In fiscal year 2006, there are 45 active principal investigators and approximately100 active projects at the Louisville VAMC. Such funded research programs include studies in surgical sepsis, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer treatments. Our investigators at the Louisville VAMC (Drs. Cheadle, Franklin, Garrison, and Gaar) are excited about continuing breakthroughs to improve surgical sepsis and the immune response to traumatic injury. Efforts are also under way to better understand the inflammatory processes associated with pneumonia, as well as hemorrhagic shock, hypovolemia, intraperitoneal infection, resuscitation, multiple organ failure, and vasoconstriction. Drs. Cheadle and Garrison have had continuous VA Merit Review funding for over 15 years and have participated in the training of fellows and residents. In addition, Dr. Garrison is the Principal Investigator of an NIH R01 research award for his work on "Direct Peritoneal Resuscitation from Hypovolemic Shock."

Dr. Harbrecht joined the Department in July 2006 and is currently building onto our respected Surgical Critical Care research program at the Price Institute of Surgical Research. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Institutes of Health R01 research award that focuses on glucagon and hepatic gene expression in surgical sepsis. Dr. Harbrecht is continuing his participation on a National Institute of General Medical Sciences Glue Grant that focuses on inflammation and host response to injury ( http://www.gluegrant.org). He was local lead investigator on the Glue Grant at his former institution.

Dr. Franklin continues a special community outreach project with Dr. Fallat (Division of Pediatric Surgery) to improve the EMS and 911 emergency response system throughout Kentucky. Their most recent efforts have included a detailed lobbying effort to personally speak of the matter to the Kentucky Legislature, offering alternatives and financial solutions to problems areas throughout the state. In addition, Dr. Franklin is the lead investigator on two arson prevention research grants as well as Principal Investigator on four clinical studies involving (1) GT267-004, vancomycin, and metronidazole in patients with c. difficile-associate diarrhea; (2) TAK-242 in adults with severe sepsis; (3) rFVIIa in the treatment of refractory bleeding in severely injured patients; and (4) topical administration of omiganan gel in preventing local catheter site infections.

Faculty members, investigators, and more:
http://www.va.gov/louisville/research.htm
http://www.priceinstitute.com/labs/trauma.html