SUMMIT 2026

Andrew Kovich, MS

Senior Analyst, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory • Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel

With experience spanning the U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, U.S. Strategic Command, and Johns Hopkins APL, Andrew Kovich brings a rare practitioner’s perspective on mission-focused research. His session will examine UARCs, defense-connected research partnerships, and why military and veteran voices matter in shaping research that is both strategically relevant and operationally informed.

Jason Souza, MD

Director of the Limb Restoration Program & OSU Military Medicine Program, Ohio State University Medical Center • Plastic Surgeon • Veteran, U.S. Navy Commander

Dr. Souza is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of commander in the Medical Corps while serving as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During his military service, Dr. Souza served as director of the Peripheral Nerve Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He has performed over 1,000 extremity reconstructive procedures, including over 200 advanced wounded warrior reconstructions. He now serves as director of Ohio State’s Orthoplastic Reconstruction and Advanced Amputation Program, as well as the Military Medicine Program. Dr. Souza’s presentation will focus on the critical need of military and veteran focused agendas in cancer and trauma research and care.

Tracy Yu-Ping Wang, MD, MHS, MSc

Chief, Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Dr. Tracy-YuPing Wang serves as Chief of Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, where she provides strategic leadership for research comparing health care interventions and emerging innovations. A cardiologist and clinical researcer, she has extensive expertise in observational research, implementation science, pragmatic clinical trials, health care quality, and patient-centered outcomes research. 

Before joining PCORI, Dr. Wang was a professor of medicine at Duke University and led major studies through the Duke Clinical Research Institute. She has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications and has helped advance methods for representative patient recruitment, patient-reported outcomes, and pragmatic research. Her session will provide a national perspective on patient-centered research, funding, implementation, and partnerships needed to translate evidence into meaningful improvements in military- and Veteran-connected health care.

Shane Preston

Great Lakes Region Liaison for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War • U.S. Marine Corps Combat Veteran

As Great Lakes Region Liaison for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Military Community and Family Policy, Shane Preston brings direct experience connecting state policymakers, military leadership, the pentagon, and additional federal defense stakeholders on defense priorities and military related issues across Ohio and the broader region. A Marine combat veteran with experience in both military service and state government, he offers an important policy and partnership perspective for SUMMIT 2026. His session will help attendees better understand how stronger coordination across institutions can support DoW priorities, improve support for military-connected communities, and advance more effective collaboration

Kyle McDaniels

Senior Health System Specialist, VA Central Ohio Health Care System • U.S. Army Veteran

Kyle McDaniels is a Veteran of the U.S. Army – Ohio Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of Sergeant while operating and managing an air defense command system responsible for tracking aircraft and missile threats, and maintaining communications networks connecting air defense units.

With nearly 20 years of healthcare experience, he currently serves as the Senior Health System Specialist at the VA Central Ohio Health Care System. In this role, he analyzes and enhances healthcare delivery systems and operations, proactively manages critical assignments for optimal outcomes, and collaborates with executive leaders to develop and implement strategic plans. He also leads policy and process evaluations, conducts comprehensive data analyses to identify and resolve operational inefficiencies, and provides high-level strategic insights and recommendations to senior executives and agency officials.

Kyle is a participant in the national 2026 VA Health Care Leadership Development Program and a graduate of the 2015 Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 10 Leadership Development Institute. He lives outside of Thornville, Ohio, on a small farm with his wife of 20 years and their three children.