** WASHINGTON, DC ONSITE MEDIA OPPORTUNITY ** Thursday, April 22, 2010 -- 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET

** WASHINGTON, DC ONSITE MEDIA OPPORTUNITY ** Thursday, April 22, 2010 -- 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS KICKS OFF RESEARCH WEEK 2010 ON APRIL 22nd

ABC Correspondent and Author Lee Woodruff, County Singer and Veteran Stephen Cochran, VA Researchers and Special Guests Converge for 2010 VA Research Forum

Event in Washington DC

VA Research Forum 2010 will kick-off National VA Research Week which runs April 26 through April 30, 2010. VA Research has improved Veterans' lives and advanced the practice of medicine for the past 8-1/2 decades. From effective therapies for tuberculosis, to implantable cardiac pacemakers, to the first successful liver transplants, the development of the nicotine patch, advances in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and neurological degeneration, innovations in prosthetics, and women's health, VA's legacy of trailblazing accomplishments is a source of great pride. The VA Office of Research and Development and research offices at VA medical centers across the Nation observe Research Week each year to recognize Veterans for their participation in VA research studies and to give VA investigators and administrators the opportunity to present the discoveries and innovations that are improving Veterans' lives.

A highlight of this year's VA Research Forum event is the debut of a music video for the song "Hope," written and recorded by popular country musician Stephen Cochran especially for VA Research. The video features Cochran, his band, the New Country Outlaws, and Veteran choir and communicates VA Research's message of hope through health investigation. Cochran himself was severely injured while he bravely served this country as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan and credits the VA for his recovery -- he is an inspiring partner for VA.

Additionally, the VA Research Forum event will feature panel discussions on a variety of topic important to Veterans, caregivers, and families. One panel, scheduled for 10:15 AM ET is titled "The Role of the caregiver" and will be hosted by Lee Woodruff, wife of ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and author of "In An Instant" and "Perfectly Imperfect."

The 2010 VA Research Week Forum will be help at the VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Room 230 & C7. Media check-in begins at 7:30 AM ET and the program wraps at 1:30 PM ET.

AVAILABLE FOR ONSITE INTERVIEW:
-- Stephen Cochran, Country Musician, Served with the US Marine Corps in
Iraq and Afghanistan and directly benefited from VA research and
health care
-- Lee Woodruff, wife of ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and author of "In
An Instant" and "Perfectly Imperfect"
-- Veterans
-- VA officials including Dr. Joel Kupersmith, Chief Research and
Development Officer, VA
-- Research investigators in the field of women's health, traumatic brain
injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diabetes,
neurological function, hypertension, post-deployment health, kidney
function, prosthetics, genomics, personalized medicine, comparative
effectiveness research, Alzheimer's disease, mental health, access,
and others.

For more information please visit www.va.gov

For more information please call MultiVu Media Relations at 1-800-653-5313 ext 3

MEDIA REGISTRATION, call: Katie Roberts, Press Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Desk: (202) 461-4982 / Cell: (202) 527-2332 / Email: katie.roberts@va.gov

/PRNewswire -- April 21/

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs

Web Site: http://www.va.gov/

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