# Presentation: 544006

## Patricia A. Dorn, PhD

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**Patricia A. Dorn, PhD**
**   ****Acting Deputy Director**
**   ****Rehabilitation  Research & Development Program**
**VHA Department of Veterans Affairs**
**May 4, 2006**

## VA Research Services in Office of Research & Development

- Biomedical Laboratory Research & Development (BLR&D)
- Clinical Sciences Research & Development (CSR&D
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D)
- Rehabilitation Research & Development (RR&D)

##   History of VA Research Career Development Program

- Medical Research Service (Biomedical & Clinical):                                           1956 Clinical Investigator Program
- Address national shortage of clinical researchers
- Create elite leadership corps in VA
- Initial group special training basic studies in problems of aging
- 1961 - 1975 Research Associate Program
- Bridge to  Clinical Investigator  Program
- Junior level training in areas with shortage of researchers
- 1976 Associate Investigator Program
- Firmly establish entry-level track

##   Previous & Current VA Research Career Development Program

- Program Evolved to 5 Award Types: “Previous Program”
- Associate Investigator (AI)
- Research Career Development (RCD)
- Advanced Research Career Development (ARCD)
- Merit Review Entry Program (MREP)
- Career Development Enhancement Award (CDEA)
- HSR&D incorporated Career program in 1990
- RR&D incorporated Career program in 1997

##   Previous & Current VA Research Career Development Program

- Current Program as of April 2006
- Career Development Award Level 1 (CDA1)
- Career Development Award Level 2 (CDA2)
- Career Development Transition Award (CDTA)
- Career Development Enhancement Award (CDEA)

## Accomplishments of Career Development Awardees

- VA Central Office Research Service Director
- VA Associate Chief of Staff for Research
- VA Research Center of Excellence Directors &
-     Associate Directors
- VA Research Enhancement Award Program Directors
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
- William A. Nelson Award for Excellence in Health Care Ethics

## Accomplishments of Career Development Awardees

- James J. Peters Scholarship Award from United Spinal Association (Veteran Service Organization)
- Erskine Scholar
- American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Awards:
- Young Investigators &Excellence in Scientific Research
- Independent Investigators
- Lead Principal Investigators in Clinical Trials

##         Examples of Age-Related Career Development Training Areas

- STROKE
- CARDIAC
- PULMONARY
- PARKINSON’S DISEASE
- PROSTATE CANCER

##         Examples of Age-Related Career Development Training Areas

- HEARING
- BALANCE & FALLS
- MENTAL HEALTH
- CARE  DELIVERY SETTINGS
- END-of-LIFE CARE

## VA Career Development Program Statistics

- FY 2001-2005 Statistics Service-wide for
-     Career Program (AI, RCD, ARCD, MREP, CDEA)
- 1242 Applicants
- 484 Award Recipients
- 39%  Awarded
- Percent of  Service’s Budget for Career Program FY2001-2005
- 11% (BLR&D/CSR&D), 24% (HSR&D), 12% (RR&D)

## VA Career Development Program Statistics

- Number of Awardees Trained in the Career Development Program
- BLR&D / CSR&D (Medical)
-     Over 1000 in 50 years of career program
- HSRD: approximately 200
- RR&D: approximately 100

## VA Career Development Program Statistics

- Percent of Awardees Becoming VA Principal Investigators
- BLR&D / CSR&D: ~ 65%
- HSR&D: ~ 30%
- RR&D: ~ 20%
- Many awardees matriculating through Career Development training  levels
- Many awardees are co-investigators on VA research projects
- In general, the Career Program is currently at stasis

## Overview of New VA Career Development Program

- Harmonized program service-wide
- Scope of program & opportunities remain broad
- Each service maintains own review boards
- Applicant selects research service appropriate for their research area
- Applicant need not currently be with VA to apply
- Applicants must be US Citizens

## Overview of New VA Career Development Program

- Career Development Award Level 1 (CDA1)
- Entry level clinicians & non-clinicians
- Review criteria emphasize: candidate’s qualifications, mentorship, career development plan
- Provides salary support
- 2 year award

## Overview of New VA Career Development Program

- Career Development Award Level 2 (CDA2)
- Mid-level clinicians & non-clinicians
- Review criteria as listed for CDA1
- PLUS emphasis on research project
- Provides salary support
- Can request research support from $10,000 – $50,000
- Request 3-5 year award

## Overview of New VA Career Development Program

- Career Development Transition Award (CDTA)
- For clinicians only
- Provides salary support
- Must submit merit review proposal
- Up to 3 year award
- Career Development Enhancement Award (CDEA)
- For Senior VA Scientists
- Open to clinicians & non-clinicians

## VA Career Development ProgramImportant Deadlines

- For All Services
- Letter-of-Intent / Full Application
-                        April 15 / June 15
-                   October 15 / December 15

## Go to our website

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_**Go to our website**_
**http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/CDP.cfm**
_**Read more about**_**  **
**Current Career Development Program **
**Contacts for each Research Service **
_**Talk to**_
**Your VA Research Office**
**Your VA Colleagues & Mentors**
**Central Office Career Program Staff**
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## LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD RESEARCHERS

**LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD RESEARCHERS**