Seattle Summer Research Program in Geriatrics and Disparities

We are applying to renew the “Seattle Summer Research Program in Geriatrics and Disparities” at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle, WA. The VAPSHCS ranks 4th in research funding among VAs and is home to one of the largest Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Centers (GRECC) in the VA system. Our program focuses on translational research in age-related diseases including cancer and cachexia, sarcopenia and frailty, and cognition in neurodegenerative diseases. Through the GRECC’s continued mission to bridge geriatric research, education, and clinical care, we successfully leveraged the pilot VA ORD Summer Research Program to establish the only VA-centered summer research program at the VAPSHCS. We successfully met or exceeded participant enrollment goals and our self-guided approach for training modules was well-received. Program alumni completed health science baccalaureate degrees, entered clinical internships, co-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts, and presented research findings at regional conferences. The purpose of this program is to ensure the VA remains a global leader in scientific discovery by enhancing the scientific workforce through providing mentored research experiences and related educational opportunities to the next generation of healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. We have assembled successful, dedicated faculty, with extensive mentoring histories to trainees from nationally underrepresented groups at all academic levels, to effectively carry out the program objectives with a central focus on reducing disparities in the VA scientific workforce, health science research, and healthcare delivery. With this renewal proposal, we remain enthusiastically committed to promoting retention of well-trained healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds who will be competitive for research and career opportunities in mission areas important to the VA. This will lead to engagement with broader perspectives and encourage innovation and excellence in research and patient care.