The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical system is frequently thought of when it relates to veteran care. What many people don’t realize is that VA researchers are a national asset and conduct biomedical, rehabilitation, clinical and health services research at more than 100 medical centers nationwide.
To highlight the impact VA research has on the nation’s health care, the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System’s Omaha Medical Center will host Research Day on Friday. The day is part of National VA Research Week, which runs May 11-17.
Omaha VA Medical Center staff and scientists are also faculty at the UNMC and Creighton Medical Center. Debra Romberger, M.D., who is vice chairwoman of research in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, also serves as associate chief of staff for research and development at the Omaha division of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. This week, Dr. Romberger will discuss research activity at the Omaha VA Medical Center with representatives from veterans groups and congressional staffers.
There will be several opportunities on Friday for people to learn more about the VA’s research programs including:
- 8:30 a.m., Research seminar by Dr. Grace Su, a nationally recognized expert on liver injury and immune response;
- 9:30 a.m., Presentation of “Friends of Omaha VA” award; and
- 10 a.m., Tours of the Omaha VA Research Service.
Researchers study a wide array of health issues with a special focus on clinical problems prevalent within the veteran community. Current research includes weight-loss strategies, cancer treatments, genetic risks for lung disease, and therapies for mental health disorders including depression and substance abuse. Research is funded by grants by the national VA research program, the National Institutes for Health, foundations and industry.
VA investigators nationwide have played key roles in developing devices and techniques that revolutionized health care including the cardiac pacemaker, the CAT scan, and liver and kidney transplants. Today, the VA is a leader in many areas of research including AIDS, mental health, genomics, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and spinal cord injury.