New VA Oversight Office to Monitor Research Safety

Washington, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is creating a new Office of Research Compliance and Assurance that will report directly to VA’s Under Secretary for Health. The office will ensure VA’s research programs place the highest priority on the welfare and dignity of patients who enroll in clinical studies.

“This office is a cornerstone of our efforts to continuously improve our high ethical standards in research,” Acting Under Secretary for Health Dr. Thomas L. Garthwaite said. “It will provide independent and routine assurance that VA research is conducted legally, safely and with integrity.”

The new office eventually will have a staff of compliance officers based in field offices across the country to provide guidance to VA and VA-affiliated researchers.

Dr. John H. Mather, previously VA’s assistant inspector general for health care inspections, has been named director of the new office. In his previous position, Dr. Mather was responsible for managing inspections of VA’s national health-care system by examining the effectiveness and quality of care at individual facilities.

The author of more than 200 journal articles and books, Dr. Mather is active in numerous professional associations, including groups involved with medical examiners, physician executives, otolaryngology and gerontology. He has served as senior manager of VA’s geriatrics and extended care program, as the top medical advisor for Social Security Administration disability programs and as an associate executive director for Paralyzed Veterans of America.