Research at VAMC

Research Activities

The VAMC Pulmonary Section has a very active research program funded through extramural grants. The research program largely focuses on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a goal of identifying effective therapies for patients suffering from this disease. As such, a large percent of the research effort is directed at implementing clinical trials of new therapies for patients with COPD (Drs. Niewoehner, Rice and Kunisaki). Dr. Wendt also conducts bench and translational research projects related to COPD. Other COPD-related projects include genetic epidemiology of COPD, case management of COPD, and HIV-associated COPD. Active collaborations exist with HealthPartners (Dr. McEvoy) and Mayo Clinic. Additional areas of investigation include lung cancer, pulmonary nodules, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The efforts of our two full-time, experienced clinical research coordinators (Doris Stuber and Angela Fabbrini) aid in achieving the research mission of the section. Their work is helped by an IRB-approved COPD patient database and by the well-developed electronic medical record system of the VA.

The section also regularly collaborates with other research entities at the VAMC, including the VA Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, the VA Center for Epidemiological and Clinical Research, clinical investigators from other sections, and basic science labs at the VAMC.