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WILKES-BARRE VA OPENS NEW RESEARCH SERVICE --
Could eventually raise the level of care in the
region
by attracting doctors, scientists, and
organizations
interested in conducting research.
Wilkes-Barre, PA VA facility
For more on VA research and development (R&D), use the VA Watchdog search
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http://www.research.va.gov/
Story here...
http://www.timesleader.
com/news/20070805_05_va
research_3a_ART.html
Story below:
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VA center joins research set
The service, in its infancy, could raise level
of care in the region by attracting doctors, scientists.
EMILY ALINIKOFF
editintern@timesleader.com
A new research and development service at the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township offers the potential
to improve medical care for both veterans and non-veterans.
The service aims to allow veterans to take part in research studies
conducted by organizations like the National Institutes of Health.
Previously, patients who qualified to participate in medical research –
predominantly those suffering from cancer – were forced to travel to
facilities in Philadelphia or Manhattan. Acting Chief of Staff, Dr.
Mirza Ali, explained that because of their conditions, most patients
didn’t want to travel, or after making the trip, found the travel too
“burdensome.”
“Once we have the full program, we will be the closest,” for veterans in
the local hospital’s service area and for those from around it who
previously lacked access to research services.
Ali said the research service, which is in its infancy, could eventually
raise the level of care in the region by attracting doctors, scientists,
and organizations interested in conducting research.
Officials from the VA hospital have begun to discuss the possibility of
research affiliations with the Geisinger Health System and Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital that could qualify non-veterans for participation.
“There has been cooperation,” Ali said, and he projects the proposed
medical school of Northeastern Pennsylvania could benefit from the
service by providing students the chance to conduct research locally.
Currently, the Wilkes-Barre VA hospital conducts minimum-risk research
in hepatitis C and blood coagulation disorders. Patients can participate
but the research can only operate within the confines of approved and
authorized medicines. One day, Ali intends to participate in research
using new prescription drugs under development.
The Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center covers 19 counties in
Pennsylvania, one in New York, and serves a veteran population of
201,221.
The new research service was announced Tuesday by local and central
office VA officials, including Jay Freedman, special assistant to the
chief, Research & Development.
Emily Alinikoff, a Times Leader intern, may be reached at 829-7242.
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Larry Scott --
