Nominate an innovator for the
Garry J. Augustine VSO Collaboration Award
Let’s work together to recognize critical collaborations.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized?
Established in 2024, the Garry J. Augustine VSO Collaboration Award (also known as the Garry Augustine Award) recognizes VA employees and their VSO partners for innovative collaborations that have improved—or are likely to improve—the care, services, or experiences of Veterans, caregivers, and their families.
Garry Augustine Award FAQ
The nominee(s) must be VHA employees, either clinical or non-clinical, who have partnered with a VSO to deliver innovation that improves the care, services, or experiences of Veterans, caregivers, and families.
VHA Employees can nominate someone on the submission page. The nomination should include the following information:
- VHA Team and VSO Team involved
- Name of the project/innovation
- Description of collaboration
- Impact/expected impact to Veteran/caregiver care
- At least one, up to three, letter(s) of support outlining the nominee impact to Veteran and caregiver care. It is recommended that at least one letter come from an involved team employee/supervisor or from a VAMC, VISN, or VHA Program Office Director.
Submit the final nomination package through the VA-side form.
Yes. The Garry J. Augustine Award is focused on the crucial collaborations between VSOs and VHA innovations. Teams working on or promoting innovations, but not collaborating with VSOs, may be eligible to apply for the Bob Jesse Award for Excellence in Innovation.
Yes. If your project meets the qualifications for both awards, you may apply for both.
Award recipients, their leadership, VSO collaborators, and nominators will be notified in September 2025.
Any collaboration, whether in a clinical setting or not, that seeks to improve the care, services, or experiences of Veterans, caregivers, and families, and includes a collaboration with a VSO partner, can be nominated by a VHA employee.
