Center Organizational Structure
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Crosscutting Cores
Research Operations
Lead: Fatima Makki, MPH, MSW
This Core oversees research portfolio management and faculty recruitment and assists with strategic planning. It has developed strategies and tools to support the grant submission process including conducting mock study sections, specific aims review sessions, and Feedback-in-Time (FiT) sessions. The Core offers guidance on regulatory and compliance requirements and works closely with the Research Service at the VAAAHS to ensure effective collaboration on research administrative processes.
Center Operations
Lead: Mike Robertson, MBA
This Core supports Center administrative functions (e.g., fiscal, IT, personnel, purchasing, travel, timekeeping, and contracting) for Core Investigators and research staff. It also works closely with services at VAAAMC, including human resources, finance, and OI&T.
Methods Core
Leads: Molly Harrod, PhD; Timothy Hofer, MD, MSc; Jeremy Sussman, MD, MS
The Methods Core provides investigators with consultation on quantitative, qualitative, mixed, and implementation/complexity methods and science. It also leads monthly seminars that focus on new analytic methods and current analytic challenges as well as periodic training sessions for investigators within and outside of CCMR.
Education & Training
Lead: Sarah Hawley, PhD
This Core oversees CCMR education and training activities for investigators. It promotes new programs and innovations, ensures that mentors have adequate training and protected time for their mentoring activities, and evaluates success of the program.
Inclusion, Diversity, Development, Equity, Anti-Racism (IDDEA)
Leads: Sarah Hawley, PhD; Michele Heisler, MD; Cassie Turner, LMSW
The IDDEA Core focuses on enhancing inclusion and equity at CCMR to maximize workplace satisfaction and make CCMR the Best Place to Work for health services research in the United States. The Core also works to incorporate health equity methods into CCMR research agendas. The Core has undertaken efforts on both the local and national levels to advance these goals, including organizational assessments, listening circles, seminars, and workshops.
Policy, Impact, Engagement
Lead: Samantha Lhermitte, MSW
This Core supports internal and external communication of CCMR accomplishments, and cultivation and maintenance of partnerships. This includes developing and disseminating newsletters and social media posts; providing updates for the VA CCMR website and the internal SharePoint site; and working with public affairs offices at VAAAHS and UM. The Core also provides support to investigators related to engagement with partners for both research and operational projects.
Technology Core
Leads: John Colozzi, BA; John Piette, PhD
This Core helps investigators and staff with hardware and software needs in day-to-day operations. It also works with investigators to develop innovative IT applications for interventional research and partnered work. Expertise provided by the Core includes: use of mobile health technology in VA research; VA data security policies; informatics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning; usability testing; strategies for long-term dissemination of products within VHA.
Advisory Groups
Center Expert and Stakeholder Forum
Co-chairs: Ginny L. Creasman, PharmD, FACHE; Joseph (Joe) Francis, MD, MPH
The Center Expert and Stakeholder Forum (CESF) helps ensure CCMR’s strategic plan remains aligned with the priorities of Veterans and VA. The forum provides input and feedback on ongoing and future research, capitalizing on new opportunities, and facilitating dissemination of research. Members include local and national leaders in VA, external experts in health systems research, and Veterans.
Veteran Research Engagement Council (VREC)
Lead: Deb Manderachia, LMSW
VREC’s mission is to “Improve research through a trusted partnership among Veteran’s communities and research investigators.” Research investigators and staff meet with VREC to ensure that Veterans’ viewpoints are reflected in the Center’s research, including design, materials, and dissemination of findings.
Staff Advisory Council (StAC)
The StAC is composed of project managers, data analysts, research associates, and administrative support staff. Its goals are to enhance communication with leadership, help resolve conflicts when they occur, and encourage staff involvement in Center decision-making. It solicits written and verbal feedback (with the option of anonymity), from staff regarding Center strategy, communication, transparency, and conflict resolution and meets with Center leadership monthly.
Investigator Leadership Council
The Investigator Leadership Council (ILC) provides input and oversight on research strategy, budget, recruitment, and overall strategic planning. Members include the Director, Associate Director, Core Leads, and selected Core Investigators.
