About VA Puget Sound Research
OVERVIEW
The VA’s R&D Program “plays a key role in advancing the health and care of Veterans and is uniquely positioned to lead a national transformation of American health care” [2013 Congressional budget submission].
The Research & Development Program at VA Puget Sound Health Care System supports the VA’s mission by conducting a broad-based research program of scientific investigation relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting Veterans. The program consists of intra- and extramurally funded biomedical, rehabilitation, health services and clinical research projects, reviewed and approved by the Research and Development Committee and its subcommittees, and performed at both the Seattle and American Lake Divisions. The program is grant-based, with approximately 50% of the program funded by the VA R&D appropriation, and 50% funded from non-VA sources including NIH and DOD, academic institutions, volunteer health organizations, and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. Management of funding includes the VA R&D Office, the Seattle Institute for Biomedical & Clinical Research (a VA-authorized 501c3 non profit corporation) and the University of Washington.
The R&D Service Line is directed by an Associate Chief of Staff for R&D, with an Administrative Officer for the service line and an administrative group that includes a Human Resources Protection Program division, a Projects division, and an Operations division, each with dedicated staff and specific functions. Three R&D Centers (Health Services R&D, Rehabilitation R&D and Epidemiology) have directors and administrative officers overseeing research programs in those areas of focus; other programs (Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Research) fall under direct supervision of the R&D Administrative Officer.
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
Research & Deveopment provides services that include program review, compliance and reporting; pre-awards and post-award administration; intellectual property management; R&D human resources, credentialing and training management; R&D facility safety and security; R&D records and capital asset management; facilities management of dedicated R&D space; and management of scientific and clinical research core units.
R&D OPERATIONS ARE CONDUCTED AT:
• American Lake Division: Clinical Research
• Seattle Division: Administrative Operations, Clinical and Laboratory (basic science) research.
• The Oxbow Building at Federal Center South: Health Services and Epidemiology research.
STAFFING
Approximately 200 VA employees and 300 WOC staff are directly employed by the R&D program, which includes clinicians, basic and allied health scientists, fellows, laboratory technicians, clinical project coordinators, administrators and support staff including specialists in various sciences and administrative areas such as compliance and laboratory safety.
For an organizational chart of key R&D staff, please see Who’s Who.
