Staff Publications and Presentations
Staff Publications and Presentations
From its early days, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) has conducted research to understand Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, and other mental health challenges facing Veterans. NW MIRECC's diligent search for answers to mental health problems afflicting our Veterans continue today.
The findings of NW MIRECC research are disseminated through MIRECC Presents, lectures and presentations, and publications. Below is a list of publications and presentations by VISN 20 NW MIRECC researchers and fellowship program faculty that are currently in press. Where available, a link to the full article is provided at the end of the citation.
In Press
Boehnlein, J. (in press). Cross-cultural perspectives on the assessment and treatment of severe trauma in the United
Hopko, D. R., McIndoo, C. C., & File, A. A. (in press). Depressive syndromes and medical comorbidities. In R. DeRubeis,
Morasco, B., Lovejoy, T. I., & Ilgen, M. A. (in press). Management of chronic pain in patients with comorbid substance
Yard, S. S., & McCutcheon, S. R. (in press). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In E. Rodolfa, & J. B. Schaffers (Eds.),
Bourassa, K. J., Edwards-Steward, A., Smolenski, D. J., Campbell, S. B., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (in press). The impact of
ABSTRACT: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results in high costs to society, particularly among military personnel. Much is known about PTSD treatments-such as exposure therapies-and their outcomes, but less is known about how treatment might impact social support and PTSD symptoms over the course of treatment. In the current study, soldiers with PTSD (N = 162) were randomized to complete prolonged exposure therapy (either with or without virtual reality) or a waitlist control condition. We examined the impact of treatment on perceived social support as a secondary treatment outcome, as well as the associations between social support and PTSD symptoms over time.
Bourassa, K. J., Stevens, E., Katz, A. C., Rothbaum, B. O., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (in press). The impact of
ABSTRACT: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to poor health, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). These effects may be a result of increased tonic cardiovascular function and cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). Despite PTSD's negative health burden, relatively little is known about whether frontline treatments for PTSD may alleviate cardiovascular risk. The current study was a secondary analysis of a larger intervention study of active duty soldiers with PTSD. We examined change in participants' resting heart rate (HR) and HR reactivity from baseline (prior to randomization) to mid- and post-treatment using residualized change regression models.
Kow, R., Sikkema, C., Wheeler, J., Wilkinson, C., & Kraemer, B. C. (in press). Dopa decarboxylase modulates tau
Lehavot, K., Katon, J., Chen, J., Fortney, J., & Simpson, T. L. (in press). Prevalence, correlates, and treatment
Li, G., Mayer, C., Morelli, D., Millard, S., Raskind, W., ... & Peskind, E. R. (in press). Effect of simvastatin
Logsdon, A., Meabon, J., Cline, M., Bullock, K., Raskind, M. A., Peskind, E. R., ... & Cook, D. G. (in press).
Lovejoy, T. I., Morasco, B., Demiednko, M. I., Meath, T...H...A..., & Dobscha, S. K. (in press). Clinician
Lozier, C. C., Nugent, S. M., Dobscha, S. K., Smith, N. X., Deyo, R. A., Yarborough, B. J., & Morasco, B. (in press).
Painter, J. M., Brignone, E., Gilmore, A. K., Lehavot, K., Fargo, J., ... & Gundlapalli, A. V. (in press). Gender
Poritz, J., Mignogna, J., Christie, A., Holmes, H., & Ames, H. (in press). The Patient Health Questionnaire
Raskind, M. A., Peskind, E. R., Chow, B., Harris, C., Davis-Karim, A., Holmes, H... & Huang, G. D. (in press).
Rau, H., Hendrickson, R. C., Roggenkamp, H., Peterson, S., Parmenter, B., Cook, D. G., ... & Pagulayan, K. F. (in press).
Shulman, G. P., Buck, B. E., Gahm, G. A., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (in press). Effectiveness of the intent to
Wyse, J. J., Morasco, B., Dobscha, S. K., Demidenko, M. I., Meath, T. H. A., & Lovejoy, T. I. (in press). Provider
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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana.
Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.
VA Regional Offices
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran
The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:
- Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
- Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
- Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
- Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).
Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.
Vet Centers in VISN 20
Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.
| Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK) |
| Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA) |
| Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID) |
| Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR) |
| Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR) |
| Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA) |
| Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK) |
| Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA) |
| Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR) |
| Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK) |
| Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA) |
| Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR) |
| Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR) |
| Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA) |
| Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA) |
| Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA) |
| Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA) |
| Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK) |
| Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA) |
Plan your trip to VA
In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.
VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.
The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.
Hospital Service Directory
To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.
