innoVAtion
Throughout its history, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) has been at the forefront in creating, developing and discovering new ways to help Veterans in the pursuit of healing and growth. Below are some examples of ways that VA has contributed to better health.
In 1984 the VA developed the nicotine patch to help smokers give up smoking
On October 19th, 1989, the Portland VA Medical Center performed the first successful liver transplant
The VA Pinpointed genes for HIV, diabetes, and obesity susceptibility
The VA Identified schizophrenia gene and developed unique preventive drug
Identified best treatments for numerous health conditions such as colon cancer, psychoses, stable angina, and high blood pressure
VA researchers and colleagues developed the vaccine for shingles
Developed new drugs and treatments for diseases such as AIDS/HIV, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis
Developed nationally recognized clinical guidelines for patients with one or more common diagnoses
Contributed to the advancement of prosthetics for men and women
In 1958 the implantable cardiac pacemaker was invented in Buffalo, NY.
Developed a computer-controlled ventilator system for critically ill patients
Contributed to the development of the CT (Computerized Axial Tomography or CAT scan)
Pioneered VistA (Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture), one of the world’s earliest and largest electronic health record systems
Developed innovative quality improvement programs that led to dramatic drops in hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA Infections, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia and Catheter Line Associated Bacteremia
Established first rehabilitation program for blind persons
Found that colonoscopy is superior to more widely used screening methods for colon cancer
Demonstrated that aspirin reduced rates of deaths and heart attacks for angina patients
Helped develop new medical specialties including geriatrics, spinal cord injury medicine, pain management and addiction psychiatry
See other ways VA has contributed to better health at Research.VA.gov
