# Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH)

> **NIH VA I50** · EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL · 2024 · —

## Abstract

B. Abstract/Executive Summary: To create evidence and implement findings to support and guide the VA
in providing the best care in the right place at the right time. This is the vision for our Center of Innovation
(COIN), the Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH). We define complex chronic
care to include Veterans with complex needs and life circumstances, and those who use multiple sources of
care (e.g., VA, Medicare, non-VA care). Our mission statement describes what we do each day: to conduct
research to improve coordination and contextualization of health care delivery, improve outcomes for
Veterans with high priority neurologic conditions, disseminate and implement evidence, and train future
researchers. We will advance care by using innovative methods including direct observation and engaging
Veterans and VA partners in research resulting in high quality, high value, Veteran-centric care.
CINCCH focus areas are aligned with two of VA Secretary David Shulkin's top five priorities; modernization
and efficiency. With respect to modernization, VA is committed to redefining the Veteran-centered model of
care and to reducing fragmentation and duplication of care. Our first research focus is to develop and
implement strategies to optimize contextualization and coordination of health care delivery for
Veterans. We address Veteran-centered care by emphasizing the need to tailor or contextualize care to
patient life circumstances, and reduce fragmentation and duplication through improved care coordination.
Our second area is to develop and implement best practices for Veterans with high priority
neurologic conditions. This aligns with the priority for efficiency including strengthening foundational
services in VA. VA provides world class care for 26% of persons with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D),
the largest integrated network for SCI/D in the U.S. CINCCH's research in SCI/D addresses respiratory
infections, pressure ulcers, bone health, weight management and increasing access with telehealth.
Frances Weaver, Ph.D., Research Career Scientist, has been the CINCCH Director for ten years and a
health services researcher for over 30 years. She has considerable experience in leadership, collaboration
partnership, and mentoring. Saul Weiner, M.D. is the Associate Director. He is an accomplished researcher
and clinician with strong partnerships with VA Operations.
CINCCH works with several Operations Partners including the SCI/D Program Office and the Veterans'
Integrated Service Network 12 (VISN12). Other Partners include the Office of Patient Centered Care &
Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT), Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), the National Kidney
Disease and Dialysis Program Office, the National Center for Homelessness, the Office of Care
Coordination, and the Pharmacy Benefits Management Services (PBM). We are affiliated with three
academic institutions: Loyola University of Chicago (LUC), Northwestern University (...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11109576
- **Project number:** 5I50HX002724-05
- **Recipient organization:** EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** FRANCES M. WEAVER
- **Activity code:** I50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-10-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11109576

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11109576, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH) (5I50HX002724-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11109576. Licensed CC0.

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