Date and location:
October 30, 2025
National Veterans Resource Center Syracuse, NY
Overview
Syracuse University’s Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation (CHB) and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) hosted a collaboration lunch and workshop with colleagues from the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare (CIH). Thirty-five investigators, clinicians, and trainees met to connect, share priorities, and explore new partnerships focused on Veteran and Military behavioral health.
A long-standing partnership
Syracuse University and the VA have collaborated for more than 30 years. Syracuse University also played a key role in helping to establish the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare two decades ago. This event reflects the strength of that relationship and the continued commitment to work together across institutions.
Why it matters
Participants discussed shared interests across pain, sleep, substance use, mental health, digital health, and trauma. The goal was to build relationships, surface opportunities, and identify where joint efforts could grow. The emphasis was on openness to collaboration, not only on near-term deliverables.
What happened
- Brief introductions to map people and interests
- Small group discussions to compare approaches, populations, and methods
- Conversations about data, recruitment settings, and practical considerations for future work
Support for next steps
CHB and IVMF will offer pilot funds to jump-start promising ideas that emerge from this luncheon. Follow-up working sessions will be scheduled to develop proposals and define modest early milestones.
Who participated
Investigators, clinicians, staff, and trainees from Syracuse University, IVMF, and the VA CIH, with interests spanning behavioral health, health services, and implementation.
Get involved
If you are interested in joining follow-up sessions or learning about pilot funding:
- Email CHB@syr.edu
- Visit the CHB website https://healthbehavior.syracuse.edu/ and the CHB Award/Pilot Funding page: https://healthbehavior.syracuse.edu/awards/
Venue: National Veterans Resource Center, 101 Waverly Avenue, Room 104, Syracuse, NY