One of the major components of the Department of Veterans Affairs mission is research. The VA Western New York Healthcare System (VA WNYHS) has a well-funded research and development program encompassing a wide spectrum of clinical studies as well as important basic research, all of which enhances our ability to provide effective, state-of-the-art health care interventions to preserve the health and functional abilities of our veteran patients. The opportunity to conduct approved research also assists in recruiting and retaining an expert clinical staff. The VA WNYHS maintains a vigorous commitment to our research mission as demonstrated through a strong affiliation with the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. This relationship provides numerous opportunities to engage in a variety of collaborative research activities with University Departments.
Major areas of research include:
Oncology
Molecular Medicine
Endocrinology
Pulmonary Disease
Orthopedics
Hypertension
Clinical Pharmacology
Geriatric Psychology
Alzheimer's Disease
Cardiology
Surgery
Infectious Diseases including HIV
Studies involving Positron Emission Tomography
In Fiscal Year 2006, there were 76 active Research Principal Investigators conducting 153 approved research projects at the Medical Center
Combined research expenditures for Fiscal Year 2006 from VA, NIH and industry sources totaled 4.4 million. The VA WNYHS has a well-established history in conducting medical research. The implantable cardiac pacemaker was first developed at the Buffalo VA Medical Center starting in 1958 through a collaborative research effort involving Drs. William Chardack, Andrew Gage and engineer Wilson Greatbatch. Today, the VA WNYHS is nationally recognized for research work in the areas of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Much of the research conducted at the VA WNYHS is housed in a 40,000 square feet research building. The facility provides a variety of common-core equipment and services.
The Buffalo Institute for Medical Research, Inc. (BIMR) is a not-for-profit research corporation that was established to facilitate the conduct of approved medical research at the VA WNYHS. Support of these activities is facilitated through the receipt and distribution of research funds originating from non-Department of Veterans Affairs sources. BIMR administers all phases of research and related educational activities supported by its holdings.
This web site is intended for VA Research staff. Veterans can find VA health care information at the VISN 2 website.
VA requires annual training for all researchers and their staff (VA paid and Without Compensation –WOC) involved in VA approved research. This includes research in science-bench work, humans, animals and any combination of the above.
The following courses must be completed and documentation must be provided to the research office with the submission of a protocol and then annually. Most courses can be completed using a VA or Non-VA computer.
The first three programs may be completed from VA Learning Online (VALO).
VA Cyber Security Awareness,
VA Privacy Training,
VA 64879 Information Security 201 for Research and Development Personnel,
Access to VALO from Intranet (VA Computer) type this address in Internet Explorer: vaww.sites.lrn.va.gov/vacatalog/valoredirect.asp
4. VA Ethics Training can only be viewed on a VA Computer through VAKN Content Distribution Network (CDN) at: vaww.vakncdn.lrn.va.gov/Default.asp.
Search for the Video in the content library with key work “Ethics”
Official title is “Ethics Most Wanted”
Print “my viewing history” and then send to the research office. Employees without VA computer access will need to come to the research office and watch the video.
Keep a copy for your records of all certificates, send one to the VA Research Office- Mail Code #151 or fax to 716-862-6526 and provide copies to your Investigator.
Additional trainings as set by your responsibilities on the research protocol may still be required.
* Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web sites. The link will open in a new window.
** Links will take you to another government agency outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site (VA). The link will open in a new window.
