VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Celebrates National VA Research Week 2026, Honors Pioneering Researchers
核心洞察
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (搜索) hosted its National VA Research Week 2026 event on May 13 at the West LA VA Medical Center, gathering over 130 researchers, staff, and Veterans.
Dr. Michael Ong received the Inaugural National VA Office of Research and Development Field Research Leadership Excellence Award, presented by Chief of Staff Dr. Steven Simon.
Dr. Michael Hsu was recognized for high-impact publications in JAMA on the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids, while Dr. Scott Krahl received a Service Award for three decades of dedication.
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (搜索) (VAGLAHS) marked National VA Research Week 2026 with a Medical Research Plenary Session and Open House Event on May 13 at the West LA VA Medical Center, drawing more than 130 researchers, staff, and Veterans. This year's theme highlighted how the next century of discovery will strengthen VA's ability to deliver advanced, evidence-based healthcare to Veterans, building on the milestone of 100 years of VA Research celebrated the previous year.
Timothy Graham, Interim Medical Center Director, opened the event with remarks emphasizing VAGLAHS's commitment to research that directly improves the lives of Veterans. Dr. Amy Kilbourne, visiting guest speaker from the Office of Research and Development (ORD) at VA Central Office, reinforced the importance of continuous learning and discovery, noting that such efforts help Veterans receive the highest quality of care they have earned and deserve.
Leadership and Research Excellence Recognized
A highlight of the award ceremony came when Dr. Steven Simon, Chief of Staff at VAGLAHS, presented Dr. Michael Ong, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, with the Inaugural National VA Office of Research and Development Field Research Leadership Excellence Award. The recognition drew a standing ovation from the audience, underscoring Dr. Ong's contributions to the VA research enterprise.
Ten Research Service Awards were also presented during the ceremony. Dr. David Beenhouwer and Dr. Elizabeth Yano were recognized for outstanding grantsmanship and research funding, while Dr. Alison Hamilton, Dr. Matthew Rettig, and Dr. Anne Walling received honors for scholarship and productivity.
Cannabis Research and Decades of Service
Dr. Michael Hsu was recognized for high-impact publications in the Journal of the American Medical Association on the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids, reflecting VA's engagement with emerging and sometimes controversial areas of therapeutic investigation.
Dr. Scott Krahl received a Service Award honoring decades of dedication to VA Research & Development. Over his 30-year tenure at VAGLAHS, Dr. Krahl served in roles ranging from Principal Investigator to Interim and Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Research before retiring.
Research staff members Ms. Deborah Delevan, Ms. Linda Ngueyn, and Ms. Linda Caffey were also recognized for their efforts in improving administrative management systems that make cutting-edge research possible.
Veteran-Focused Research Programs
Veterans attending the event received information from four research programs that rely on Veteran voices and participation to drive breakthroughs. The Greater Los Angeles Research and Education Foundation (搜索) (GLAVREF) builds partnerships that strengthen scientific discovery and education. The Million Veteran Program (搜索) (MVP), a national research initiative, examines how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in Veterans. The Cooperative Studies Program operates a Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES) for national clinical trials. The Veteran Engagement Team (VET) ensures Veterans guide research from start to finish, making studies more relevant and more likely to improve real-world care.
Together, these programs demonstrate how VA research extends beyond laboratories, directly shaping the treatments, technologies, and healthcare solutions that Veterans rely on every day.