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August 5, 2007

VA center joins research set

The service, in its infancy, could raise level of care in the region by attracting doctors, scientists.

A new research and development service at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township offers the potential to improve medical care for both veterans and non-veterans.

The service aims to allow veterans to take part in research studies conducted by organizations like the National Institutes of Health.

Previously, patients who qualified to participate in medical research – predominantly those suffering from cancer – were forced to travel to facilities in Philadelphia or Manhattan. Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Mirza Ali, explained that because of their conditions, most patients didn’t want to travel, or after making the trip, found the travel too “burdensome.”

“Once we have the full program, we will be the closest,” for veterans in the local hospital’s service area and for those from around it who previously lacked access to research services.

Ali said the research service, which is in its infancy, could eventually raise the level of care in the region by attracting doctors, scientists, and organizations interested in conducting research.

Officials from the VA hospital have begun to discuss the possibility of research affiliations with the Geisinger Health System and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital that could qualify non-veterans for participation.

“There has been cooperation,” Ali said, and he projects the proposed medical school of Northeastern Pennsylvania could benefit from the service by providing students the chance to conduct research locally.

Currently, the Wilkes-Barre VA hospital conducts minimum-risk research in hepatitis C and blood coagulation disorders. Patients can participate but the research can only operate within the confines of approved and authorized medicines. One day, Ali intends to participate in research using new prescription drugs under development.

The Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center covers 19 counties in Pennsylvania, one in New York, and serves a veteran population of 201,221.

The new research service was announced Tuesday by local and central office VA officials, including Jay Freedman, special assistant to the chief, Research & Development.

Emily Alinikoff, a Times Leader intern, may be reached at 829-7242.






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