History
2022
Ten sites were selected to join the CSP Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES) following a competitive scientific review.
2018
The five CSP Coordinating Centers transitioned from ISO 9001:2008 and collectively earned ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. VA CSP NAVIGATE announced that it formed a partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to provide more access to the latest treatment options for VA patients with cancer.
2012
CSP launched the Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES), a consortium of VA Medical Centers with dedicated teams that conduct studies to evaluate and enhance overall performance, compliance and management.
The five CSP Coordinating Centers earned ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management, an acknowledgement of exceptionally high standards.
2011
CSP launched the Million Veteran Program (MVP), establishing one of the world’s largest genomic databases. The health and genetic information is intended as a library for use in future research to prevent and treat illness among Veterans and other Americans.
2007-2003
In 2007, the Little Rock CSP Coordinating Center created its Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory (PAL).
In 2004, the West Haven CSP Coordinating Center expanded to include the Clinical Epidemiology Research Center.
In 2003, CSP created its fifth CSP Coordinating Center at the Boston VA Medical Center, expanding the capacities of the Massachusetts Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (MAVERIC). CSP also became part of the new Clinical Science Research & Development Service (CSR&D), playing a key role in VA-sponsored clinical research efforts.
1999-1998
In 1999, CSP designated the Health Economics Resource Center at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System as the health economics coordinating center for CSP studies, established a DNA Bank in Palo Alto, and a Biospecimen Repository at the Boston VA Medical Center.
In 1998, CSP established three Epidemiological Research and Information Centers (ERICs) to conduct observational population-based research in Boston, MA; Durham, NC; and Seattle, WA.
1996-1990
In 1996, CSHS was integrated within CSP, and CSP was detached from Medical Research Service (MRS), forming a fourth independent research service within the VA Office of Research & Development (ORD).
In 1990, the VA Health Services Research and Development Services (HSR&D) partnered with the newly created Cooperative Studies in Health Services (CSHS).
1978-1974
CSP established third and fourth CSP Coordinating Centers at the Hines VA Medical Center and the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. The CSP CSP Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center (CSPCRPCC) moves to the New Mexico VA Healthcar System in Albuquerque.
1972
CSP was officially established as a division of VA Medical Research Service (MRS) to coordinate multicenter clinical trials that evaluated novel therapies or new uses of standard treatments. The first CSP Coordinating Centers (CSPCCs) were established at Perry Point, MD and West Haven, CT.
CSP also created the CSP Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center (CSPCRPCC) in Washington, DC.
1970
Dr. Edward Freis and the VA Cooperative Study Group on Antihypertensive Agents published the results of a landmark cooperative study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study showed that antihypertensive drugs could help to prevent or delay serious cardiovascular events. Dr. Freis won the Lasker Award and was nominated for a Nobel Prize for this work.
1962
The VA established four regional research support centers:
- West Haven, CT
- Hines, IL
- Little Rock, AR
- Sepulveda, CA
These new centers gave investigators access to techniques and specialized help in research design, statistical methods, data management, computer programming and biomedical engineering. Under the leadership of Lawrence Shaw and along with VA Central Office, the four centers began coordinating VA clinical research studies.
1960
Dr. William Tucker, Chairman of the first Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee (CSEC), published a monograph titled The Evolution of the Cooperative Studies in Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis of the Veterans Administration and Armed Forces of the USA. His summary outlined the "essential elements" of a controlled clinical trial.
1955
The Central Neuropsychiatric Research Laboratory at the Perry Point VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Maryland developed a program for conducting cooperative studies in psychiatry. The program emphasized the design and conduct of randomized trials for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia.
1946
Concerned with the health of 10,000 Veterans with tuberculosis, Drs. John Barnwell and Arthur M. Walker initiated a study to evaluate various drugs in the treatment of this disease, including the antibiotic streptomycin.
The results of the study not only revolutionized treatment for tuberculosis, but also led to the development of an innovative method for testing the effectiveness of new drugs: the multisite VA Cooperative Study.
