Save the dates: VA Augusta celebrates a century of VA research excellence with local events
VA Augusta Health Care System is commemorating 100 years of pioneering research at Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the nation.
To mark this significant milestone, VA Augusta is hosting two innovative events in May: a weeklong Datathon and a comprehensive Research Week, underscoring the profound impact of their research and collaborative efforts on Veteran healthcare.
“Celebrating 100 years of research excellence is a monumental achievement for the VA,” said Oscar Rodriguez, Acting Executive Director of VA Augusta Health Care System. “Our ultimate goal at VA Augusta is to ensure that Veterans receive the best possible healthcare, and our local research team is at the forefront of that effort.”
Datathon: May 12-16, 2025
VA Augusta’s Datathon will focus on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare research. This event, spanning five days, will showcase revolutionary data-driven approaches to improving patient care and outcomes using large data systems.
“The Datathon embodies our commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI to innovate and push the boundaries of biomedical research,” said Dr. Amado Alejandro Báez, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at VA Augusta. “It’s about leveraging data to find innovative solutions that directly benefit our Veterans.”
Research Week 2025: May 29-30, 2025
Research Week 2025 promises to be an engaging two-day event, bringing together esteemed research groups and scientists from diverse organizations, universities, and institutes, both regionally and beyond. The focus will primarily be on the application of data science and AI in critical care, sepsis, and injury research.
“This event is a unique opportunity to share knowledge and collaborate on transformative research projects,” said Báez. “It is through these collaborations that we can continue to innovate and improve healthcare for our Veterans.”
Under Dr. Baez's leadership, the Research Services and Affiliations unit at VA Augusta is steadfast in its mission to modernize facilities and integrate pioneering technologies such as 3D printing, tissue engineering, and virtual reality applications in medical contexts. In addition, the establishment of a high-power data center will facilitate access to nationwide databases, further bolstering biomedical research efforts.
The research efforts at VA Augusta are supported by more than 30 active investigators and research staff working in diverse fields, including tumor immunology and angiogenesis, vision, cardiology, pulmonary sciences, critical care/shock, PTSD, rheumatology, and sensory sciences. These dedicated researchers are instrumental in driving forward innovations that meet the complex healthcare needs of Veterans.
For more information on the Datathon contact Dr. Brian Le at brian.le@va.gov and for Research Week information contact Dr. Supidto Das at sudipto.das@va.gov.