Mental Health and Simulation Experts Represent OVAHCS at MIT Catalyst Fellowship
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) is celebrating two of its exceptional employees, Jeremy Goldberg and Dr. Michelle Petrovic, who have been selected as fellows in the prestigious MIT Catalyst Fellowship.
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) is celebrating two of its exceptional employees, Jeremy Goldberg and Dr. Michelle Petrovic, who have been selected as fellows in the prestigious MIT Catalyst Fellowship. This collaborative program, a partnership between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Innovation Ecosystem, focuses on developing innovative solutions to unmet medical needs.
Goldberg, a mental health clinical social worker, and Dr. Petrovic, director of medical simulation and an attending anesthesiologist, will join a multidisciplinary cohort to address critical healthcare challenges.
Having served as the Mental Health Social Work Section Manager since 2015, Goldberg brings over 15 years of clinical experience to the fellowship. His leadership at the Orlando VA has fostered a culture of autonomy, affirmation, and values-based care within mental health programs.
“As both a social worker and mental health professional, I’m excited to contribute my insights to projects that could positively impact Veterans nationwide,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg explains, “Most fellows come from medicine or engineering backgrounds, so I hope to bring a unique perspective to our work.”
Dr. Petrovic, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, has an impressive background that includes leading patient safety initiatives at Johns Hopkins and mentoring fellows through the VHA National Center for Patient Safety. She views the fellowship as an opportunity to amplify Veterans’ voices and drive transformative solutions through collaboration with academia and the private sector.
“Through this fellowship, I aim to address critical challenges such as predictive physiologic detection of early-stage opioid overdose,” Dr. Petrovic stated.
“Additionally, I will focus on precision medicine related to traumatic brain injury and sleep disturbances,” Dr. Petrovic added. “Both projects leverage AI digital biomarkers and cross-sector collaboration to create impactful change.”
The MIT Catalyst Fellowship includes multiple phases. In Phase 1, which lasts six months (January to June), fellows identify unmet medical needs, develop innovative solutions, and refine ideas through research proposals. This phase involves immersive clinical experiences, stakeholder interviews, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
“I’ve already completed Phase 1 and am proud to have been selected for Phase 2,” Dr. Petrovic stated.
“Phase 2 is not guaranteed; it involves rigorous screening by MIT faculty to determine which projects advance. It typically spans several years and focuses on executing and commercializing transformative healthcare innovations,” Dr. Petrovic added.
Goldberg is preparing to enter Phase 1, bringing a fresh perspective to the fellowship.
“This is an incredible opportunity to develop ideas that could significantly benefit Veterans and enhance the cohort’s work,” Goldberg said.
Dr. Petrovic has already made significant progress as a Phase 2 fellow, championing groundbreaking projects in opioid overdose prevention and traumatic brain injury research. She also serves as a subject matter expert for the VHA Pathfinder Program, reviewing innovation proposals to ensure alignment with Veterans’ needs.
“The fellowship is a testament to the incredible talent at the Orlando VA,” said Timothy J. Cooke, Orlando VA Healthcare System Director. “Jeremy and Dr. Petrovic embody our commitment to innovation and excellence in care for Veterans.”
The partnership between the VHA Innovation Ecosystem and MIT Catalyst underscores the power of collaboration in driving advancements in healthcare. The work of these fellows promises to create lasting change for Veterans and the broader healthcare community.
For more information on the Catalyst Fellowship at MIT linQ and its impact on health care, visit the Catalyst website.
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About the Orlando VA Healthcare System: Established in 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System is one of the leading healthcare systems serving more than 142,000 Veterans in the VA Sunshine Health Care Network offering healthcare services at 11 locations serving east central Florida. Recently recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the healthcare system received 5 out of 5 stars in overall hospital quality. The healthcare system has also been given 5-star recognition for patient experience by Becker’s Hospital Review and was awarded the 2024 Patient Safety Program of Excellence designation from the Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Patient Safety.
To learn more about the facilities and services offered by the OVAHCS, please visit: VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs, subscribe to receive email updates by clicking here, like us on Facebook at: Orlando VA Healthcare System | Facebook, follow us on Instagram at: Orlando VA Healthcare System (@ovahcs) • Instagram photos and videos or on Twitter at: @OVAHCS / Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
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