About the Program
The VAMC Memphis has a large, well-funded research and development program including studies in —
- biomedical research
- health services
- clinical and cooperative studies
- rehabilitation
The Memphis VA Medical Center was the first VA research program to receive full accreditation status from the National Commission for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its Human Subjects Protection Program on its initial review.
Investigators at VAMC Memphis are currently recipients of two NIH Specialized Centers of Research Grants: one in arthritis and one in scleroderma. Additionally, there is a VA Research Enhancement Award Program in autoimmune diseases.
Notable Achievements
Among the more notable recent achievements are those of Dr. James B. Dale, who is known internationally for his research to develop a vaccine for group A streptococcus, which is presently in the initial stages of clinical trials.
VAMC Memphis also served as the lead site for the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), a multi-center study that provided important new information regarding the optimal therapy for hypertension. This trial, under the direction of Dr. William Cushman, discovered that the use of traditional diuretics, a relatively inexpensive treatment, was at least as efficacious as much more costly, newer regimens in the treatment of high blood pressure and prevention of some forms of heart disease.
Memphis VA Investigator, Dr. Andrew H. Kang received the 2003 William S. Middleton Award, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ highest honor in biomedical research, for his work on immune mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Services Offered
Our current research studies enhance the medical center's ability to provide state-of-the-art medical techniques and treatments to veterans.
During the 2004-05 fiscal year, there were 210 active research projects conducted at VAMC Memphis in areas such as —
- infectious disease
- autoimmune disorders
- cardiology
- hypertension
- diabetes
- schizophrenia
- hematology
- surgery
- oncology
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