Will Moore is a Navy Veteran who served as a Surface Warfare Officer commissioned at Oregon State University. Currently, Will is a medical student at OHSU as well as the newest member of CIVIC's VEG. In the Navy, Will "really enjoyed the aspects of navigation, as well as launching and recovering aircrafts." He feels a sense of honor to have served with "incredible crews, alongside some of the hardest working and brightest minds in the armed forces."
Will is motivated to participate in VEG by the "hope to provide researchers and health professionals the feedback needed to improve their efforts." He feels that VEG "gives unique perspectives to investigators and programs effecting change." Will has seen the passion behind each VEG members' participation; he adds, "the researchers within the VA have proven to be equally energized and interested in bettering care" for Veterans. Through VEG, Will connects with the Veteran community, "since moving to Portland, VEG was the first connection to Veterans I made since separating in 2018."
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Veteran Engagement Group
Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC)
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Veteran Engagement Group
Left to Right: Jennie Boster, Mary Frances Ritchie, John Neibert, Cassandra Krawec-Paul, John Lind, Lisa Neibert, Linda Ganzini, and Sarah Ono
Veteran Engagement (VE) is an aspect of research and research practice that the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) values. At CIVIC we seek to expand the engagement of Veterans in research to increase the dialogue between researchers and the Veteran community. We strive to innovate in this area and contribute greater understanding of Veteran (patient) engagement to the larger scientific community. CIVIC's VE program includes:
- CIVIC's Veteran Engagement Group (VEG)
- Elements that involve Veterans in individual research studies
- Research that incorporates Veteran narratives using the DIPEx approach
- Targeted dissemination, or sharing, of research to the local Veteran community
- VHA Health Systems Research learning collaborative on Veteran Engagement
The VEG is a platform for Veterans to share their perspectives with other Veterans, researchers at the Portland VA, and the larger Veteran community. By joining the CIVIC VEG, Veterans can help shape the future of VA research and impact health care for all Veterans.
Established in 2015, the CIVIC Veteran Engagement Group (VEG) is comprised of 7 Veterans from multiple service eras and branches of the military. VEG members include Veterans who are VA patients, former VA employees and volunteers, and Veteran clinicians. The VEG provides individual feedback to CIVIC Investigators and research teams at all phases of the research process-from proposal development to dissemination of findings, and all steps in between-at monthly meetings.
The VEG supports the mission of the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care and Veteran engagement strategies of VA Health Systems Research and the VA Blueprint for Excellence.
CIVIC Investigators have gotten VEG feedback on the following topics:
- The effect of PTSD treatment on cognition
- HSR pilot research proposal "Developing a Model for Multi-dimensional Veteran Engagement in HSR Research"
- PCORI research proposal "Comparative Effectiveness of Patient-Centered Strategies to Improve Pain Management and Opioid Safety for Veterans"
- Veteran Societal Engagement: what are the health effects?
- Patient symptom experience
- HSR Career Development Award (CDA) proposal "Optimizing Veterans' Social Relationship to Enhance Depression Care"
- Progressive Tinnitus Management Program Project
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Goal Concordance Project
- Social Media Surveying
- Pulmonary Nodule Project "Watch the Spot Trial"
- Enhancing Appointment Letters to Reduce Missed Visits
- Longitudinal Analysis of Benefits and Harms of Long-Term Opioid Therapy to Inform an Evidence-Based Decision Support and Communication Tool
Veterans bring important perspectives to the research process and as users of the health care system we are working to improve, their input holds the potential to increase the relevance and uptake of research into clinical practice. The Veteran community has unique needs and we have found that the best way to get feedback is to go to the Veterans themselves. The VEG provides a diverse group of VA users who are learning about the research process, while also increasing our understanding of Veterans' views and priorities.
Giving Veterans a Voice is important. Because sometimes Veterans feel like a number in a machine. But getting Veterans perspectives make you feel like you have a voice.
- Veteran Engagement Group Member
Who are some of the VEG Members?
Aaron Call
Biography My name is Aaron Call and I am a US Navy Veteran. I've been getting my healthcare at the Portland VA since 2014 and working here in a research role since 2020. I am the Research Team Manager for Dr. Alan Teo at the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC). My role on Dr. Teo’s team includes overall team management, ensuring regulatory compliance, contributing to grant submissions, and assisting with project management across studies. My roles in research projects may involve qualitative coding and data analysis, building surveys for online data collection, database creation and management, and research dissemination activities. In addition to volunteering in CIVIC’s Veteran Engagement Group, I regularly attend GROVE’s (Growing Rural Outreach through Veteran Engagement) Veteran engagement meetings to learn from veterans on other engagement boards. In my work, I enjoy connecting and talking with other veterans and I am motivated to learn how we can build trust within the VA heath care system (and the wider world). I have a master’s degree in education, and prior to my career in VA research I worked for several years as a teacher.
Matt Geiger
Biography My name is Matt Geiger. Years of service: 2002 - 2008. I’m a versatile creative professional with a deep background in art, design, and technology. I’ve spent years in the trenches of the tech world, from semiconductor manufacturing to the automotive industry, honing my skills in electronics, nanotechnology, 3D modeling, UX research, electric vehicles, and augmented reality—all while fostering a passion for human-centered design. I’m a Navy Veteran with expertise in electronics technology, RADAR, and communication systems, and I hold multiple advanced degrees from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Design. I’ve also relied on VA healthcare and hospitals off and on since my enlistment ended. Recently, I worked at General Motors defining CX Strategy, quality assurance practices, and usability research for EV launches. Now, I’m applying my passion for service in the field of social work at a local non-profit, helping to improve lives and fight hunger in my community.
Irisa Grimes
Biography Irisa Grimes is a United States Marine Corps OIF/OEF veteran. She deployed to Al-Taqaddam in the Al-Anbar Province in 2007 as a Motor T Mechanic. She graduated Pacific University in 2017 with a BA of Public Health and works at the Portland VA as a Research Assistant. Irisa is PASSIONATE about Veterans’ health, social justice, health care equity and intersectionality. Her senior capstone, Operation SafeTransPort, proposes a Portland based pilot program designed to reduce provider-related social stigma towards transgender veterans accessing the VA Health Care System. This fall Irisa starts her Occupational Therapy Doctoral program and hopes to return to the Portland VA. She lives in an old farmhouse in Forest Grove with her partner, their border collie and their really fat cat.
Cassandra Krawec-Paul
Biography My name is Cassandra Krawec-Paul. Branch: US Army/ Oregon Army National Guard Years of Service: 2001-2013. I am a member of the Veterans Engagement Group at the Portland, Oregon Veterans Medical Center. I’m a retired Veteran of the Oregon Army National Guard 41 Special Troops Battalion. I am an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Wounded Warrior, and life-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I have earned a Master of Business Administration from Grantham University. I used the VA for my medical care for the last 14 years. I joined the VEG group to be able to be a part of a program that takes the voice of the Veteran right to the researchers so that it can help increase the quality of healthcare that is provided to all Veterans. The roles I have been in are as VEG member and research subject.
Jae Kwon
Biography Jae is a U.S. Navy veteran in Austin, Texas, currently working in tech. He enjoys running, drawing, reading, and the arts. When time allows Jae loves to travel to the vast, unperturbed landscape of West Texas.
Military History: U.S. Navy 2003-2015 Hospital Corpsman - 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Cardiovascular Tech - Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Education: The University of Texas at Austin, BA in Sociology, Health & Society
Military History: U.S. Navy 2003-2015 Hospital Corpsman - 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Cardiovascular Tech - Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Education: The University of Texas at Austin, BA in Sociology, Health & Society
John Lind
Biography John Lind was drafted into Army on September 27, 1967. He did Army Basic Training at Ft. Lewis and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk. Shortly after Christmas in 1967, he was sent to Vietnam. He was assigned to D Company, 1st of the 5th Air Calvary as an Infantryman. John was wounded in action on March 31, 1968 by a mortar round during a fire fight. He spent three months in a hospital in Vietnam, and was sent to Okinawa for further hospitalization. He was reassigned to the Finance Office and had his MOS changed to Finance Specialist. He ended his military service on September 16, 1969.
John has spent twenty years as a board member for the Selective Service Local Board No. 5 in Portland. John is a member of the Clinical and Patient Engagement (CAPE) and the Advanced Patient Engagement advisory boards at Oregon Community Health Information Network (OCHIN). He was a Seed Committee participant for the Veteran Engagement Group (VEG) at CIVIC. For the past 27 years, John has been the leader of his marching band.
John has spent twenty years as a board member for the Selective Service Local Board No. 5 in Portland. John is a member of the Clinical and Patient Engagement (CAPE) and the Advanced Patient Engagement advisory boards at Oregon Community Health Information Network (OCHIN). He was a Seed Committee participant for the Veteran Engagement Group (VEG) at CIVIC. For the past 27 years, John has been the leader of his marching band.
Ashley Taylor
Biography Ashley Taylor is a Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator with Portland VA's Suicide Prevention Team. She implements community-based interventions for suicide prevention in rural, tribal, and metropolitan areas. Before joining VA in 2023, Ashley worked in the non-profit sector for ten years specifically focusing on increasing access to mental health services for Veterans and their families. She has a passion for training community partners on facts surrounding Veteran services as well as Veteran suicide and suicide prevention. Ashley holds a Master of Science degree in General Studies in Human Behavior and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a certified instructor for peer support and suicide prevention trainings. Ashley is an Army Veteran with two Iraq deployments and lived experience accessing mental health care through VA after transitioning out of the military. Ashley is an active member with the VFW and the American Legion. She currently resides in Columbia County, Oregon with her husband who is an Army Veteran and their son.
Sarah Ono, PhD
Biography Sarah Ono, PhD is a CIVIC researcher and a cultural anthropologist. Dr. Ono has been working in VA since 2009, and joined CIVIC as a Core Investigator in 2014. Along with Drs. Ganzini, Barton, and Saha, Dr. Ono is developing CIVIC's infrastructure for participatory research and working closely in the development and implementation of the VEG. Working with the VEG Veterans is a bright-spot each month that she looks forward to, along with opportunities to collaborate with VEG members.
Traben Pleasant
Biography Education: BA, Cultural Anthropology, Humboldt State University; MSc. Socio-Cultural Anthropology, University College London; Applied Anthropology, Oregon State University, PhD
Military History: Army Reserve, 1998-2002, Logistics; Active Duty Marine Corps, 2002-2006, Field Radio Operator. I conducted three tours in Iraq across 2003-2005, and I had the privilege to work with Marine Corps Infantry and Combat Engineer units as well as an Army Special Forces unit.
I enjoy doing anthropological and ethnographic research on humans, and I enjoy reading, writing, running, swimming/surfing, hiking, music, art, film, travel, learning new languages and learning new ways of perceiving and finding beauty in the often chaotic world we live in. Godspeed!
Military History: Army Reserve, 1998-2002, Logistics; Active Duty Marine Corps, 2002-2006, Field Radio Operator. I conducted three tours in Iraq across 2003-2005, and I had the privilege to work with Marine Corps Infantry and Combat Engineer units as well as an Army Special Forces unit.
I enjoy doing anthropological and ethnographic research on humans, and I enjoy reading, writing, running, swimming/surfing, hiking, music, art, film, travel, learning new languages and learning new ways of perceiving and finding beauty in the often chaotic world we live in. Godspeed!
Fun Fact: Will's time outside of VEG is filled with school and family. He is a third year medical student at OHSU studying Family Medicine and has a 15 month old son.
Cassandra Krawec-Paul is any Army Veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and is a founding member of VEG. Cassandra joined VEG for the same reasons she joined the Army, "to give to others and to be a part of something bigger than myself" and she continues to be a member of the group because her drive to remain connected to the Veteran community, to be helpful and to give back is strong. Through VEG, Cassandra has learned how dedicated others are to caring for Veterans, "the researchers care about doing good for the Veteran community [by making sure they] get care and programs to enrich their lives." In addition to that, she has learned a lot about the inner workings of health services research, "there are a lot of behind-the-scenes actions that no one really understands...It is a lot of detailed work and I am glad that the research department puts in so much time and effort to help Veterans."
Outside of her dedication to VEG, Cassandra remains connected to the Veteran community through Veteran organizations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). She also connects with Veterans through Facebook and through volunteering at her son's school, with sports, and with the Boy Scouts. She says she loves to help other Veterans by haring information, "when I was in the Army, I was always helping my soldiers to get them information and tools to better themselves." Cassandra has carried these habits forward and is always helping Veterans in her community, "I did help an Air Force Veteran get a service dog through the program I received my service dog."
Outside of her dedication to VEG, Cassandra remains connected to the Veteran community through Veteran organizations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). She also connects with Veterans through Facebook and through volunteering at her son's school, with sports, and with the Boy Scouts. She says she loves to help other Veterans by haring information, "when I was in the Army, I was always helping my soldiers to get them information and tools to better themselves." Cassandra has carried these habits forward and is always helping Veterans in her community, "I did help an Air Force Veteran get a service dog through the program I received my service dog."
Fun Fact:Cassandra loves singing karaoke. "I started my singing career while in the Army bonding with my fellow soldiers."
Stan Eubanks is a retired Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veteran. He served in the Army for 3 years, in the Army Reserves for 7 years and in the Oregon National Guard for 17 years. During his time in the military, Stan wore many hats. He was an engineer instructor, a courier, an occupational therapy assistant, a combat medic, and an infantryman. Stan, a newer member of VEG, says that he is motivated to participate because he uses VA health care and believes that his experiences as a patient are valuable. He adds, "as a medical sergeant in the Army, I experienced how the soldiers received the injuries that led to their ability to utilize the VA system." Stan identifies the "professionalism and commitment" of CIVIC investigators as something he has learned about through VEG. When he's not spending his time at monthly VEG meetings, Stan engages with the Veteran community through his memberships with the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
Fun Fact: Stan is a "diehard" Los Angeles Dodgers and Oregon Ducks football fan.
John Lind is a Vietnam era Army Veteran and has been a member of CIVIC’s VEG since its inception in 2015. When asked about his continued commitment to VEG, John shared that his motivation to participate monthly comes from the fact that VEG gives him the opportunity to interact directly with influential VA researchers. John believes that Veteran engagement is important because CIVIC researchers “have specific questions that need a Veteran’s answer,” and VEG gives him the space to provide representation for the Veteran community. “Talking with researchers about current subjects that are going to be funded or are currently funded was exciting because they wanted to hear our voice.” In addition to helping researchers learn what is important to Veterans, John has been able to learn about various research topics (such as tinnitus, opiates, and lung cancer), as well as gain insight into the collaborative process of research. “Your voice is important and there’s not just one perspective in a room, your background is going to make a difference in how you see things.” Aside from VEG, John continues to contribute to the Veteran community by participating as a non-scientific board member of The VA Portland Health Care System Institutional Review Board, and is a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and First Cavalry Airmobile.
Fun Fact:John is a marching snare drummer and has been the director of his marching band entitled, “Get a Life Marching Band,” for the last 20 years.
"Why I am engaged in research"
By John D. Lind, Vietnam Veteran
Background: The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS), Health Systems Research (HSR) Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) established a Veteran Engagement Group (VEG) to support research in 2015. John Lind is a Vietnam Veteran, leader of the "Get a Life" Marching Band based in Portland, OR, and in a former member of the Patient Engagement Panel (PEP) at the Oregon Clinical Health Information Network (OCHIN). Mr. Lind is a founding-member of the CIVIC VEG and participated in the Seed Committee that helped the initial group.
By John D. Lind, Vietnam Veteran
Background: The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS), Health Systems Research (HSR) Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) established a Veteran Engagement Group (VEG) to support research in 2015. John Lind is a Vietnam Veteran, leader of the "Get a Life" Marching Band based in Portland, OR, and in a former member of the Patient Engagement Panel (PEP) at the Oregon Clinical Health Information Network (OCHIN). Mr. Lind is a founding-member of the CIVIC VEG and participated in the Seed Committee that helped the initial group.
I still remember meeting with Sarah Ono for the first time in 2015. Dr. Ono told me about a Veteran group they wanted to engage with at the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC). I felt excited in giving back to research as I was getting all my care at the VA. I loved the open dialog of those initial meetings as we figured out what we would be doing in research and getting to know each other.
My voice was heard as well as all the other Seed Committee members as we took on the task of forming this special Veteran research group over the course of 6 months. I believe that the reason we are so successful today is the slow and steady pace we took in getting the group started from the beginning.
After the Seed Committee, I was asked to become a member of the group now called the CIVIC VEG. I loved the concept and the promise of how I could interact with researchers and offer a Veteran's voice to help inform the development of studies. One major difference from other research groups I have participated in, is that the VEG doesn’t need to be highly structured with bylaws or voting. We show up to the meetings, review notes and provide direct feedback to researchers.
The VEG wanted true and honest Veteran feedback and dialogue with researchers and their teams. I believe that's what we still have to this day. That's why I can hardly wait to show up for the next meeting. I think Mary Frances Richie and Sarah Ono put a lot of time and effort into making sure that we have a great and successful meeting each month. Their time commitment to the CIVIC VEG has made us very successful.
I believe in being part of the CIVIC VEG as a Veteran because I am offering up a Veteran’s voice to the questions that researchers ask.
