With the theme, Responding to Change: The Business of Research, the Vice Presidents for Research had an engaging meeting focusing on health reform's impact on research, new perspectives on financing the indirect costs of research, and strategies for enhancing faculty productivity.  In addition to these topics, speakers included Carolyn Clancy, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and lead policy experts John Needham and Penny Augustine from the GAO, who addressed new policy recommendations regarding the reimbursement of the indirect costs of research.  All vice presidents for research were encouraged to join their peers, share experiences, and hear from government leaders on these critical issues in the academic health research enterprise.   

Of Special Note:  The AAHC held a collaborative meeting with the University of Maastricht and the Dutch Embassy in conjunction with this meeting.   Attendees were invited as embassy guests to learn about “The Dutch Public Health Model and Perspectives for International Collaboration.”  This was a truly unique opportunity to hear from the Dutch Ambassador and to gain an inside perspective on the outlook for research and collaboration with European universities and government.   This special session followed the conclusion of the VPs meeting (December 8-9) and was complimentary; there was no additional fee to attend.