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VA Research Resources

VA research is research conducted by VA investigators (serving on VA compensated, WOC, or Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement appointments) while on VA time or on VA property. The research may be funded by VA or by other sponsors, or be unfunded.

OUHSC IRB serves as the IRB of record the VA Health Care System in Oklahoma City (OKCVAHCS) and Eastern Oklahoma (EOVAHCS), located in Muskogee. Proposed VA resesarch requires approval by both the OUHSC IRB and the OKC VA R&D Committee prior to initiating any research activities. The HSC IRBs shall apply the requirements of 38 CFR Parts 16 and 17 as well as all applicable VHA Handbooks, Directives, and Guidance when reviewing and making determinations for research conducted at the VA.

VA Research - Review Workflow

At a minimum, research studies involving human participants require review and approval by both OUHSC IRB and the OKC VA R&D Committee. The main steps for committee reviews are outlined below. 

  1. VA Preliminary Review: VA researchers must first submit to the OKC VA R&DC in IRBNet for preliminary review by the Privacy Officer (PO). 
  2. OUHSC IRB Review:  VA researchers may submit their study to the OUHSC IRB in iRIS upon receipt of completed preliminary review.
    1. Investigators must submit a copy of Form 10-250, signed by the VA PO, to the IRB. The IRB will not accept or process VA studies without Form 10-250. 
  3. VA R&D Review: After IRB approval of VA research is granted, VA researchers must submit necessary materials and evidence of IRB approval to the OKC VA R&D for review and approval. 
    1. VA research may not be initiated without both IRB approval and final R&D Committee approval. 

Accounts for VA Researchers

iRIS: OUHSC IRB utilizes iRIS for the submission and review process. Information for how to establish an OU IT Account and obtain an iRIS account is located on the iRIS page. 

IRBNet: VA R&DC utilizes IRBNet for the submission and review process. VA personnel who need to establish accounts in IRBNet must contact VA Research Admin.
 

VA Consent Form and HIPAA Authorization Form

The VA Consent (10-1086) and VA HIPAA Authorization for Research (10-0493) templates are located in the Researcher Toolkit.

All documents and materials required for VA R&D review are now located in IRBNet. Contact the VA Research Admin for more information.

VA Research Policies

OKC VA HCS Research Contacts

Dr. Robert "Hal" Scofield
Associate Chief of Staff for Research (ACOS)
Robert.Scofield@va.gov | 405.456.3284

Debbie Simmons
Research Administrative Officer (AO)
Debbie.Simmons2@va.gov | 405.456.3105 

Dr. Matlock Jeffries
Chairman, Research & Development Committee (R&DC)
Matlock.Jeffries@va.gov | 405.456.3105 

Rodney Bell
Research Compliance Officer (RCO)
Rodney.Bell@va.gov | 405.456.2919

Cameron Hicks
Privacy Officer (PO)
Cameron.Hicks@va.gov | 405.456.4602 

Marlene Moore
Information System Security Officer (ISSO)
Marlene.Moore@va.gov | 405.456.4673 

VA Research Admin Email

New Employees - VA Research Admin

VA R&DC Manager

VHA Directives & Handbooks

VA Researchers should review and understand the directives linked below to ensure compliance with research and reporting requirements. VA researchers should also review the policies provided above and the OU HRPP VA policy.

Click HERE to visit the library of VHA Publications