Adapting in the Year of a Pandemic: AMTI Town Halls Go Virtual

March 31, 2021  |  Download PDF

In a typical year, Ms. Holly Pavliscsak, the Advanced Medical Technology Initiative (AMTI) Program Manager (PM) visits two to three military treatment facilities (MTF) on-site and in person where AMTI has active projects to check in with Innovators directly. While she is there, she also briefs any interested staff on the AMTI Program. Unfortunately, 2020-2021 has been anything but a typical year and with DoD government travel restricted, she decided to conduct virtual town halls in order to provide an overview of AMTI in the absence of the ability to travel.

Throughout January and February of this year, Ms. Pavliscsak hosted four virtual town halls for clinical staff at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC), Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), and Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC). Participants from each of these sites had to preregister in order to be included in the virtual town halls that were held via Microsoft Teams. Each of these events offered an overview of the AMTI, as well as an opportunity for direct dialogue and open question and answer from participants. The virtual town halls provided a unique opportunity that many times in person gatherings in an auditorium do not, which is the increased availability for participation from busy professionals and clinicians. After registering, participants could work seamlessly from their desk instead of having to leave their work area to come down to a centralized event.

One thing Ms. Pavliscsak did miss was the face-to-face interaction with AMTI Innovators and support staff, which allows her to see firsthand the work that is being completed at each of the sites and determine areas where AMTI can improve on support for these worthwhile projects. She looks forward to a hybrid model in the future when travel can resume and she can continue to conduct town halls while visiting the awarded MTFs and connecting directly with the staff on site.

Below are some screen captures from the events.

If your center or MTF location is interested and would like to setup a virtual town hall to learn more about AMTI, please contact Ms. Pavliscsak at usarmy.detrick.usamrdc.list.aamti-team@mail.mil.