CSP Central Office - Washington, D.C.

When 10,000 veterans suffered from tuberculosis in the 1940s, researchers enrolled them in VA studies to evaluate drugs for treating the disease. This effort was considered the first VA Cooperative Study and led to the development of the Cooperative Studies Program (CSP). The CSP was organized into its present form by James A. Hagans, M.D., Ph.D. in 1972. By enabling biostatistical and data management expertise and a clinical research pharmacy to be integrated with investigator-initiated ideas, a unique framework for conducting multi-site clinical trials in VA was instituted. The CSP has since grown into a major clinical research activity that encourages and supports VA investigators in conducting clinical research and collecting data across multiple research facilities.

Today, the CSP provides definitive research findings that have a direct impact on the clinical care given to our Veterans and the nation. Headquartered in downtown Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Central Office, the CSP links VA investigators to an extensive network of professional biostatisticians, health economists, pharmacists, programmers, and administrators. Along with its epidemiology centers, the CSP serves as a foundation for all clinical research efforts supported by the Clinical Sciences Research & Development Service of the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Research and Development. Additionally, the CSP has established several collaborations with other federal, international, university, and private industry partners. These activities are centrally directed, managed, and supported by CSP Central Office under the leadership of Dr. Rachel Ramoni, Chief Research & Development Officer.