VA research celebrated at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center, MCW

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) will partner to recognize National VA Research Week from May 19-23, 2014. The purpose of VA Research Week is to recognize veterans for their participation in research studies and to highlight the discoveries and innovations that have resulted from the collaboration between VA Medical Centers and medical schools.

More than 115 MCW faculty members, dozens of medical residents, post-doctoral fellows and staff work at the VA Medical Center in West Milwaukee. Research performed at the VA includes work in post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, pulmonary disease, spinal cord injury, motor vehicle injury, and many other diseases and injuries that impact not just our nation’s armed forces and veterans, but all citizens.

“Beyond their service in the armed forces, many of our nation’s veterans have extended their service in the area of medical research, and we are profoundly grateful not only for their participation and support, but for the support of the U.S. government in funding research initiatives. The advances and discoveries coming out of our VA medical centers benefit our health and the health of generations to come,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., M.D., the President and CEO of MCW. Dr. Raymond is also a practicing nephrologist at the VA Medical Center, and has been a VA physician for more than three decades.

“We look forward to the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our veterans and scientists to promote better understanding of health challenges specific to this population. Partnership with MCW leverages our efforts, energizes our science, and is vitally important to the success of our endeavors,” said Elizabeth Jacobs, M.D., associate chief of staff for research and development at the Zablocki VA and associate dean for research at MCW. She practices pulmonary and critical care medicine at the VA Medical Center.

To celebrate VA Research Week, posters demonstrating new research will be on display at the VA Medical Center on Monday, May 19, and at MCW on Tuesday, May 20. Additional news stories highlighting research partnerships will be released throughout the week.