Standing Ready

Cardiology Innovations

VA’s first cardiology lab was established at the Washington DC hospital in 1935. Since then, VA has been a leader in developing groundbreaking surgical techniques, conducting hypertension studies, and home to pioneering cardiologist, Dr. Michael DeBakey. Katie and Shawn end season 2 with a look at cardiology’s past and future at VA in conversation with Dr. Josef Stehlik, Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is Co-Chief of the Advanced Heart Failure section and Medical Director of the Heart Transplant Program at the University of Utah Health Center and the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center.

Oncology Part 2

Part two of our look at cancer research at VA includes a conversation with Dr. Khalil Ahmend, Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Ahmed has been a Senior Research Career Scientist, Minneapolis VA since 1978. For over forty years, Dr. Ahmed’s long-standing interest has been in protein CK2 (formerly casein kinase 2 or II). He investigation of its therapeutic targeting for cancer therapy and how treatments might be effective for stopping progression to resistant growth or improving response setting the stage for potential ground-breaking translation into the clinic.

Precision Oncology

VA’s first tumor laboratory was established at the Hines VA Hospital. Since then, VA has gone on to become a lead in cancer care, establishing studies, linking cigarette smoking with cancer, and creating breakthroughs for veterans and the world. Katie and Shawn sit in a two-part conversation with two of VA’s most respected leaders and researchers: Dr. Michael Kelly, professor of Medicine at Duke University and Chief Oncology at the Durham VA Medical Center.  As National Program Director for Oncology for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Kelley directs policy and program development that affect the more than 50,000 Veterans diagnosed with cancer each year.

Academic Affiliations

VA hospitals and the nation’s top medical schools have been linked together since 1946 and since then VA health has benefited immensely from the research and teaching talents of these hospitals while also training 70 percent of the nation’s medical workforce. In this episode, Katie and Shawn delve again into this program’s fascinating past while looking to the future of medical training. 

Genomics & the Million Veterans Project

Katie and Shawn are pleased to welcome Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar the Executive Director of the Million Veteran Program (MVP). Over ten years old now, MVP is truly history in the making. MVP is a national research program to learn how genes, lifestyle, and military exposures affect health and illness. Since launching in 2011, over 870,000 Veteran partners have joined one of the world's largest programs on genetics and health. Dr. Muralidhar oversees the policy and infrastructure development for the collection and use of samples and genetic, clinical, lifestyle and military exposure data from one million Veterans.