betty and guy beatty center for integrated - Inova Health System

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
INOVA HEALTH SYSTEM
In 2009, research remained an important priority at Inova Health System. Several new initiatives,
undertaken throughout the year, strengthened our research infrastructure at the Betty and Guy Beatty
Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System. Researchers investigating cancer, liver disease,
obesity, advanced lung disease, atrial fibrillation and neurosciences continued to show tremendous
academic productivity as a result of the progression of each research team, their collaborative efforts,
and the institutional support provided to the teams.
Additionally, Inova's investigators and leadership demonstrated increased interest in translational
research and personalized medicine. These efforts are being undertaken through collaborations with
partners such as George Mason University, Ignite Institute, and other biopharmaceutical companies.
Initiatives of this kind promote our research goals for developing cutting-edge, investigator-initiated
research protocols, a research biorepository, and the implementation of personalized medicine
protocols. These combined efforts are focused on our vision of becoming one of the best healthcare
systems in the world.
Finally, over the past year, Inova has implemented several mechanisms that directly support and
encourage research throughout the system. For example, in addition to supporting the office of
research and each of our research teams, Inova provided research funding to encourage innovative
and patient-centered research projects. Inova's faculty grants, research seed grants, and summer
student grants have been excellent venues for providing start up funds for promising faculty and
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collaborations among investigators from the two institutions. These research funds have engendered enthusiasm for original and productive
research among our faculty and students.
Finally, to further strengthen our research infrastructure, Inova has elicited recommendations from Deloitte consulting. Their input will help
optimize the research infrastructure within our research hub as well as our strategically-focused research programs. By coupling these
research efforts with Inova's plans for developing robust electronic health records, information technology and informatics infrastructure our
investigators will have an excellent opportunity to carry out projects involving health services research and translational research concerning
several important chronic diseases. I am confident that each year we will grow closer to the full realization of a solid research infrastructure
and our vision of becoming one of the best health care systems in the world.
Zobair M. Younossi, MD, MPH, FACP, FACG, AGAF
Executive Director of Research, Inova Health System
Professor of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Inova Campus
Affiliate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, George Mason University
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