VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Research

About the Program

The Eastern Colorado Healthcare System has a large research and development program. Our program enhances our ability to provide state-of-the-art medical techniques and treatments to our veteran patients. 

Services Offered

• The Schizophrenia Research Center is one of three in the VA system nationwide.Funding for the Schizophrenia Research Center was renewed October 1, 2006 for 4 additional years for a total of $1.3 million.
• The Eastern Colorado Healthcare System was awarded funded for the HSR&D Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP).  Effective October 1, 2006, the Colorado REAP to Improve Care Coordination for Veterans, was funded for $200,000/year for 5 years.
• In 2003, VISN 19 was granted funding for a Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) focusing on suicide and suicidality in veterans.  The VISN 19 MIRECC is one of ten in the country. The Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) were established by Congress with the goal of bringing best practices in mental health care into the clinical settings of the VA.
• Major areas of biomedical laboratory and clinical sciences research include:
  • Oncology
  • Pulmonology
  • Cardiology
  • Substance Abuse
  • Diabetes/Endocrinology

During FY 2006, there were 579 active studies, involving 168 VA and non-VA scientists.  The VA-funded research support totaled $6,202,599. The total research funding for fiscal year 2006 from VA, NIH, other public, and private/industry sources was $18,579,858. 

In July 2004, the facility Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) received full accreditation (3 years) from the National Commission for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and the veterinary care and use program received full accreditation (3 years) from the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) in 2003.