HEROIC’s experienced body of investigators brings a variety of multidisciplinary skills to VA, including (1) chronic disease management (such as diabetes, hypertension, severe mental illnesses); (2) treatment for medical-psychiatric comorbidities; (3) novel intervention development for specific medical and psychiatric conditions (most notably diabetes, stroke, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression); (4) developing technology (like telehealth applications) to promote accessible healthcare; and (5) creating programs that reduce disparities across the full continuum of care.

Leadership

Core Investigators

Affiliate Investigators

Prabhakar Baliga, MD 

Boyd Davis, PhD 

Jyotika Fernandes, MD 

Valerian Fernandes, MD 

Mark Hamner, MD 

Johann Herberth, MD 

Michael Horner, PhD 

Chanita Hughes-Halbert, PhD  

Leslie Lenert, MD 

Cheryl Lynch, MD 

Patrick Mauldin, PhD 

Hugh Myrick, MD 

Paul Nietert, PhD 

Don Rockey, MD 

Andrew Schreiner, MD, MSCR

Gerard Silvestri, MD 

Lisa Sternke, PhD 

Tara Wright, MD 

Cole Zanetti, DO 

Administrative & Support Staff

Katherine Beavis, Ph.D.

Program Support Assistant 

Kinfe Bishu, Ph.D., MSc, BA

Data Analyst 

Tina Cooper, BA

Program Support Assistant 

Holly Gauthier-Wetzel, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, RN-BC

Program Support Assistant 

Scott Goss, MBA

Budget Analyst 

Casey Hall, Ph.D., MAA, BA

Program Support Assistant 

Polly Hamilton, MSN, RN

Program Support Assistant 

 Kayla Lamb, BS

Program Support Assistant 

 Karen Slawson, MA, BA, LPC

Administrative Officer