The Dayton VA Research & Education Foundation is a nonprofit corporation created to support the advancement of healthcare delivery through research and education activities. The Foundation provides VA facilities with a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of research as well as staff and patient education. Support is provided through government grants, private corporate and individual support, and through partner foundations. Through these channels of funding, The Foundation is able to support research in the advancement of medical devices, pharmaceutical, biological functions as well as various other research activities that ultimately benefit the care veterans receive.
Mission
Staff Members of Dayton VA Research & Education Foundation
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Board Members
Chairman of the Board
Mark Murdock, MHA, FACHE
Dayton Veterans Affairs Statuary Board Members
J. Thomas Hardy, DO
Dr. Hardy is board certified in Family Medicine and holds a Master’s Degree in Administrative Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. He attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Hardy is an affiliate of the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physician. He also serves as Associate Dean for Veterans Affairs for Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. He is a 101st Airborne Army Vietnam Veteran.
Dr. Wade attended Marquette University Dental School where he received his D.D.S. degree in 1977. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force as a Captain in the Dental Corps. He received his Certificate in Periodontics in 1984 and in 1987 became a Diplomate in the American Board of Periodontology. In 2006 he was awarded a Masters in Education from the University of West Florida. He was appointed as Dental Service Chief at the Dayton VA and serves as the VA Consultant in Periodontics. Since 2007 he has been an Examiner for the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Wade is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Ohio Academy of Periodontists and Dayton Dental Society. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel.
Robert Mott, MD, MPH, FACPM
Jennifer Worley is a Master’s prepared Registered Nurse with over twenty years of experience. She spent several years as an Operating Room nurse at a level one trauma facility and then as an Early Intervention Nurse serving children with disabilities and their families and later as a School Health Coordinator in Montgomery County. Ms. Worley advanced her career at the Dayton VA Medical Center where she has served for more than ten years caring for our nation’s heroes. Currently, Ms. Worley serves as the Chief of Education creating and supporting an enriched learning environment for staff and students so they may continue to serve our Veterans with the highest quality care
Jack Bernstein, MD
Community Board Members
Byron Wade, DDS
Jennifer Worley MSN, RN
An Ohio native, Jeremy was appointed by the Board of Directors to oversee the day to day operations of the Foundation. Jeremy has extensive experience in executive hospital administration, medical education administration and humanitarian outreach administration. Recently he formed his own suite of ventures focused on lifestyle and property products before serving as the director for the foundation. In his spare time he enjoys time with his family, traveling, and architectural design. He is a veteran of the USAF serving as a B-52 Crew Chief
Executive Director
Jeremy Greene, MS
Research Coordinator
Donna Woerner, MSN, BA
Donna Woerner has been an RN for 38 years, with a BA degree in Sociology and a Master of Science in Nursing. She has worked in med-surg, ICU, dialysis units, and as an adjunct faculty member. In 2012 she was involved in a pharmaceutical research study, and transitioned into a Research Nurse position in 2013. Since then, she has participated in six studies at the VA. Currently she is the coordinator for the INTREPID and TRAVERSE studies, and is facilitating start-up for the BRAVE, EMPA-Kidney, and PREVENTABLE research studies. Donna has produced training videos, presented “brown bag” in services, and was awarded two public health grants for education. She presented an abstract at a University of Missouri nursing conference, and wrote a hemodialysis training manual which is still in use at some VAs throughout the country.
Madhavi Kadakia, PhD
History of DVAREF
The Dayton VAMC Research & Education Foundation, Inc. was incorporated into the State of Ohio on March 16, 2001 and is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt corporation (federal tax identification number is #31-1775793). The Research Foundation, an Equal Employment Opportunity employer in compliance with the Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines and federal laws, may exercise all rights and powers conferred on nonprofit public benefit corporations, under the laws of the state of Ohio. As provided in the authorizing statute, all funds expended by the Foundation must directly or indirectly support research or educational activities.
VA medical centers are authorized to establish nonprofit research and education corporations under Title 38 USC §7361-7368; and accept and administer private and non-VA federal funds; in support of VA's research and education missions. The congressional intent in enabling these corporations is to provide VA facilities with a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of research as well as staff and patient education.
The Dayton VAMC's Research & Education Foundation, Inc. was created to support the advancement of healthcare through research and educational activities that will provide the staff of the Dayton VAMC with the skills and ability to deliver quality healthcare to Veterans.
A Board of Directors governs the Research Foundation and is comprised of seven to eight members. Four are Board members by virtue of their VA Healthcare Systems of Ohio positions, including the Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development, and Associate Chief of Staff for Education. Legislation also requires that the Board have two members who are not officers or employees of the federal government and who are familiar with issues involving research or education and training as appropriate for the activities of the Research Foundation. The Board of Directors has appointed an Executive Director to develop and implement policy and manage the operations of the Research Foundation.