MINNEAPOLIS— A new research center has just launched to help improve the lives of our nation’s heroes.
Research Week is an annual opportunity to recognize VA researchers and their contributions to scientific studies and clinical trials. But this year, the Minneapolis VA is also celebrating the grand opening of a new clinical research wing.
“The research initiative we have here is to do everything we can to improve the lives of veterans,” said Dr. Joshua Nixon.
Nixon, deputy chief of staff for research, said the space provides a central location for research consultations with veterans participating in many of the studies conducted at the Minneapolis VA.
“Veterans start out healthier than the average person in the population because of all the training and physical activity, but as a result of their service, they usually end up in worse shape than the average citizen at the end of their lives,” Nixon said.
Nixon says the researchers are looking at things that are important to veterans’ health and figuring out how to make their lives as healthy as possible.
“We have both preclinical studies that look at models of different diseases and clinical studies that put these models into practice,” Nixon said.
The center has 150 researchers conducting more than 500 research projects.
Veterans and the entire community benefit from the long-standing relationship between the Minneapolis VA and the University of Minnesota – the longest-standing academic partnership between a VA and a university in the nation.
“They help diagnose and fix the problem, I think that’s great,” said Joyce Loch.
Loch was recognized for 50 years of service in research at the Minneapolis VA.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes. When I first started doing research, there wasn’t as much clinical research being done as there is now, so having the new clinical research department is extremely good. They’re doing good work here,” Loch said.
She is excited that the groundbreaking work will continue at this new facility to improve the quality of life for all Americans.
Almost all employees or researchers have a dual appointment. That means VA clinicians are also University of Minnesota professors and researchers.
