey was awarded International Virtual Reality in Healthcare Association’s Hero Award for dedication to the growth of immersive technology in healthcare, G2Xchange Change Agent Award, and, alongside the VA Immersive team members, the Service to the Citizen Award. In 2023, she was named a Top 12 Finalist for the Service to America Medal People’s Choice Award.
