VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System

NWIHCS Research

VA Research

Office of Research Oversight (ORO)
Office of Research & Development (ORD)

About NWIHCS Research

VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System presents a rich environment for the conduct of research. The Omaha VA Medical Center is home to clinical, human and animal research programs conducted through Research Service. It is affiliated with Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has a strong academic mission in addition to its wide range of clinical programs.

Research Service, in conjunction with VA NWIHCS leadership, is committed to fostering a strong research community with the highest levels of ethical standards. Over the past several years, attention has focused on increasing the resources necessary to support the research endeavor, developing a comprehensive Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and requiring ongoing education for all involved in research.

The Omaha VA Medical Center Research Service has been serving Veterans in rural and urban settings for more than 60 years in the following types of research:

• Clinical research
• Behavior and Social Sciences
• Epidemiological
• Repository
• Quality improvement
• Patient Records
• Genetic

Three major focus areas of research at NWIHCS:

• Alcohol and Addictive Disorders
• Obesity and Type II Diabetes Mellitus
• Rheumatology and Immunology

Additional areas of research include work in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Liver Disease, Immunology, Endocrine/Diabetes/Obesity, Pulmonary Airway Inflammation and COPD, Rheumatology Arthritis, Infectious Disease, Orthopedic Rehabilitation, GI Physiology (obesity emphasis), Surgical Wound Healing, Cancer Treatment Trails, Reproductive Endocrinology, Videolaryngoscopy and Virtual Perioperative Care, Vascular Diseases/gait, Dental Prosthetics, Quality of Care and Patient Safety. Conducting research on each of these areas which impact on the health and care of veterans is consistent with the NWIHCS and VA mission.

Approximately 160 studies are being conducted at the Omaha VA Medical Center by about 60 principal investigators and more than 400 research personnel within VA and its academic affiliates. The research done at VA NWIHCS is supported by a variety of funding sources including:

• Department of Veteran Affairs
• VA Merit Review
• VA Cooperative Studies program
• VA Health Services R&D
• VA Rehabilitation R&D
• National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
• National Cancer Institute
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Henry Jackson Foundation
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• National Institute on Mental Health
• Alzheimer`s Association
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Affiliate Universities
• Creighton University Medical Center
• University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Nebraska State Government
• National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease
• American College of Surgeons
• American Heart Association

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About NEBRA

Established on Aug. 29, 1990, the Nebraska Educational Biomedical Research Association (NEBRA) is a nonprofit corporation that was created to advance the research and educational activities of staff at the Omaha Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (OVAMC). NEBRA was established to accept and administrate private and public funds. Contributions may be generated via donations or contracts.

The purpose of NEBRA is to facilitate and support research and education activities at the OVAMC. NEBRA has been incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska and will comply with all local, state and federal laws and with the common ethical principles of academic medicine. Although NEBRA is a private corporation, it is also subject to certain forms of federal oversight (38 U.S.C. 7361, 7362).

Since its incorporation, NEBRA has partnered with the OVAMC to develop a diverse research portfolio dedicated to investigating a variety of ailments afflicting the nation's Veterans. NEBRA plays a crucial role in supporting VA physicians and researchers as they endeavor to understand how, why, and when diseases afflict the human system. NEBRA facilitates collaborative efforts between the OVAMC, academic institutions, government research organizations, and private companies by administering a variety of programs.

The association strives to advance VA research and education and is central to our mission. Through ongoing efforts toward meeting these objectives, the OVAMC and NEBRA are teamed to provide the highest caliber research infrastructure for our researchers. NEBRA works to partner with the private sector to provide faculty, staff, and providers with opportunities to advance their knowledge in their respective fields of healthcare.

In 2002, NEBRA revised its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enable the acceptance of education funds. Through this expanded authority, NEBRA can manage resources to continue education and training so that we may have the most advanced healthcare workforce. Our ultimate goal is to aid in the advancement of research and education at the OVAMC.

NEBRA Forms

Order Request Form

Travel Funds Obligation Form

Travel Reimbursement Form

Check Request Form (printable)

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