The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been recognized as one of the top 10 fastest rising research institutions in North America, according to the esteemed Nature Index. The VA's long-standing history of medical breakthroughs includes the development of the CAT scan, the pacemaker innovation, and the execution of the first-ever liver transplant. In recent years, VA researchers have contributed significantly to critical initiatives such as COVID-19 response, women’s health, telehealth, suicide prevention, the PACT Act, President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, among others.
In addition to this recognition for the institution as a whole, two VA researchers have been named on Time100 Health's list of influential people in healthcare for 2024. Ziyad Al-Aly, M.D., a clinical epidemiologist based in St. Louis was acknowledged for his extensive research on long COVID. His work has played a crucial role in enhancing global understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects which include severe fatigue and brain fog to increased risks of chronic conditions. Cynthia Delgado, M.D., a nephrologist at the San Francisco VA Medical Center was recognized for her contributions towards health equity. This includes her creation of a revised formula that accounts for biological differences impacting wait times for kidney transplant patients.
VA Research is a collaborative endeavor aimed at delivering optimal care to Veterans by partnering with clinicians, academic affiliates, Veteran volunteers and government and non-government entities. The approach taken by VA research is rooted in anticipating Veterans' needs and projecting future trends to continue providing world-class clinical care.
"VA medical breakthroughs over the past century — including pacemakers and liver transplants — are now integral parts of health care for Veterans and all Americans," said Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. "One of the major reasons why VA has proven to be the best health care in America for Veterans is that VA researchers continue to lead the nation in making discoveries that ultimately improve the care we can provide."
This acknowledgment from Nature and Time comes as VA celebrates its annual Research Week from May 13-17 with a series of special events scheduled at facilities nationwide. For more information, visit VA’s Office of Research and Development website.