VA CSR&D Research Awards
PECASE, established in 1996 to "recognize and nurture some of the finest scientist and engineers" is given annually to researchers early in their research careers. The PECASE is the "highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists."
PECASE Awardees from BLR&D and CSR&D
2009
Kibbe, Melina R. – Chicago, IL
2007
Humphrey, Mary Beth – Oklahoma City, OK
2006
Johnson, Sterling C. – Madison, WI
2005
Gooch, Jennifer L. - Decatur, GA
Study: Mechanisms of IGF-I-Medicated Calcineurin Signaling
2004
Grady, William - Seattle, WA
2002
Lin, Richard Z. - Northport, NY
Study: Molecular Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance
The John Blair Barnwell Award (Barnwell Award) for outstanding achievement in clinical science is the Clinical Science Research and Development's (CSR&D) highest honor for scientific achievement. The award aims to recognize senior VHA investigators who have achieved international acclaim for clinical research accomplishments in areas of prime importance to VA’s research mission and who have also demonstrated a high level of clinical commitment to the patient population.
The Barnwell Award is given for outstanding scientific achievements in clinical research that advance the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders in the veteran population. Although the award may occasionally recognize a single exceptionally-influential contribution, it is generally expected that recipients will have made notable sustained contributions that lead to better evaluation and/or treatment of conditions that are particularly important to veterans’ health care. Clinical research to be recognized by the Barnwell Award needs to reflect efforts leading to clinical implementation of new diagnostic or treatment strategies. Such research could include prospective interventional clinical trials (drug or device) that provide definitive evidence on a
treatment, development of radiological methods, electrophysiological diagnostics, development and clinical validation of laboratory tests, application of innovative methodological design, or analytical strategies and similar activities.
For more details see VHA NOTICE 2008-10: John Blair Barnwell Award (43 KB, PDF).
Awardee(s)
2009 - William C. Cushman, M.D. and William C. Duckworth, M.D.
The 2009 John Blair Barnwell Award was awarded to two candidates: William C. Cushman, M.D., from the Memphis VAMC, and William C. Duckworth, M.D., from the Phoenix VA Health Care System.
William C. Cushman, M.D., of the Memphis VAMC was awarded the John Blair Barnwell Award, 2009, for his contributions and leadership in the field of hypertension research and his clinical trials evaluating approaches to treatment of hypertension. Dr. Cushman has devoted many years of successful studies promoting evidenced-based clinical guidelines of a thiazide diuretic in the management and treatment of hypertension. Dr. Cushman's research interests are primarily in drug treatment and lifestyle changes in the prevention and management of hypertension and lipid abnormalities, prevention of cardiovascular outcomes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology. His research has proven that, chlorthalidone, a diuretic, remains the best and inexpensive part of the antihypertensive regimen. Dr. Cushman's work is of high scientific impact in areas that are relevant to Veterans and patients worldwide.
William C. Duckworth, M.D., of the Phoenix VA Health Care System was awarded the John Blair Barnwell Award, 2009, for his notable contributions to translational and clinical research related to diabetes. The results of the VA Diabetes Trial (VADT), that Dr. Duckworth co-chaired, impacted approaches to the care of diabetes and its major complications, including cardiovascular disease, not only in Veterans, but throughout the world. The trial showed that a more intensive therapy of glycemia in diabetics with macrovascular complications had no added benefit over standard or less intensive therapy. Dr. Duckworth also co-chairs a VA trial on diabetic nephropathy and an observational study on the diabetes outcomes in the VA. Diabetes is a highly prevalent condition in Veterans and the works of Dr. Duckworth continue to have a broad impact on the clinical care of Veterans and the population at large.
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