About

About AVREF

The Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established to advance the research and education missions of the Department of Veterans Affairs through the support of both the research and education activities at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

Established in 1997

AVREF, formerly, CTHMRF was incorporated under the Laws of the State of Arizona on July 14, 1997, and has received tax exemption status from the IRS since its inception.

What We Do

AVREF has partnered with the Phoenix VA Health Care System to develop a diverse research portfolio dedicated to investigating a variety of ailments afflicting the nation’s Veterans. AVREF plays a crucial role in supporting VA physicians and researchers as they endeavor to understand how, why, and when diseases afflict the human system. AVREF facilitates collaborative efforts between the medical center, academic institutions, government research organizations, and private companies by administering a variety of programs.

Board of Directors

The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors, which sets policy governing the day to day activities of the Foundation.

Samuel M. Aguayo, M.D., Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development, PVAHCS, Board Chairman and Statutory Board Member
Alyshia Smith, DNP, Acting Medical Center Director, PVAHCS, and Statutory Board Member
Maureen McCarthy, M.D., Chief of Staff, PVAHCS, and Statutory Board Member
Shakaib Rehman, M.D., Associate Chief of Staff for Education,PVAHCS, and Statutory Board Member
Diane Parrington, Ph.D, Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Research, PVAHCS
Judy Gausman, CEO AZ Landscapers Association, Community Member
Negin Blattman, M.D., Physician, PVAHCS

History of the Phoenix VA Health Care System

The Phoenix VA Health Care System has cared for America’s Veterans in Phoenix for more than half a century. It’s an honor we extend to our Veterans, which would never have been possible without the help of the late former United States Senator Carl Trumbull Hayden.

In 1947, Senator Hayden arranged a meeting between President Harry S. Truman and a delegation of 27 Maricopa County residents. The delegation brought with them a petition signed by 100,000 voters requesting to build a VA Hospital in Phoenix.

The delegation was persuasive, and on May 21, 1947, President Truman authorized the transfer of 27 acres of the Indian School reservation at 7th Street and Indian School Road to the VA as a site for a new hospital. The VA Hospital opened its doors in 1951.

In order to recognize Senator Hayden’s assistance in this endeavor, and to honor his legislative and military service to Arizona, the Medical Center was renamed the Carl T Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Veterans Day, November 11, 1987. Since that time, the Veteran population has continued to expand and so have the services of the Medical Center. We treat more than 80,000 patients to comprehensive health care benefits using a managed care model of health care delivery.

While the Foundation recognizes Senator Hayden's significant contributions, the recently renamed the organization to include the Northern Arizona VA research efforts.