QUERI Program Leadership

The Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) program is located within Health Systems Research in the VA Office of Research & Development. QUERI funds VA investigators across the US to work with key stakeholders, including providers, managers, policymakers, and researchers, to transform care delivered to Veterans. To learn more about our program or partner with us, contact us at vacoqueri@va.gov.

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Melissa Braganza, MPH, QUERI Director

As QUERI Director, Melissa serves as the lead for QUERI strategic planning and program communications and helps support VHA’s implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-based Policymaking Act, ensuring QUERI initiatives align with VA national priorities. From August 2016 – May 2022, Melissa served as QUERI’s Scientific Program Manager, where she led several national initiatives, including the systematic prioritization, scientific review, and reporting of impacts to help fulfill QUERI’s goal of accelerating the implementation of evidence-based practices and policies to improve Veteran health.

Prior to joining the VA, Melissa led health services research at the Health Management Academy, working with leading US health systems to create a knowledge network and peer learning forum to support best practices in healthcare. Melissa received her Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis and completed a two-year Cancer Research Training fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame. She is also a graduate of the Partnership for Public Service’s Excellence in Government Fellows Program.

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Kara Beck, PhD, Deputy QUERI Director

Kara Beck, PhD, is the Deputy Director for the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI). Kara joined QUERI in January 2022 and has been serving as the QUERI Program Manager since October 2022. Kara has led QUERI's scientific merit review process, ensuring the scientific rigor of QUERI-funded projects. She has supported QUERI process improvement and process adaptation for other portfolios, working to ensure that the needs of QUERI investigators are addressed and that research priorities reflect the needs of the VA enterprise and Veterans. Kara has also recruited and mentored Presidential Management Fellows to contribute their time and expertise to special projects within QUERI.

Prior to joining the VA, Kara led communications at the Health Services and Resources Administration Office of Women's Health, developing events and communications products to honor health observances and distribute women's health information. Kara entered Federal service as a Presidential Management Fellow in the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. Kara is also a licensed Clinical Psychologist and regularly engages in clinical work for children, adults, and families. Her previous research focused on practice-based evidence related to prevention and positive youth development. Kara received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University and completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral training at La Frontera Center in Tucson, AZ. In her free time, Kara is an avid reader, enjoys running and swimming, and is constantly working to learn a new craft.

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Stefanie Gidmark, MPH, QUERI Program Specialist

As QUERI Program Specialist, Stefanie supports QUERI and its funded centers on items related to application submission and review, funding, communications, meeting planning, and administrative guidance. Prior to joining QUERI, Stefanie served as a manager of grants at a regional non-profit healthcare system with a focus on provision of community mental health services. In this role, she was responsible for securing funding, leading implementation efforts, and ensuring state and regulatory award compliance. Prior to that position, Stefanie spent over 8 years as a research project manager based out of the Providence VAMC and worked on several HSR&D research projects and operationally funded evaluation efforts related to long term care services and supports. Stefanie received her Master of Public Health degree from Brown University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Colorado College. She completed a summer fellowship at AHRQ within the Evidence-Based Practice Division and is currently a part-time PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Northern Illinois University.