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TEDx Talk by Stefan Kertesz, M.D., M.Sc., Offers Insight into Making Impact for Those In Need

January 7, 2015

Stefan Kertesz, M.D., M.Sc., a VA HSR&D investigator and primary care physician at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, recently conducted the TEDx talk, "We Don't Need Heroes to Be Helpful." In the talk, Dr. Kertesz draws on his work both within VA and elsewhere to address the idea that what constitutes a "hero" may be undermining society's ability to make a real impact for those most in need. Dr. Kertesz also offers practical insights for how ordinary people can effect positive change and make a difference in the world.

Dr. Kertesz' clinical, research, and community advocacy work focuses on efforts to improve care for individuals who are homeless, disadvantaged, or who have addictions. He has received HSR&D funding for a number of studies that address those interests, including a study assessing VA's implementation of the "housing first" model, developed to help place Veterans in permanent housing through rental vouchers, and another study that assessed homeless Veterans' experiences with VA primary care, specifically primary care tailored to the homeless compared to that in less-tailored settings.

TEDx talks are a community-based offshoot of the TED conferences–a global set of conferences originally emphasizing technology and design, but that now include medical, scientific, cultural, and academic topics. TEDx talks are designed to give communities, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.


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