Andrea M. Kean is a transformational healthcare leader with over two decades of clinical and executive experience, currently serving as the Chief for Strategic Initiatives at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS). With a deep commitment to high-reliability principles and patient-centered care, Andrea has been instrumental in advancing a culture of safety across a complex healthcare system serving more than 88,000 Veterans.
A certified healthcare quality professional and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Andrea has led numerous initiatives that have measurably improved clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and staff engagement. Under her leadership, CVHCS implemented a monthly all-employee safety forum and redesigned executive leadership huddles to prioritize safety and psychological safety—efforts that contributed to a 38% increase in safety event reporting. As executive sponsor for High Reliability Organization (HRO) initiatives, she has championed transparency, continuous learning, and frontline empowerment. A graduate of the VHA Health Care Leadership Development Program and a Prosci-certified change management practitioner, Andrea blends clinical insight with business acumen to foster environments where safety, innovation, and excellence thrive.