+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| # Department of Veterans Affairs  | # VHA HANDBOOK 1204.4             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Veterans Health                 |                                   |
| Administration**                  |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Washington, DC 20420              | (date)                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

**UNDER SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN**

# HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

**1. REASON FOR ISSUE.** This Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Handbook provides procedures related to nomination and selection for the
"Under Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health Services
Research."

**2. SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES.** The certification authority has been
changed.

**3.** **RELATED DIRECTIVES.** VHA Directive 1204.

**4. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE:** The Office of Research and Development,
Health Services Research and Development Service (124) is responsible
for the contents of this VHA Handbook. Questions may be addressed to
202-254-0207.

**5. RESCISSIONS.** VHA Handbook 1204.4 dated April 15, 2002, is
rescinded.

**6. RECERTIFICATION.** This Handbook is scheduled for recertification
on or before the last working date of July 2010.

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
                                  Michael J. Kussman, MD, MACP

                                  Under Secretary for Health
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

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  DISTRIBUTION:   CO:     E-mailed

                  FLD:    VISN, MA, DO, OC, OCRO, and 200 -- E-mailed
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CONTENTS

**UNDER SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN**

# HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

**PARAGRAPH PAGE**

1\. Purpose 1

2\. Background 1

3\. Award Criteria 1

4\. Eligibility 1

5\. Description of
Award..............................................................................\.....
1

6\. Review Committee 2

7\. Responsibilities 2

**UNDER SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN**

# HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

## 1. PURPOSE 

## 

##  This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook describes procedures related to nomination and selection for the "Under Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health Services Research."

**2. BACKGROUND**

The "Under Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health
Services Research" was established in 1998 in recognition of the
importance of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health services
research program and its vital link to the health care of veterans and
the public. VHA annually invites nominations for this award in
recognition of the highest level of achievement in health services
research. A committee convened by the Health Services Research and
Development Service (HSR&D) reviews all nominations and recommends one
VA investigator to the Under Secretary for Health for approval.

**3. AWARD CRITERIA.**

A committee appointed by the Director, HSR&D, reviews the nominations,
based on the following criteria:

a\. The candidate's research has added significantly to the
understanding of factors that affect the health of America's veterans,
or has led to a major improvement in the quality of veterans' health
care.

b\. The candidate has made a substantive contribution to the future of
VA health services research by inspiring a new generation of
investigators and has demonstrated excellence in training and mentorship
of new investigators.

c\. The candidate has enhanced the visibility and reputation of VA
research through national leadership in the research community.

4\. **ELIGIBILITY**

Each nominee must be employed by VA at least 5/8 time. The research
contribution leading to the nomination must have been carried out in VA,
and it must relate clearly to VA's research mission.

**5. DESCRIPTION OF AWARD**

Awardees receive a \$5,000 cash award and an inscribed plaque
commemorating the awardee's achievement. Awardees with a
currently-funded, nationally peer-reviewed research project (VA Merit
Review, or non-VA research support) receive an additional \$50,000 per
year for up to 3 years to support that research. The award is presented
at a national meeting.

**5. REVIEW COMMITTEE**

The Director, HSR&D, appoints the review committee, comprised of
experienced health services researchers with and without VA affiliation.
The committee includes the chairman of HSR&D's Scientific Merit Review
Board, a member of HSR&D's Career Development Review Group, and others
familiar with the health services research, VA priorities, and HSR&D
goals.

### 6. RESPONSIBILITIES 

a\. [**Program Coordinator**.]{.underline} The program coordinator will
announce to the field the opportunity to nominate a candidate for the
Under Secretary's Award and provide guidance for preparing the
nomination application. The program coordinator will convene the review
panel. The program coordinator ensures that all nominations receive both
administrative and scientific review, obtains the appropriate
concurrences and approvals and arranges the presentation of the award.

b\. **[R&D Committee.]{.underline}** The local R&D Committee evaluates
the merits of all candidates proposed by the VA medical center and
recommends one candidate to the VA medical center Director.

c\. **[Director, VA Medical Center.]{.underline}** The medical center
Director recommends the candidate to the Director, HSR&D.

d\. **[Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for R&D.]{.underline}** The ACOS
for R&D ensures that all required documentation accompanies the
nomination letter from the VA medical center Director and that the
complete nomination package is submitted to HSR&D for receipt by the
specified due date.

e\. **[Award Review Committee.]{.underline}** The Review Committee
evaluates all applications and recommends one candidate, based on the
specified review criteria, to the Director, HSR&D. If no candidate meets
the established to this award, no award will be given.

f\. **[Director, HSR&D.]{.underline}** The Director, HSR&D, or designee,
is responsible for:

\(1\) Appointing the Review Committee.

\(2\) Reviewing and forwarding the nominee to the Chief R&D Officer for
approval.

\(3\) Ensuring presentation of the award at an appropriate, national,
and public venue.

h\. **[Chief R&D Officer]{.underline}**. The Chief R&D Officer, or
designee, is responsible for:

\(1\) Approving selection of the nominee and submitting VA Form 4659 to
the Under Secretary for Health for award approval.

\(2\) Notifying, in writing, the nominee's VA medical center Director,
when the nomination is approved.

i\. **[Under Secretary for Health.]{.underline}** The Under Secretary
for Health is responsible for approving the nomination. At the national
ceremony, the Under Secretary for Health, or designee, is responsible
for presenting the award to the honored researcher and to the Director
of the sponsoring VA medical center.

j\. **[Administrative Officer for R&D.]{.underline}** The Administrative
Officer for R&D, at the nominee's VA facility, facilitates payment of:

\(1\) A one-time cash award of \$5,000 to the honoree.

\(2\) \$50,000 per year, for up to 3 years, for research support.