Suzy Shirley

About Suzy Shirley

Mission-driven leader with passion and expertise in healthcare innovation, public private partnership, advocacy, and R&D that improves health outcomes and lowers costs. Chief Innovation Officer, Health Tech Advisor, and Faculty at MIT.Previously served as Vice President with Ipsos North America, leading the $60M/year Health Research portfolio with responsibility for strategic growth, project delivery, and business development leveraging market and social research to advance North American and global public health initiatives. Served on Capitol Hill during the 118th Congress, as a policy advisor for the House Veterans Affairs Committee, advising on Veteran and caregiver health, Veteran entrepreneurship, and emerging health technology. Advised in the development of the INNOVATE Act (H.R. 10536) and ARCA-Act of 2025 (S. 1591) to authorize VA with acquisition flexibilities (OTA and Advanced Market Commitment) that would advance healthcare research and innovation. Served 15 years with the Veterans Health Administration as a mental health clinician, healthcare administrator, national program director, and strategic advisor. During appointment as Director for Strategic Partnerships with the Office of Healthcare, Innovation & Learning (OHIL), I led interagency research efforts and industry collaborations that brought emerging technology and innovative care models into VA, improving clinical outcomes, access to care, and lowering cost. Project examples: 1) Initiative to End Diabetic Limb Loss, testing and scaling remote monitoring solutions for diabetic Veterans at risk of amputation, saving VA $100M per year and resulting in a near-elimination of diabetic amputation among Veterans enrolled in the program. 2) Multi-state co-employer home-care pilot in VA, offering non-clinical care to Veterans at home and ensuring Veteran choice in hiring and scheduling. This pilot increased utilization of homecare and respite services by 30% and increased aide wages by 50%, while lowering the overall cost of home care and respite services for the VA. 3) Served as Strategic Advisor to the national Psychedelic Therapy Integrated Project Team, advising on interagency research and implementation pilots to test these emerging therapeutics in mental health care.Honored to receive federal service awards: 2022 AMSUS Leadership, 2022 Women in Leadership IMPACT, 2021 Service to the Citizen, 2021 Theodore Roosevelt Government Leadership, and 2020 Arthur S. Flemming Award.

Experience

1. Chief Innovation Officer

   Principle Choice Solutions, LLC

   Mar 2026 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Principle Choice Solutions (PCS) has built a strong foundation as a trusted operational partner supporting federal healthcare programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Health Agency. Through capabilities including claims processing, referral management, customer service operations, and home healthcare services, PCS is home to a national medical support and clinical infrastructure with a commitment to improving the lives of veterans, service members, and their families through high quality customer service.As Chief Innovation Officer, I lead strategic partnerships and design, test and scale emerging technologies, novel care models, and optimized business solutions to bring greater efficiency and access to public and private healthcare systems.

Education

• Montana State University-Bozeman

  BS, Psychology

  2001 — 2005

• Virginia Commonwealth University

  MSW, Social Work

  2007 — 2010