HSR&D Deputy Director Named

Effective August 2009, VA's Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) welcomed Andrew Guccione PT, PhD, DPT, FAPTA, as its Deputy Director. In his role as Deputy Director, Dr. Guccione will direct his efforts to ensuring the integrity of the scientific merit review process; developing partnerships to advance HSR&D's strategic plan; and fostering collaborations across health services, clinical science, and rehabilitation research to enhance the quality of health care for Veterans. Dr. Guccione is no stranger to HSR&D, having served for a year and a half as the Scientific Program Manager for HSR&D's Mobility, Activity, and Function and Quality Measurement Development portfolios before accepting the Deputy Director appointment.

Prior to joining HSR&D, Dr. Guccione served for ten years as Senior Vice President for the Division of Practice and Research at the American Physical Therapy Association. He also spent six years at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was Director of Physical Therapy Services for three years, and Director of Quality Assurance, Research, and Education for three years. "I look forward to assisting VA HSR&D investigators in the field through streamlined processes and enhanced communications so we can more efficiently review and fund health services research to improve the quality and cost of health care for Veterans," Dr. Guccione told FORUM.