On Aug. 23, Dr. Rory Cooper, founding director and VA senior research career scientist of theHuman Engineering Research Laboratories(a joint partnership between VAPHS, Pitt, and UPMC Health System)received the VA Secretary'sDiversity and Inclusion Excellence Awardfrom Michael Moreland, VISN 4 network director.

According to Georgia Coffey, deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in VA's Central office, Dr. Cooper was selected based on his commitment to mentoring students with disabilities and to enabling VA and the University of Pittsburgh to better support Veterans with disabilities.

Winners of the Diversity and Inclusion award must strive to build a diverse, high-performing workforce that reflects all segments of society; to cultivate a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work environment that leverages diversity and empowers all contributors; and to facilitate outstanding, culturally-competent public service and stakeholder relations through effective leadership and accountability.