Efforts to improve health care for our veterans are at the heart of VA HSR&D research. Conducting veteran-focused HSR&D research and implementing findings to improve care and clinical practice requires dedication, communication, and in many cases, collaboration with our public- and privatesector colleagues.

Over the past decade, efforts to work in closer collaboration with our partners in the Department of Defense (DoD) have been numerous. But simply maintaining those established endeavors is not sufficient—strengthening our connection with DoD is critical for enhanced research efforts, and ultimately, improved care. That’s why we are pleased to announce the creation of a Collaborative Research Listserv (CRL) to foster the connections among VA and DoD researchers. This exciting endeavor will provide a real-time forum for HSR&D researchers to discuss ideas with their VA and DoD colleagues, obtain collaborative research partners, identify researchers interested in a specific area of study, and share expertise.

I encourage HSR&D researchers to participate in the CRL, to establish new collaborations, and continue building on existing efforts. This valuable tool will offer a convenient method to further integration and synergy across research areas and among peers. For information on how you can join, please email vadodcri@va.gov.

In other news, HSR&Drecently held an Office of Research and Development (ORD) State of the Art Conference (SOTA) on traumatic brain injury (TBI)—a critical area of concern for our OIF/OEF veterans. Important products from the SOTA thus far include the inclusion of SOTA-identified research questions in an upcoming ORD-wide RFA on neurotrauma and the planned publication of commissioned SOTA papers in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development in early spring 2009.

Seth A. Eisen, M.D., M.Sc.
Director, HSR&D

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