The Salem Research Institute is a non-profit research 501(3)(c) organization affiliated with the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). SRI was incorporated in 1991. Since then it has grown into a research organization with over 30 affiliated investigators. It facilitates and administers non-VA appropriated research conducted by Department of Veterans Affairs physicians at the laboratories and clinics of Salem VAMC providing the flexibility and speed sponsors want in conducting their clinical trials while enhancing our ability to search for new or improved methods of treating human afflictions.

The Salem VAMC is tertiary care facility classified as a Complexity Level 2 which serves veterans throughout the entire state of Virginia for psychiatric care and southwestern Virginia. Comprehensive health care is provided through acute care, tertiary care, and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and dentistry. During a single year approximately 35,000+ patients are seen in over 360,000 outpatient visits. Approximately 3,500 unique inpatients are seen in 47,000+ visits annually.

While the veteran population is overwhelmingly male, around 10% of the Salem VAMC patient population is female. Approximately 45% of the patients are 65+. With an average age of 59 our patient base makes it ideal for clinical trials for diseases associated with aging. It provides a significant resource for number of endocrine and metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, lipid disorders, hypertension, hypogonadism, osteoporosis, and erectile dysfunction. Our diabetic population of over 4,000 patients is a major resource for clinical trials of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

The 298-bed facility is affiliated with the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic medicine and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine for the training of residents, medical students, and fellows in nine specialties. Nursing students are trained through our nursing affiliations with the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Western Community College, Radford University, Skyline, Duke, Liberty University, Graceland College, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, and South Dakota State University. In addition, 22 associated health-training programs are offered in affiliation with 46 other colleges and universities.

The Salem VAMC Mental Health Program supports a primary care psychiatry clinic where mental health patients receive their medical needs attended to by dually boarded psychiatrist/internists, residents, and nurse practitioners; 8 rural satellite mental health clinics; and 8 substance abuse after care programs throughout southwest Virginia. In the past year the program had over 1000 admissions to 106 inpatient beds plus a 16 bed Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. Current bed allocation is 35 acute beds; 25 behaviorally-disturbed dementia beds; 33 sustained treatment and rehabilitation beds for chronically, severely mentally ill; and a 13 bed Post-Traumatic Stress Treatment Unit. Approximately 4000 outpatients are seen in 40,000+ outpatient visits annually.

The estimated population for the surrounding Greater Roanoke Metropolitan area is over 230,000 with over 870,000 within one hour's drive of our facility. Through SRI, Salem VAMC investigators have the ability to recruit non-veterans into clinical trials when appropriate.

Salem Research Institute is easy for monitors to reach. Roanoke Regional Airport is only 20 minutes away. One can reach Interstate 81 in less than 10 minutes.

The Salem Research Institute offers comprehensive research services including:

• Experienced physician investigators and study coordinators
• Consultation in all medical and surgical specialties
• • Quick turnaround on Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
• In past two years over 80% of our studies met or exceeded target enrollment and over 30% exceeded target enrollment
• Investigational pharmacy with restricted and secure drug storage
• Radiology services with immediate result reporting
• CAP-certified general clinical laboratory
• CAP-certified endocrine laboratory equipped to perform a wide variety of immunoassays
• Dedicated refrigerator, freezer (-70° F to below), and freezer (-20° to -70° F)
• Cardiac Catherization Lab
• In-house Endoscopy
• In-patient facilities
• MRI and Cat Scan
• Special programs include:
  • Sleep Disorder Clinic
  • Smoking Cessation Clinic
  • Comprehensive AIDS/HIV Care
  • Women Veterans Health Program
  • Psychiatric Telemedicine
  • Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Detoxification Units
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Unit
• Pulmonary Function testing
• Electronic patient databases (VISTA and File Manager)
• Local IRB meets monthly

Lynne Moffitt
Executive Director
Salem Research Institute
Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (151)
1970 Roanoke Blvd.
Salem, VA 24153
USA
540-982-2463 x 1207/2029
540-224-1907 (fax)
lynne.moffitt@va.gov