Veterans Care Today: Luke Simianer Of Clusiv On How The US Has Improved Its Care For Veterans Over The Past Five Years
An Interview With Eric Pines
Comparison is the thief of momentum and joy. You will often see people that you perceive to be doing better than you in seemingly less time. You should do nothing but celebrate this; never be envious. Most often, our perceptions are skewed. Similarly, when you’ve achieved a substantial milestone, don’t act higher than those you’re outperforming. This leads to complacency and a toxic mindset.
The daily headlines remind us of how countries around the world care or do not care for their military service members. How does the United States hold up with regard to how it cares for its veterans? We know in the past questions have been raised about the VA system, but it seems that a corner has been turned and veterans’ care has improved. How exactly has the VA system been improved? How does the US care for veterans compared to other comparable countries? What exciting new technological or methodological innovations are being used to improve veterans’ health outcomes? To address these questions, we are talking to successful physicians, healthcare workers, veterans, or other VA employees and officials who can share stories and insights from their experience about the state of veterans’ care today and how the US has improved its care for veterans over the last five years.
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure to interview Luke Simianer, CEO and Founder of Clusiv.
Lukas Simianer is the CEO and Founder of Clusiv.io, the company removing the barriers between the modern workforce and the blind and low vision communities of the world. Luke overcame being wounded in Afghanistan, abject poverty after he left service, and severe dyslexia as he went on to become a software engineer and eventually found Clusiv.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into our interview, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory and a bit about what brought you to this specific career path?
I joined the army at 17, straight out of high school, and I was deployed to Afghanistan by the age of 19. I was wounded in combat, discharged honorably, and returned to the United States shortly after. I went to college, received my bachelor’s degree in nursing, and worked in the medical field, but did not feel the industry suited my lifestyle. So, back at square one again, I decided to work in software engineering and found I had quite a passion for the trade.
The first company I worked for faced various legal issues due to their inaccessible online rating application for blind or visually impaired individuals. I watched as they poured tons of money into legal fees and consulting firms, as well as extensive time lost trying to unveil a solution. As I experienced the ordeal and tuned into my strategic military thinking, I suggested contracting my blind stepfather to assist as we vet the technology together and implement a fix in the code. We identified the issue, squared away the lawsuit, and I found my next mission in life — to remove the barriers between the modern workforce and the blind and visually impaired population. Clusiv was born, and that’s exactly what we’re doing; bringing equality and fairness to an otherwise overlooked demographic here in the US.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Like any startup, Clusiv needed funding to scale appropriately and aid blind and visually impaired communities. On a whim, I entered Bob Evans Farms (BEF) Heroes to CEOs (H2C) grant program which awards veteran entrepreneurs a grand prize of $50,000 and quarterly mentoring. After submitting my business proposal and presenting my company to a panel of executives, I was named a winner of H2C in September 2021. I had the pleasure of meeting veterans from all walks of life, doing great things for their country and communities, so I was pleasantly surprised when Clusiv was chosen to receive the $50,000 grant. The funding led to substantial business growth, and we’re immensely grateful to BEF for the opportunity.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“It’s a game of signals.” Clusiv’s co-founder said this to me once, and I never forgot it. When I was launching my business, meeting with various investors and business executives, he told me moving a business forward is a game of signals. I took this statement and thought about how I could create the signals I wanted people to see. So, I decided to increase my education and read as much as possible. I knew I needed to be well-read and well-versed to communicate complex ideas better, especially surrounding Clusiv’s value proposition. I also applied for as many pitch competitions as possible and won ten, including Bob Evans Farms’ Heroes to CEOs.
Due to winning these esteemed competitions, I was admitted into the Techstars apprenticeship, and I found that people had no problems betting on the jockey. Although you’re selling your business, you’re really selling yourself. I knew if I could present myself as an intelligent, passionate entrepreneur, I could make it.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Currently, Clusiv is working on expanding within the education vertical, focusing on K-12. We’re taking our technology that has actively been utilized in state agencies to help blind and visually impaired students. It will ensure teachers and educators can deliver the curriculum equitably.
How would you define an “excellent healthcare provider”?
First and foremost, the HunterSeven foundation has done wonders for vets within the healthcare space. What they are currently doing to promote the importance of research and awareness on military-related exposures is single-handedly aiding the veteran communities throughout the US that come back from deployment and aren’t even aware they could be at risk. Veterans are not what’s visible on their medical records. The “healthy” 23-year-old has been overseas shooting rounds with depleted uranium in an in-closed space. They’ve been around an array of environmental toxins, most of which go unnoticed. I myself came home and wanted to get screened for cancer and any other sickness brought on by the many harmful exposures I encountered during my service.
Screenings for preventative care are crucial for vets. I would define an excellent healthcare provider as an entity that knows the risks and does everything it can to provide care before a diagnosis turns deadly.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. Based on your experience can you please share three recent improvements to veterans care that you are really pleased about?
- Firstly, very happy to see that within recent years, vets can now go to any provider with their VA card and obtain significant quality of healthcare. Although factors at play (especially regarding location) can still hinder the type of care and quality of care, in general, healthcare options and quality have significantly increased.
- Another thing I’ve noticed is an increase in businesses hiring more veterans, as well as military spouses. Organizations such as Warrior Rising and of course, Bob Evans Farms, are working to provide entrepreneurial support to veterans in helping them scale their businesses and passions.
- Lastly, as a veteran, I’m very pleased with an increased move in making VA health services online. The stress of needing to go to a hospital for care can be detrimental to a veterans’ mental state, so having the means to obtain services digitally is a tremendous step forward for those ending their deployment.
In contrast, can you highlight three areas of veterans care that still need improvement? What would you suggest needs to be done to address those challenges?
- Mental health resources will always need improvement when it comes to veteran care. Resources have grown, and the perception of PTSD has become more accepting, but vets need more accessibility, especially those who are reacclimating themselves back into civilian life.
- Another area of improvement is accessing vets from the start before returning home. Vets don’t just get the call to finish their deployment and jump on a plane. There are months of preparation and paperwork, sometimes apprenticeships and other factors that are considered before even getting a flight booked. The first couple of months back home is when veterans need the most help. Organizations can begin setting up job interviews, mental health counseling, and assistance with budgeting and financing before they’re back on US soil, which would alleviate a tremendous amount of stress for service men and women. Many times, they land home and don’t know where to begin when it comes to employment, healthcare, and even reintegrating themselves back into social settings. Having plans and tools put in place before heading back to the US is instrumental in saving lives and paving the way for a successful future.
- Funded community led focus groups would be immensely effective for veterans. Currently there are volunteer and invite only groups that are doing great work, but they’re difficult to maintain and to find. Funding community groups for veterans would be a huge step in helping them build and maintain positive circles and societies.
From your perspective how does the US care for veterans compared to other comparable countries?
Compared to other countries, the US offers more for veterans; they lead the way. It’s incomparable, which is disheartening. Despite your origins, every veteran is risking their lives for their country and should be taken care of when their service is complete.
What exciting new technological or methodological innovations are being used to improve veterans’ health outcomes?
Currently I’ve been impressed with how the VA has increased patient access from a digital standpoint. As stated thoroughly, anything businesses or organizations can do to make the lives of veterans easier is a win in my book. Even something as insignificant as having an online portal for healthcare goes a tremendously long way for vets.
This is our signature question that we ask in many of our interviews. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started My Career”?
- Everything you do is a trade. If you want to build a multi-million-dollar company, you likely won’t have time to coach your kid’s baseball team. Spending your prime years partying and drinking with friends will likely not be your reality if you want to start and run a successful business. Friends will be hard to come by. However scary as it may seem, it’s a temporary tradeoff to fulfill your passion in life. Once you build your livelihood, the rest of your life will fall into place, but it can be lonely initially.
- Everything you do is a choice, and that’s okay! As I said, you may spend the better part of your twenties working on your business and spending any free time educating yourself on how else you can grow your brand. Choosing this life is tough, but it’s your choice, and while it may be your prime focus for a while, you won’t have to choose it forever. Eventually, you can make space for relationships, friendships, and hobbies.
- Expect finances to be challenging at first. This is relatively obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t realize how much money you lose in the first few years. Finances will be tight, save your money now and learn to budget efficiently to prepare ahead of time.
- Comparison is the thief of momentum and joy. You will often see people that you perceive to be doing better than you in seemingly less time. You should do nothing but celebrate this; never be envious. Most often, our perceptions are skewed. Similarly, when you’ve achieved a substantial milestone, don’t act higher than those you’re outperforming. This leads to complacency and a toxic mindset.
- Help others when you’re stuck. I’ve found consistently that when I’ve hit a mental roadblock or growing pains that volunteering has done wonders for my mental clarity. Whether volunteering at an animal shelter walking dogs, providing food for Meals on Wheels, or coaching a community sports team, putting others first can give perspective on a business or personal challenge. So, next time you feel stuck, look around for where you can help.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Inclusion. It’s the foundation in which I started my company, and am passionate about bringing fairness and inclusion to the modern workforce. Real conversation needs to start happening to open communication channels and give blind and visually impaired individuals a voice. We’ve had a staggering amount of innovation through the years. If we can focus on amplifying the voices of not only the blind and visually impaired but of all disabilities, the world will become a much more diverse, interesting, and capable place.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook!
https://www.instagram.com/clusiv.io/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/clusiv/
https://www.facebook.com/clusivinc
Thank you so much for these insights! This was very inspirational and we wish you continued success in your great work.
About the Interviewer: Eric L. Pines is a nationally recognized federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach. He represents federal employees and acts as in-house counsel for over fifty thousand federal employees through his work as a federal employee labor union representative. A formal federal employee himself, Mr. Pines began his federal employment law career as in-house counsel for AFGE Local 1923 which is in Social Security Administration’s headquarters and is the largest federal union local in the world. He presently serves as AFGE 1923’s Chief Counsel as well as in-house counsel for all FEMA bargaining unit employees and numerous Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs unions.
While he and his firm specialize in representing federal employees from all federal agencies and in reference to virtually all federal employee matters, his firm has placed special attention on representing Veteran Affairs doctors and nurses hired under the authority of Title. He and his firm have a particular passion in representing disabled federal employees with their requests for medical and religious reasonable accommodations when those accommodations are warranted under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (ADA). He also represents them with their requests for Federal Employee Disability Retirement (OPM) when an accommodation would not be possible.
Mr. Pines has also served as a mediator for numerous federal agencies including serving a year as the Library of Congress’ in-house EEO Mediator. He has also served as an expert witness in federal court for federal employee matters. He has also worked as an EEO technical writer drafting hundreds of Final Agency Decisions for the federal sector.
Mr. Pines’ firm is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. His first passion is his wife and five children. He plays classical and rock guitar and enjoys playing ice hockey, running, and biking. Please visit his websites at www.pinesfederal.com and www.toughinjurylawyers.com. He can also be reached at eric@pinesfederal.com.
Veterans Care Today: Luke Simianer Of Clusiv On How The US Has Improved Its Care For Veterans Over… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.