VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Research and Development

About the Program

Research and Development plays a vital role in the Department of Veterans Affairs mission, and nowhere is this more evident than in the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The R&D program is a reflection of VA Puget Sound’s commitment to providing the highest quality care to its Veterans. It is an integral part of the affiliation with the University of Washington, bringing that institution's premier academic medicine program to VA Puget Sound and ensuring that the professional staff and quality of care is of the highest caliber. The cohesiveness and strength of this research community is felt throughout the Northwest.

World-Class Research

There are over 600 active research projects. This strong, diversified base of support has ensured a robust, productive program, making VA Puget Sound a superior facility in the region. Principal Investigators represent virtually every major clinical department, including:

• Anesthesiology
• Audiology/Speech
• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Gerontology
• Hematology
• Metabolism
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Nursing
• Oncology
• Orthopaedics
• Pathology/Lab Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Pulmonary Care
• Radiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Surgery
• Urology

VA Centers of Excellence and special emphasis programs

• Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
• Northwest Center for Outcomes Research in Older Adults (HSR&D)
• Northwest Hepatitis C Field Based Resource Center
• Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
• Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence
• Center of Excellence for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetics Engineering (RR&D)
• Epidemiologic Research & Information Center (ERIC)
• Center of Excellence for Substance Abuse Treatment & Education (CESATE)
• Alzheimer's Research Center
• Diabetes/Endocrinology Research Center

The effects of a strong R&D program go well beyond recruitment of high quality clinical staff. Patients at this institution have access to the latest pharmaceutical therapies and diagnostic techniques; the quality of "routine" care is enriched by the personal commitment of staff to increase their professional capabilities and to actively contribute to the advancement of their fields.