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Diamond Sponsors 
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Contact us to inquire about our sponsor/exhibitor opportunities by emailing info@navref.org or by
calling 202-951-7701
Conference Questions?
David Stout Program Support david@navref.org
Hawk Tran
Chief Operating Officer
htran@navref.org
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PRELIMINARY AGENDA OVERVIEW: 2025 NAVREF ANNUAL CONFERENCE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY FOR VA RESEARCH updated: July 9, 2025
Monday, September 15th
| 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM |
Breakfast
|
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM |
Welcome and National Anthem (NAVREF CEO and Champion Partner Eli Lilly & Co.)
|
| 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 |
Lunch on Your Own |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
NPC Sessions - ACOS-R Sessions |
| 2:30 - 3:00 PM |
Break |
| 3:00 - 5:00 PM |
NPC Sessions - ACOS-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.
Hear from our Diamond Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson, Ken Marcy, MBA, Associate Director, Strategic Account Lead Oncology
|
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: Policy and Progress at the Dawn of a New Century for 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
|
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 (NAVREF CEO and Champion Partner Eli Lilly & Co.)
|
| 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 |
Lunch on Your Own
|
| 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 Essentials
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.
Hear from our Diamond Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson, Ken Marcy, MBA, Associate Director, Strategic Account Lead Oncology
|
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: Policy and Progress at the Dawn of a New Century for 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:
|
|
| 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
|
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 (NAVREF CEO and Champion Partner Eli Lilly & Co.)
|
| 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 Session: Program 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 |
Lunch on Your Own
|
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
ACOS-R Session: Getting 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 Haven; Michael 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.
Hear from our Diamond Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson, Ken Marcy, MBA, Associate Director, Strategic Account Lead Oncology
|
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: Policy and Progress at the Dawn of a New Century for 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 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 |
ACOS-R Closed Meeting: Wrap-up with ORD
|
|
Promoting Partnerships To Improve Veterans’ Health