MIRECC / CoE

SC MIRECC Core Update: Research with Dr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Pyne

What makes your Core unique?

The SC MIRECC Research Core distinguishes itself by offering investigators both pilot funding and robust methodological support for projects that advance our center’s mission to enhance engagement in, access to, and quality of VA mental health care. The pilot program provides up to $55,000 for one year to fund quality improvement projects, with a particular emphasis on projects intended to improve mental health services for Veterans in rural communities. Additionally, the MIDAS (MIRECC Implementation, Design, and Analysis Support) team offers centralized design, methodologic and analytic support to investigators who are seeking extramural research funding or conducting pilot projects. Each anchor site has a site leader to help connect investigators with the research core. Details of the pilot project funding, MIDAS support, and site leaders are available at the SC MIRECC website.

Q. What has your Core accomplished over the past year?

There have been big changes to the Research Core this past year. For example, in response to a change in the Office of Mental Health’s strategic priorities, the pilot program changed from supporting research studies to quality improvement projects. In addition, we welcomed Rebecca Raciborski, PhD, as the new MIDAS Director. Through these changes, the SC MIRECC Research Core continued to support six active pilot projects, with at least one project at each anchor site this past year, and MIDAS fulfilled numerous requests for methodological support from affiliate investigators.

Q. What are your goals for the coming year?

• Making sure we have the resources investigators need to submit and complete quality improvement projects. This includes 1) re-writing the SC MIRECC pilot program request for applications (RFA) and 2) re-structuring MIDAS to support quality improvement proposals and project completion.
• Create a multi-site contact registry of Veterans that could be used to facilitate recruitment for SC MIRECC sponsored projects.
• Create a multi-site RFA that would be supported by a VISN level IRB. This would make it easier for investigators to collaborate across anchor sites.
• Participate as a member of the VISN Research Council leadership to further facilitate cross-site collaboration and potentially assist in restarting a VISN-level Career Development Award.

Q. Whom would you like to highlight for their service to your Core?

Yes – a big shout-out to the following people:

• Brandon Griffin, PhD, Assistant Director of Research Core for spearheading the shift from research to QI projects and for accepting the Co-Vice Chair role on the VISN 16 Research Council.
• Rebecca Raciborski, PhD, for accepting the role of MIDAS Director.
• Brittany Hampton for assisting with the pilot study proposal submissions.
• Hannah Simpson, MS, for working on SC MIRECC supported pilot projects at the Little Rock VAMC.
• Amy Amspoker, PhD, for leading MIDAS until a few months ago.

Q. Is there anything you’d like to add that I haven’t asked?

The Research Core is a part of an outstanding SC MIRECC team. If you are not a part of this team already – join us!

Last updated: May 5, 2026