Research at the Veterans Research Town Hall
Originally published September 7, 2022.
Register Now!! The ‘Veterans Research Town Hall’ from the VA’s Veterans Community Advisory Board (VCAB) is a hybrid in-person (3rd Floor Multipurpose Room -Crescenz VA Medical Center) and online event presented in collaboration with the Philadelphia Research and Education Foundation (PREF). (Register Now!)
Be a part of this event designed by Veterans for Veterans, September 8th, 2022, 10 a.m. to 12pm, EDT.
The Veterans Research Town Hall is right around the corner! On September 8, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, VA’s Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and its Veterans Community Advisory Board (VCAB), in partnership with the Philadelphia Research and Education Foundation (PREF), will host this years’ Veterans Research Town Hall to provide vital information about Justice-Involved Veterans (JIVs) as well as the importance of VA Research for this community.
VA is a leading biomedical research institution, and it has been the site of many valuable innovations and advancements in US medical care. Also of great importance, VA research has pioneered new forms of treatment for Veteran groups that have been under-served or neglected such as homeless Veterans & justice-involved Veterans.
Veterans make up eight percent of the incarcerated population in the U.S. VA Research into the justice-involved Veteran is spotlighting the need for expanded services for this under-researched and under-represented population. For example, along with the expansion of the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program, it is important to conduct research to determine how the program is working, the best ways to aid justice-involved Veterans, and aspects of the program that need to be adjusted in order to better meet Veteran needs. Research on programs that reduce recidivism and provide mental health services are underway. In other words, research is not just about learning more, but it is a direct pathway for Veterans to receive the services that are most likely to improve their health.
For those attending this year’s Veteran Research Town Hall in person, there will be the opportunity to talk with three researchers or their staff about their ongoing research.
Dr. W. Geoffery Wright, (“A Portable Virtual Reality Headset for Detecting Deficits in Balance, Vestibular, and Oculomotor Function Following TBI, PTSD, and/or Other Disease Injury”) is examining how to help Veterans who have been in combat or injured, and who have balance issues and are more likely to experience falls. This research is working towards developing a medical device that will help to identify problems with balance.
Dr. Michael Miller, (“Diet Study in Veterans High Triglycerides”) is examining ways to improve Veterans’ vascular and gut health through diet. The research is studying diets that are high in triglycerides as an avenue to improved health.
Dr. Katherine Miller, (“Understanding Nightmares Research Study”) is examining Veterans who experience nightmares after a traumatic event. The purpose of the research is to develop better treatment for these Veterans who experience nightmares and often have trouble sleeping.
VCAB, which is co-sponsoring the Veterans Research Town Hall, along with the Philadelphia Research and Education Foundation (PREF), has been providing advice and counsel to researchers for five years helping to improve their studies as well as supporting research that improves fairness and availability. The members of the VCAB also work to point out myths that persist about Veteran research. One myth that is untrue and has created a lot of misunderstanding is that Veterans who participate in research at the VA have their benefits affected. This is not true. Veterans benefits are not affected at all by participating in research. One of the main purposes of the Veterans Research Town Hall is to encourage Veterans to take an active interest in the research that the VA is producing and to participate in research studies as a way to help the VA to provide the best care for all Veterans. VA Research can be a highway to improved care and health.
The Veterans Community Advisory Board, in partnership with PREF and the Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, looks forward to welcoming you to the Veterans Research Town Hall: Justice-Involved Veterans, on September 8, 2022, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. This hybrid event, in person at the Crescenz VA Multipurpose Room—3rd Floor, and online via WebEx, will provide an opportunity for Veterans to ask questions that are important to them and to learn more about the vital research that benefits our Veteran community.
The VCAB is made up of Veterans, like you, working hard to promote holistic Veteran healthcare and services through VA Research.
In-person attendance is limited. If you would like to attend in person, please RSVP by email CHERPVCAB@gmail.com.
