The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is touting its efforts in modernizing health care this week, as part of National Research Week. Will Ackerman is spokesman for the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Ackerman says, "We are educating people about the role that the Department of Veterans Affairs plays in revolutionizing health care."
Ackerman says V-A research investigators nationwide have played key roles in developing devices and techniques that have significantly improved health care. He says: "The V-A has been instrumental in research development in things such as the cardiac pacemaker, the CAT scan and liver and kidney transplants. In fact, in the Omaha V-A research service, we’re currently involved in clinical research for issues dealing with the veteran community in the areas such as weight loss strategy, cancer treatments, genetic risk of lung disease and mental health disorders including depression."
Ackerman says the V-A facilities in Iowa, Nebraska and across the nation are being recognized this week for their efforts. He says: "V-A research is a national asset that benefits veteran patients and the entire nation by moving medical science forward.
A lot of people don’t realize the role the V-A has in that. The V-A conducts bio-medical, rehabilitation clinical and health services research as well as large multi-center clinical trials at more than 100 medical centers across the country." The V-A is also a leader in the research of AIDS, infectious diseases and spinal cord injury.