The mission of the Palo Alto Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (PAIRE) is to facilitate research and education activities conducted at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The range of research activities is broad and includes special emphasis on biomedical, health services, rehabilitation engineering, mental health and geriatric research endeavors. We also support various educational instruction or other learning experiences of benefit to employees and veterans.

Title 38 USC §7361-7368 authorizes VA medical centers to establish nonprofit research and education corporations to accept and administer private and non-VA federal funds in support of VA's research and education missions. The congressional intent in enabling these corporations is to provide VA facilities with a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of research as well as staff and patient education.

Congress delegated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to oversee the operations of the nonprofit corporations affiliated with VA medical centers. This guidance can be found in Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1200.17.

PAIRE was incorporated in the State of California on November 30, 1988 and is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation. PAIRE may exercise all rights and powers conferred on nonprofit public benefit corporations under the laws of the state of California. As provided in the authorizing statute, all funds expended by PAIRE must directly or indirectly support research or educational activities.

An eight member Board of Directors governs PAIRE. Of these members, six are congressionally mandated positions. Four are Board members by virtue of their VAPAHCS positions, including the Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research and Development, and ACOS for Education. Legislation also requires that the Board have two members who are not officers or employees of the federal government and who are familiar with issues involving research or education and training as appropriate for the activities of PAIRE.

The Board of Directors has appointed an Executive Director to develop and implement policy and manage the operations of PAIRE.

There are three corporate officers including a Chair of the Board of Directors, a Secretary/Treasurer, and an Executive Director.


Last Modified September 16, 2008
Top of page