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VISN 2 Center for Integrated Healthcare (CIH)

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Laura O. Wray, PhD

Biography

Publications

Presentations

Grants

Laura O. Wray Photo

Biography

Biography: Dr. Laura Wray is the Executive Director of the Center for Integrated Healthcare (CIH) and the past Director of the CIH's Education/Clinical Core at the VA Western NY Healthcare System, as well as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. She directs the CIH Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment.

Before becoming a clinical psychologist, Dr. Wray earned her BS degree in Science Education from Cornell University. She has over 25 years of experience in the VA health care system and her former role as Director of the CIH Education/Clinical Core allowed her to combine her experience as a mental health clinician and researcher with her early interests in teaching science. In her original role, she supported the integration of mental health services into PACT through administering educational and clinical activities of the CIH, developing and providing training for VA staff working in primary care mental health programs, directing the CIH post-doctoral psychology fellowship, and continuing her research. Dr. Wray is a VHA Certified Mentor and enjoys helping others reach their professional goals. She continues to mentor junior colleagues in her role as CIH Executive Director.

Research Interests: Dr. Wray’s research career goal is to improve the primary care of Veterans with dementia. Her research examines the VA implementation of Primary Care – Mental Health Integration, Veteran perceptions of mental health care in PACT, recognition and primary care of dementia, and telephone-based education and support for family caregivers of Veterans with dementia. She also is currently the PI (along with Dr. Dave Oslin, VISN 4 MIRECC) of a VA Behavioral Health QUERI Project studying the implementation of Measurement Based Care in VA Primary Mental Health clinics.

Publications

Mavandadi, S., Oslin, D., Streim, J., Wray, L. O., & DiFilippo, S. (in press). Evaluation of a Telephone-Delivered, Community-Based Collaborative Care Management Program for Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Beehler, G. P., Lilienthal, K. R., Possemato, K. P., Johnson, E. M., King, P. R., Shepardson, R. L., Vair, C. L., Reyner, J., Funderburk, J. S., Maisto, S. A., & Wray, L. O. (in press). Narrative review of provider behavior in Primary Care Behavioral Health: How process data can inform quality improvement. Families, Systems, and Health.

Nieuwsma, J.A., Wray, L.O., Voils, C.I., Gierisch, J.M., Dundon, M., Coffman, C.J., Jackson, G.L., Merwin, R., Vair, C., Juntilla, K., White-Clark, C., Jeffreys, A.S., Harris, A., Owings, M., Marr, J., & Edelman, D. (in press). A problem-solving intervention for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in veterans: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials.

Possemato, K., Johnson, E., Wray, L.O., Webster, B., & Stecker, T. (in press). The implementation and testing of a referral management system to address barriers to treatment seeking among primary care veterans with PTSD. Psychological Services.

Buchholz, L.J., King, P.R. & Wray, L.O. (2017). Identification and management of eating disorders in integrated primary care: Recommendations for psychologists in integrated care settings. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 24, 163-177.

Kearney, L.K., Wray, L.O., Dollar, K.M., & Pomerantz, A.S. (2017). Psychological assessment in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Model of integrated primary care. In Maruish, M.E. (Ed.), Handbook of Psychological Assessment in Primary Care Settings (2nd ed., pp. 709-730). New York, NY: Routledge. 

Mavandadi, S., Graydon M.M., Wright, E.M., Oslin, D.W., Wray, L.O.  (2017). A Randomized Pilot Trial of a Telephone-Based Collaborative Care Management Program for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia.  Psychological Services, 14(1), 102-111. doi.org/10.1037/ser0000118

Wray, L.O., Pikoff, E., King, P. R., Hutchison, D., Beehler, G. P., & Maisto, S. A. (2016). Veterans’ Mental Health Beliefs : Facilitators and Barriers to Primary Care-Mental Health Use. Families, Systems, & Health, 34(4), 404-413. doi:10.1037/fsh0000231

Kearney, L.K., Wray, L.O., Dollar, K.M., King, P.R. (2015). "Establishing Measurement-based Care in Integrated Primary Care: Monitoring Clinical Outcomes Over Time." Journal of Clinical Psycholology in Medical Settings, 22(4): 213-227. doi:10.1007/s10880-015-9443-6

King, P. R., Vair, C. L., Wade, M., Gass, J., Kusche, A., Wray, L.O., Saludades, C., & Chang, J. (2015). Outpatient health care utilization among a sample of cognitively-impaired veterans receiving care in Geriatric Evaluation and Management clinics. Psychological Services, 12(1),66-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000015

Pomerantz, A.S., Kearney, L.K., Wray, L.O., Post, E.P., & McCarthy, J.F. (2014). Mental health services in the medical home in the Department of Veterans Affairs: Factors for successful integration. Psychological Services, 11(3), 243-253.

Maisto, S.A., King, P.R. & Wray, L.O. (2014) Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Integrated Healthcare. Federal Practitioner, 31(2), e3-e6.

Kearney, L. K., Wray, L. O., Dollar, K. M., King, P. R. & Vair, C. (2014). Primary care-mental health integration psychological assessment of veterans. In Bush, S. S. (Ed.), Psychological Assessment of Veterans. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Wray, L. O., Wade, M., Beehler, G. P., Hershey, L. A., & Vair, C. (2014). A program to improve detection of undiagnosed dementia in primary care and its association with heatlh care utilization. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22, 1282-1291. doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2013.04.018.

King, P. R., Wade, M., & Wray, L. O. (2013). Health care utilization in OEF/OIF veterans with closed TBI. Military Behavioral Health.

Wray, L. O., Szymanski, B. R., Kearney, L. K., & McCarthy, J. F. (2012). Implementation of primary care-mental health integration services in the Veterans Health Administration: Program activity and associations with engagement in specialty mental health services. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19(1), 105-116.

Wray, L. O., Mavandadi, S., Klaus, J. R., Tew, J. D., Oslin, D. W. & Sweet, R. (2012). The association between mental health and cognitive screening scores in older Veterans. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(3), 215-227.

Beehler, G. P. & Wray, L. O. (2012). Behavioral health providers’ perspectives of delivering behavioral health services in primary care: a qualitative analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 12:337, doi:10.1186/1472-6963-12-337.

King, P. R., & Wray, L. O. (2012). Managing behavioral health needs of veterans with TBI in primary care. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19(4), 376-392.

Funderburk, J. S., Sugarman, D., Maisto, S. A., Ouimette, P., Schohn, M., Lantinga, L. J., Wray, L. O., Batki, S. L., Nelson, B., Coolhart, D., & Strutynski, K. (2010). The description and evaluation of the implementation of an integrated healthcare model. Families, Systems, and Health, 28(2), 130-145.

Wray, L. O., Shulan, M., Toseland, R. W., Freeman, K., Vasquez, B., & Gao, J. (2010). The impact of a telephone support and education group for caregivers on the direct costs of care for veterans with dementia. The Gerontologist, 50(5), 623-631.

Beehler, G. P., Wade, M., Steinbrenner, L., & Wray, L. O. (2010). Growth curve analysis of BMI in relation to primary care utilization in prostate cancer survivors. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 4(3), 183-189.

Beehler, G. P., Wade, M., Kim, B., Steinbrenner, L., & Wray, L. O. (2009). Longitudinal assessment of BMI in relation to ADT use among early stage prostate cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 3, 233-240.

Toseland, R., Naccarato, T., Wray, L. O. (2007). Telephone groups for older persons and family caregivers. Clinical Gerontologist, 31(1), 59-76.

Presentations

Dollar, K.M., Kearney, L.K., Wray, L.O. & Pomerantz, A.S. (October 2016). One goal many pathways: Achieveing same day access in VA integrated care. Paper presented at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC. 

Wray, J.M., Funderburk, J. S., & Wray, L.O.(October 2016). Barriers and facilitators to implementing brief interventions for at-risk drinking and tobacco use: Perspectives from providers working in integrated primary care. Paper presented at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC. 

Pomerantz, A.S., Grasso, J.R., Woodward, E., Wray, L.O., Ritchie, M.,  & Dollar, K.M. (October 2016). Managing population health needs with integrated primary care: Tools and tips for successful implemenation. Paper presented at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC. 

Wray, L.O.,  McCarten, J. R., Vair, C.L., & Beehler, G. P. (November 2015). Identifying Gaps in Primary Care for Patients with Dementia. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s 68th Annual Scientific Meeting, Orlando, Fl.

Vair, C. L., Wray, L.O., Beehler, G. P., & McCarten, J. R. (October 2015). Engaging important stakeholders to assess gaps in primary care for dementia: Considering the forest as well as the trees. Paper presented at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Annual Conference, Portland, OR. 

Wray, L.O. (May 2015) The VA Center for Integrated Healthcare: A VA Mental Health Centers of Excellence.  Poster presented at the VA Mental Health Showcase, Washington, D.C.

Wray, L.O. (March 2015) Lessons from VA Integrated Care: Secrets of Successful PCMH Teams. Presented at Improving the Health of Young People: Integrating Mental Health Care and Primary Care in WNY. Elmwood Health Center, Buffalo, NY.

Vair, C. L., Gass, J. C., King, P. R., Wade, M., & Wray, L. O. (November 2014). Dementia and mental health concerns in VHA specialty geriatrics: Observations and clinical implications. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, DC.

Wray, L.O. & Pomerantz, A. (2014, October). Lessons from VA Integrated Care Implementers Part 2: Secrets of Successful Programs. Collaborative Family Health Association, Washington, DC.

Wray, L.O. & Vair, C.L. (2014, October). What Can Behavioral Health Providers Do?: Improving Primary Care of Dementia Through Integration. Collaborative Family Health Association, Washington, DC.

Wray, L. O., Pomerantz, A., & Arnott, M. (2014, September). The 30-Minute PC-MHI Appointment – The Functional Assessment. VA e-Health University, Orlando, FL.

Vair, C. L., Gass, J. C., King, P. R., Wade, M., & Wray, L. O. (2014, November). Dementia and mental health concerns in VHA specialty geriatrics: Observations and clinical implications. Poster to be presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, DC.

Wray, L.O. & Pomerantz, A. (2013, October). How Innovators Manage Real World Push-Back: Lessons from VA Integrated Care Implementers. Collaborative Family Health Association, Denver, Co.

Wray, L. O., Pomerantz, A., Arnott, M., & Dollar, K. (2013, September). The 30-Minute PC-MHI Appointment – Warm Hand-Off, Initial Assessment and Patient-Centered Action Planning. VA e-Health University, Orlando, FL.

Wray, L. O., Vair, C. L., Pikoff, E., Hutchison, D., King, P., & Beehler, G. P. (2012, November). Acceptability of screening for memory problems in primary care veterans. Paper presented the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Diego, CA.

Vair, C. L., & Wray, L. O. (2012, November). Relationship between cognitive function and positive health behaviors in a sample of community-dwelling veterans. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of Gerontological Society of America, San Diego, CA.

Pikoff, E., Beehler, G. P., Hutchison, D., & Wray, L. O. (2011, October). Patient perceptions of facilitators and barriers to mental health services in primary care. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Wray, L. O., Wade, M., & Beehler, G. P. (2011, February). The VISN 2 Dementia Case-Finding Program: An evidence-based approach to support the recognition of dementia in primary care. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the VA HSR&D National Conference, National Harbor, MD.

Beehler, G. P., & Wray, L. O. (2010, July). Managing the front line: Behavioral health providers' perspectives of a co-located, collaborative care model of primary care-mental health integration. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the VHA National Mental Health Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Wray, L. O. (2010, July). The VISN 2 dementia case finding program: An evidence-based approach to support the recognition of dementia in primary care.</ i> Paper presented at the VHA National Mental Health Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Wray, L. O. (2010, May). Cutting edge research and practice trends in Alzheimer’s Disease: The Telehealth Education Program (TEP) for caregivers of veterans with moderate to severe dementia. Invited paper presented at the meeting of the Administration on Aging and Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program: Grantee and Partner Meeting. Washington, DC.

Beehler, G. P., Dollar, K. M., Steinbrenner, L., & Wray, L. O. (2009, November). Primary care utilization and comorbid conditions among Veteran cancer survivors in VISN 2. Poster session presented at the meeting of the VA Regional Integrated Primary Care Conference, Albany, NY.

Dollar, K. M., Beehler, G. P., Kozlowski, L., & Wray, L. O. (2009, November). Cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco use among Veterans in primary care: Preliminary findings. Poster session presented at the meeting of the VA Regional Integrated Primary Care Conference, Albany, NY.

Beehler, G. P., Wade, M., Steinbrenner, L., & Wray, L. O. (2009, February). Growth curve analysis of the impact of primary care utilization on body size in early stage prostate cancer survivors. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Charlotte, NC.

Grants

Co-Director: (2017-2021). Knowledge Translation Core Precision Medicine in Mental Health Care. VA HSR&D IIR SDR 16-348 (PI: Oslin): $11,226,808.

Co-Principal Investigator: (2015-2019). VA QUERI Core Project: Expanding the Implementation of Measurement Based Care for Mental Health Conditions in PACT.  (Co-PI Oslin; Project begins 2016). VA QUERI on Team Based Behavioral Health Care Core Project. VA QUERI. (QUERI PI: Kirchner): $3,954,555

Principal Investigator: (2014-2018). Comparative Effectiveness of Delivery Models for Caregiver Support and Education VA HSR&D IIR 14-080 (Multi-PI: Mavandadi): $1,067,592.

Site Investigator: (2014-2018). RCT of Behavioral Activation for Depression and Suicidality in Primary Care VA HSR&D IIR 14-047 (PI: Funderburk): $858,784.

Site Investigator: (2013-2016). Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Prevention Coaching VA HSR&D CRE 12-285 (PI: Edelman): $1,015,782.

Principal Investigator. (2012-2013). Gaps in primary care of dementia. VA Mental Health QUERI Rapid Response Proposal. $94,325.

Co-Investigator. (2013-2016). Randomized controlled trial of group prevention coaching. VA HSR&D CRE 12-285 (PI: Edelman), $1,015,782.

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