The VA Information Resource Center (VIReC) develops resources for and provides guidance to VA researchers using data. Our staff, scientists, and advisors include database and informatics experts, research methodologists, and experts for various database content areas. Check out the Meet VIReC: The Researcher's Guide to VA Data cyberseminar to learn about us, our products, and how to navigate our web environments.
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is a national leader in health research. VIReC is one of three Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) resource centers that supports this effort. We were established in July 1998 to service the VA research community, and are funded by HSR&D Service Grant 98-004.
VIReC provides direct support to VA researchers using VA data and information systems through our HelpDesk.
Researcher HelpDesk | virec@va.gov |
Veterans | VA Phone Numbers |
VA Information Resource Center (VIReC)
Building 18 Hines VA Hospital (151V) 5000 S. 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141-3030
708-202-2413
708-202-2415 (fax)
Please note that due to COVID teleworking, access to the VIReC office lines are limited.
Email is encouraged for the fastest response. |
A community of informed VA researchers empowered to use data effectively to improve Veteran health and health care.
To support the effective use of data by VA’s analytic community to transform Veteran health and health care as part of a learning health system.
Create Data Education & Resources – We translate complex information about VA data into user friendly data documentation, guides, methods briefs, cyberseminars, and tutorials.
Disseminate Data Knowledge – We facilitate knowledge sharing and the centralization of information about VA data through our websites, HelpDesk, and data user forum.
Strengthen VA Data Capacity – We collaborate with VA data stewards and program offices to increase the availability and utility of data within the learning health system.
VIReC is a key source of data knowledge and guidance regarding VA data and information systems. We disseminates products and services on our Intranet and Internet websites, including data documentation and user guides, cyberseminars and tutorials, HelpDesk services, and access to our virtual knowledge-sharing forum.
Data Knowledge Products – a knowledge base of factual and evaluative information for VA researchers who are using VA data and information systems.
Education – cyberseminars, presentations, and tutorials to help VA researchers with accessing and using VA data.
Data News – current news and updates regarding health data, databases, and medical informatics.
Publications – peer reviewed articles, papers, and journal supplements published by VIReC staff.
Support – individualized responses to requests from VA researchers about databases and information systems used for VA research.
VIReC maintains Internet and Intranet websites. This is VIReC's Internet site. The purpose of this site is to provide general information about VIReC activities. It is recommended that researchers use VA Intranet sites whenever possible. These sites contain additional information only available to VA staff.
VIReC's Intranet site provides resources and guidance for VA researchers using data and information systems. VIReC also collaborates on the VHA Data Portal, a gateway to information about VHA data. Researchers with VA network access can visit these sites by copying and pasting the following URLs into the browser.
VIReC Intranet: https://vaww.virec.research.va.gov/
VHA Data Portal: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/
VIReC’s staff and scientific advisors include database experts, informatics experts, research methodologists, and experts in various VA database content areas.
Maria Souden, PhD, MSI, Director, Research Health Scientist
VIReC Center Director, ORD Strategic Initiative for Research & EHR Synergy (OSIRES)
Melissa M. Joyce, MPH, Associate Director for Administrative Operations
Jenifer Stelmack, MSW, COR, Associate Director for Knowledge Management & Dissemination
Kristin de Groot, MPH, Project Director, VA/CMS Data for Research
Hannah Gelman, PhD, Program Manager, OSIRES
Linda Kok, MA, Senior Analyst for Data Access & Policy
Bonnie Paris, PhD, Program Manager, VA REDCap
Amanda Taylor, PhD, Program Manager, VIReC Data Translation Initiative for QUERI
Carlee Bettler, MS, Data Knowledge Specialist
Natassia Boening, MPH, OSIRES
Carolyn A. DePalma, BS, OSIRES
Andrea Goubeaux, MSW, OSIRES
Meghan Grum, MS, COR, Administrative Operations
Anne E. Hines, PhD, Data Knowledge & Documentation
Dolores Ippolito, MPH, COR, VA/CMS Data for Research | Data Access & Policy
Angela Jannotta, BA, Data Access & Policy
Donghui Kan, MS, VA/CMS Data for Research
Molly Kessner, MPH, Knowledge Management & Dissemination
Kaitlin Leonard, BA, OSIRES
Mark McCranie, MA, Knowledge Management & Dissemination
Linda Miller, BS, CAPM, Knowledge Management & Dissemination
Ashley Morris, BA, OSIRES
Sandra (Sandy) Pineros, PA-C, MPH, OSIRES
Isaac Purton, MA, OSIRES
Kjertsi Rich, PharmD, MA, BCPS, Data Knowledge & Documentation
Susan Salas, MLIS, VA/CMS Data for Research | Data Access & Policy
Jeanette Spitz, MPH, OSIRES
Joanne M. Stevens, BSN, RN, VA/CMS Data for Research
Sydney Thurman, MPH, Knowledge Management & Dissemination
Erika Trumble, MPH, Customer Engagement & Assessment
Katrine W. Weismantle, MSW, VA/CMS Data for Research | Data Access & Policy
Eileen Wilbur, MPH, RPh, OSIRES
Puling Zhang, MA, VA REDCap
Qiuying (Lucy) Zhang, MS, VA/CMS Data for Research
Chandrea Culbreath, MPH, BSN, CHTS-TR, Scientific Advisor
Margaret Gonsoulin, PhD, MA, Scientific Advisor
Neil Jordan, PhD, Scientific Advisor
Mary K. Goldstein, MD, MS, Chair
Robert Neal Axon MD, MSCR
Cynthia A. Brandt, MD, MPH
Kelly Cho, PhD, MPH
Jessica A. Davila, PhD, MS
Joseph Francis, MD, MPH
Margaret Gonsoulin, PhD, MA
Susana Martins, MD, MSc
Michael E. Matheny, MD, MS, MPH
John Quinn
Todd H. Wagner, PhD
Mary Whooley, MD, FACP, FAHA, FACC
Wyndy L. Wiitala, PhD