|
ORD Community Outreach Program Update
This past summer the Office of Research and Development (ORD)'s Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Speaker's Bureau participated in several VSO national conferences, providing current information on VA research of interest to the veteran community. The VA researchers who participated and their topics of discussion included:
- Dr. Judith Long, Philadelphia VAMC, "Diabetes and You;"
- Dr. Joe Maino, Kansas City VAMC, "When is 20/40 not 20/40?;"
- Dr. Lisa Rubenstein, West LA VAMC, "PTSD and Mental Health in Women Veterans;"
- Dr. Jennifer Straus, Durham VAMC, "PTSD and MST in Women Veterans of the Conflict in Iraq;"
- Dr. Becky Yano, West LA VAMC, "Setting Evidence- Based Priorities to Improve the Health and Health Care of Women Veterans;" and
- Dr. Tara Zaugg, Portland VAMC, "Hearing Loss in Veterans."
In addition, ORD is reaching out to minority and women's groups to encourage their participation in VA research. Thus far this year, ORD staff have participated in several minority veterans' activities to inform and encourage the participation of minority and women veterans in VA research. For example, Dr. Joel Kupersmith, VA's Chief Research and Development Officer, presented an overview of VA research to representatives of five minority veteran organizations: Tuskegee Airmen, Montford Point Marines (first African Americans to join the Marine Corps), the Triple Nickel (first African Americans to join the Army Airborne Corps), the Buffalo Soldiers, and the National Association of Black Veterans.
Dr. Reuben Wright and Ms. Juanita Mullens, both part of the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), participated in the United South and Eastern Tribes Incorporated - a Native American organization that is dedicated to promoting leadership and improving the quality of life for Native Americans. Additionally, they participated in training provided by the Society for American Indian Government Employees. Dr. Wright and Mr. Alejandro Ramos, also part of the CMV, participated in training provided by the American GI Forum, the largest Hispanic Veteran organization in the United States.
ORD also collaborates with the Center for Women Veterans. This past summer, and for the second year in a row, Dr Elizabeth Yano and the Director of VA's Center for Women Veterans were on a panel to discuss women veterans' health issues and research on women veterans at the Disabled American Veterans Conference in New Orleans.
If you have questions about the ORD Community Outreach Program, or you want to share your community outreach activities, please contact Dr. Reuben L Wright, ORD Community Outreach Coordinator via e-mail at reuben.wright@va.gov.
|
