WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

The Baltimore Research & Education Foundation (BREF) is an independent, state-chartered, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization that administers and facilitates biomedical research and education programs within the VA Health Care System. Through cutting-edge clinical trials, innovative biomedical research, and a variety of educational activities we positively impact the health and wellbeing of our Veterans and their families at the VA medical centers we proudly serve including the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS), Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, the Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and the Hampton VA Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia.

A partner in our endeavors is the Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development program that focuses on improving the lives of Veterans through health care discovery and innovation. Through VA Research, the VA Office of Research & Development (ORD) fosters dynamic collaborations with university partners, other federal agencies, private industry, and nonprofit organizations like BREF.

As the academic affiliate for the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS), the University of Maryland School of Medicine works together with BREF and the VAMHCS to enhance patient care, education and research. Our partnership contributes to the continued excellence in VA research and patient care and conducting joint educational programs that address healthcare needs throughout the VA and the nation.

BREF is pleased to be an active member of the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations, the Society for Human Resource Management, Maryland Nonprofits, and is an affiliate member of NRG Oncology through the University of Maryland Baltimore.

BREF MISSION & VISION

MISSION - Advance the research and education missions of the Department of Veterans Affairs by providing a flexible mechanism for the receipt and administration of research and education funding from all sources other than funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs by the U.S. Congress.

VISION - Provide to the VA Medical Centers with which we are affiliated a host of resources through a well-run and efficient nonprofit corporation that is responsive to their research and education objectives.

BREF HISTORY

With passage of P.L. 100-322 in 1988 [codified as 38 U.S.C. §§7361-7366], Congress authorized VA medical centers to establish nonprofit research corporations to serve as “flexible funding mechanisms for the conduct of approved research and education” [§7361(a)]. This created an infrastructure for externally funded research and education to take place within the VA Health Care System.

The Baltimore Research and Education Foundation, Inc. (BREF) was chartered in the State of Maryland on July 9, 1990 to be the not-for-profit research and education corporation (NPC) affiliated with the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS). In 2018, BREF expanded to serve as the NPC for the VA Medical Centers in Hampton, VA, Clarksburg, WV, and Huntington, WV.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click the links below for articles from the National Association of Veteran’s Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) regarding the relationship between the VA and affiliated Non-Profit Research and Education Corporations.

VA and NPCs: A Unique Public/Private Partnership

VA and NPCs: A Legal Oddity

BREF ADMINISTRATION

Caroline (Cary) F. Zink, Ph.D.

Executive Director

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Cary earned a B.S. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University. She performed her post-doctoral training and served as a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH. Prior to joining BREF, Cary was an Investigator in the Clinical Sciences Division at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, a non-profit research institute affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine. There she ran a clinical research lab and was involved in various administrative and strategic planning activities. Cary has published over 20 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters and has been the recipient of various awards throughout her career.

Dawn hoelz

Director of Sponsored Programs

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Dawn has been working in research administration and development since 2001 with positions in academia, industry and other non-profits. She has extensive expertise in grant administration practices, methods and resources and has held the classification of CRA (Certified Research Administrator) through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC). Additionally, Dawn has experience in research development working to build and grow research portfolios. She has won awards for leadership and process improvement where she is trained as a practitioner of Lean, a philosophy of continuous improvement.

RHONDA TURNER

Personnel Specialist

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Rhonda has handled payroll, employee benefits, and personnel matters at BREF for over 20 years. Throughout the years, she has also acquired extensive knowledge of and involvement in VA processes related to Without Compensation VA employment, IPAs, VA personnel policies, and training, thus creating a collaborative and efficient bridge between BREF and VA for personnel and employment matters.

mary ellen warner

Business Manager

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BREF EMPLOYEES

BREF is proud to employ individuals across disciplines who are dedicated to supporting research and education endeavors that benefit our Veterans. BREF employees include, but are not limited to, research coordinators, statisticians, data managers, regulatory personnel, research scientists, project managers, and administrators.