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PRELIMINARY AGENDA OVERVIEW:

2025 NAVREF ANNUAL CONFERENCE

DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY FOR VA RESEARCH

updated: July 9, 2025

JUMP TO TRACK

NPC Track | ACOS-R Track


Sunday, September 14th

 1:00 PM  - 3:00 PM Registration Opens
 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Pre-Conference: Networking Blitz™
 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM NPC NAVREF Membership Meeting - ACOS-R Closed Meeting
 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Welcome Reception


Monday, September 15th

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast 

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome and National Anthem

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Keynote: Veterans' Voices

    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Break
    10:30 AM - 11:30 AM NPC Sessions  -  ACOS-R Sessions
    12:00 PM - 1:15 PM  CME Lunch

    Presented by PeerView International

    1:30 PM - 2:30 PM NPC Sessions  -  ACOS-R Sessions
     2:30 - 3:00 PM  Break
     3:00 - 5:00 PM NPC SessionsACOS-R Sessions
     5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

    10th Annual NAVREF Awards Dinner and VA Recognition Ceremony

    Join this evening of celebration and recognition for champions in our unique VA Research arena. 


      Tuesday, September 16th

      7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

      Breakfast

        9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

        General Session: The NPC and the VA Research Office: Working Together Towards Common Goals


        Speakers: Dr. Irene Zoesch, ACOS/R & DEO, Mann Grandstaff Medical Center; Dr. Amado Baez, ACOS-R&D, VA Augusta Health Care System; Jeteseya Dennis, Executive Director, Augusta Biomedical Research Corporation; Brittany Baber, Executive Director, Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research; R. Amanda C LaRue, PhD, ACOS-R&D; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center; Danielle Fleumer, MPA, Executive Director, Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research; Leif A. Havton, MD, PhD, Deputy ACOS-R, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division

        10:00 AM - 10:15 AM  Refreshment Break
         10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Crossover Sessions: Building Affiliate Relationships
         11:15 AM - 1:00 PM

        Lunch and Learn: Topic TBA

        Private Luncheon: 2026 Conference Committee Volunteers (Designated Individuals Only)

        1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

        General Session: Navigating Change and the Current Policy Landscape Shaping Veterans Research

          2:00 PM - 2:15 PM  Break
           2:15 PM - 3:15 PM NPC Sessions  -  ACOS-R Sessions
           3:15 PM - 3:30 PM  Break
           3:30 PM - 4:30 PM  NPC Sessions  -  ACOS-R Sessions
           4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Industry Poster Session


          Wednesday, September 17th

           7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Wellness Activity: Puppy Yoga
           8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 

          Farewell Breakfast

             9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

            General Session: Future Vision of the VA Research Enterprise

            Speaker: Grant Huang

             10:00 AM - 10:15 AM  Break
             10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

            General Session: The Next 100 Years

            Panelists: Dr. Jay Gorman, Dr. Rona Relova, Dr. Arash Harzand

            Moderator: Rashi Romanoff

             11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

            NPC Conference Wrap-up

            ACOS-R Wrap-up 



            NPC TRACK


            Sunday, September 14th

             1:00 PM  - 3:00 PM Registration Opens
             3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Pre-Conference: Networking Blitz™
             4:30 PM - 5:30 PM NAVREF Annual Membership Meeting
             6:30 PM - 8:30 PM  Welcome Reception


            Monday, September 15th

            7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

            Breakfast 

            8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

            National Anthem and Welcome

            9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

            Keynote: Veterans' Voices

              10:00 AM - 10:30 AM  Refreshment Break
              10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
              Session 1: Federal Grants

              Speakers: Pamela Sharpe, Leah Phillips, Chris Perry

              Session 2: Generative AI Use in VA-NPC Business

              Speakers: Hawk Tran and Brittney Baber

              Finance Workshop (Session 1)

              Speaker: Assurance Dimensions 


               12:00 PM - 1:15 PM CME Lunch

              Presented by Peerview International

              1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

              Session 3: Strategic Planning with Your Board


              Speakers: Matt Dinsdale, Kinman Tong (Moss Adams)

              Session 4:  

              Finance Workshop (Session 2)


              Speaker: Assurance Dimensions

               2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

               Refreshment Break

               3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

              Workshop: NPC 101 / Essentials Hot Topics / Rogue

              Speakers: Lori Gould and Angie Smith

              Workshop: Crowd Sourcing Solutions


              Team Leaders (Facilitators): Carol Meyer, Allison Shafer, and Hawk Tran

              Workshop: NPC Governance

              Speakers: Moss Adams

               5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

              10th Annual NAVREF Awards Dinner and VA Recognition Ceremony

              Join this evening of celebration and recognition for champions in our unique VA Research arena. 

                Tuesday, September 16th

                7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

                Breakfast

                  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                  General Session: The NPC and the VA Research Office: Working Together Towards Common Goals


                  Speakers: Dr. Irene Zoesch, ACOS/R & DEO, Mann Grandstaff Medical Center; Dr. Amado Baez, ACOS-R&D, VA Augusta Health Care System; Jeteseya Dennis, Executive Director, Augusta Biomedical Research Corporation; Brittany Baber, Executive Director, Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research; R. Amanda C LaRue, PhD, ACOS-R&D; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center; Danielle Fleumer, MPA, Executive Director, Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research; Leif A. Havton, MD, PhD, Deputy ACOS-R, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division

                   10:00 AM - 10:15 AM  Refreshment Break
                   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

                  Crossover Sessions: Building Relationships with the Academic Affiliate

                  What it takes to get to the next level: Affiliate Research Relationships (none/needed) What it takes to get to the next level: Affiliate Research Relationships (exists but developing)

                  Speakers: Jeremy Greene (Phoenix NPC); Sam Aguayo (ACOS/R) Phoenix; Moderator: Michael Ryan (ACOS/R)

                  Speakers: Rebecca Rosales (NCIRE); Danielle Fluemer (SIBCR); Jennifer Mitchell (ACOS/R – San Francisco)

                  Moderator: Dr. Irene Zoesch


                   11:15 AM - 1:00 PM

                  Lunch On Your Own

                  Private Luncheon: 2026 Conference Committee Volunteers (Designated Individuals Only)

                   1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

                  General Session: Navigating Change and the Current Policy Landscape Shaping Veterans Research

                    2:00 PM - 2:15 PM  Refreshment Break
                     2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

                    Session 5: Strategies for Recruiting New PIs into Research and Marketing Your VA-NPC Within the VA


                    Speakers: Dr. Hal Scofield, Carmen Mincuy

                    Session 6: The Three Primary Responsibilities of Effective People Leadership


                    Speakers: Patrick Donnelly 

                     3:15 PM - 3:30 PM  Refreshment Break
                    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

                    Session 7: How to Increase Funds Within Your VA-NPC


                    Speakers Panel:

                    1. Casey Braddy (Eli Lilly & Co.);

                    2. Lewis Lea, Greg Corso

                    3. David Cennimo

                    Session 8: Budgeting: Industry Sponsored Trials


                    Speakers: Alicia Drew

                       4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Poster Session


                      Wednesday, September 17th

                       7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Wellness Activity: Puppy Yoga
                       8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 

                      Breakfast

                         9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                        General Session: The Next 100 Years

                        Panelists: Dr. Jay Gorman, Dr. Rona Relova, Dr. Arash Harzand

                        Moderator: Rashi Romanoff

                         10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Refreshment Break
                         10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

                        General Session: Future Vision of the VA Research Enterprise

                        Speaker: Grant Huang

                         11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

                        NPC Conference Wrap-Up and Adjournment


                          ACOS-R TRACK


                          Sunday, September 14th

                           1:00 PM  - 5:00 PM Registration Opens
                           3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Pre-Conference: Networking Blitz™
                           4:30 PM - 6:30 PM ACOS-R Closed Meeting
                           6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Welcome Reception


                          Monday, September 15th

                          7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

                          Breakfast 

                          8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

                          Welcome and National Anthem

                          9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                          Keynote: Veterans' Voices

                            10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Refreshment Break
                            10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

                            ACOS-R SessionProgram Development/Growth: What Worked, What Didn’t

                            Speakers: Irene Zoesch ACOS-R Mann Grandstaff Medical Center; Brooks Robey ACOS-R SLVHCS; Seema Joshi ACOS-R EKHCS

                             12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

                            CME Lunch

                            Presented by PeerView International

                            1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

                            ACOS-R SessionGetting Facility Level Support for Research

                            Speakers: Kristin Mattocks, ACOS-R Western MA; Lou Dell Italia, ACOS-R Birmigham VA; Michael Ryan, ACOS-R VA Columbia; Laura Petersen, ACOS-R- Houston VA HCS

                             2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

                            Refreshment Break

                            3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

                            ACOS-R Session: Multi-Site Research: Successes, Challenges and Solutions

                            Speakers: Sumitra Muralidhar, MVP Director; John Wells ACOS-R Bedford Healthcare System; Ryan Ferguson, Director CSP Coordinating Center

                             4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

                            ACOS-R Session: How Can an ACOS Succeed as a Researcher

                            Speakers: Terry Keane, ACOS-R Boston; Lori Bastian, ACOS-R, West HavenMichael Ong ACOS-LA; Dr. Signh, ACOS-Reno

                            5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

                            10th Annual NAVREF Awards Dinner and VA Recognition Ceremony

                            Join this evening of celebration and recognition for champions in our unique VA Research arena. 


                            Tuesday, September 16th

                            7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

                            Breakfast

                              9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                              General SessionThe NPC and the VA Research Office: Working Together Towards Common Goals


                              Speakers: Dr. Irene Zoesch, ACOS/R & DEO, Mann Grandstaff Medical Center; Dr. Amado Baez, ACOS-R&D, VA Augusta Health Care System; Jeteseya Dennis, Executive Director, Augusta Biomedical Research Corporation; Brittany Baber, Executive Director, Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research; R. Amanda C LaRue, PhD, ACOS-R&D; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center; Danielle Fleumer, MPA, Executive Director, Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research; Leif A. Havton, MD, PhD, Deputy ACOS-R, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division

                               10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Refreshment Break
                               10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

                              Crossover Sessions: Building Relationships with the Academic Affiliate

                              What it takes to get to the next level: Affiliate Research Relationships (none/needed) What it takes to get to the next level: Affiliate Research Relationships (exists but developing)

                              Speakers: Jeremy Greene (Phoenix NPC); Sam Aguayo (ACOS/R) Phoenix; Moderator: Michael Ryan (ACOS/R)

                              Speakers: Rebecca Rosales (NCIRE);

                              Danielle Fluemer (SIBCR); Jennifer Mitchell (ACOS/R – San Francisco)

                              Moderator: Dr. Irene Zoesch


                               11:15 AM - 1:00 PM

                              Lunch On Your Own

                              Private Luncheon: 2026 Conference Committee Volunteers (Designated Individuals Only)

                               1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

                              General Session: Navigating Change and the Current Policy Landscape Shaping Veterans Research

                                2:00 PM - 2:15 PM Refreshment Break
                                 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

                                ACOS-R Session: The ACOS Transition Process: Making It Easier for the Person Who Takes Your Place

                                Speakers: Lori Bastian, ACOS-R, West Haven; Brian Shiner, ACOS-R, White River Junction

                                 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM Refreshment Break
                                 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

                                ACOS-R Session: Leveraging VISN and Other Collaborative Partnerships

                                Speakers: Kristin Mattocks, ACOS-R, Western MA

                                 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Industry Poster Session


                                Wednesday, September 17th

                                 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

                                Wellness Activity: Puppy Yoga

                                  8:00 AM - 9:00 AM  Breakfast
                                   9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                                  General Session: The Next 100 Years

                                  Panelists: Dr. Jay Gorman, Dr. Rona Relova, Dr. Arash Harzand

                                  Moderator: Rashi Romanoff

                                  10:00 AM - 10:15 AMRefreshment Break
                                   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM General Session: Future Vision of the VA Research Enterprise

                                  Speaker: Grant Huang

                                   11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

                                  ACOS-R Closed Meeting: Wrap-up with ORD



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