{"id":115946,"date":"2025-03-11T09:16:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T13:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/?p=115946"},"modified":"2025-03-25T15:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:44:19","slug":"061-matz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/061-matz\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Philip Matz: A Pioneer in VA Medical Research"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image115946_acd152-c1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115946_acd152-c1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:250px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_acd152-c1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_acd152-c1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115946_acd152-c1 figure{max-width:250px;}.kb-image115946_acd152-c1 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115946_acd152-c1 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115946_acd152-c1 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115946_acd152-c1\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Matz.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"272\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Matz.png?w=272\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Matz.png?w=272\" alt=\"Dr. Philip Matz\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115947\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27272%27%20height%3D%27377%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20272%20377%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27272%27%20height%3D%27377%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Matz.png?resize=216,300 216w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Matz.png 272w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Dr. Philip Matz served as the first director of research at VA from 1925-1938. His leadership kickstarted Veteran specific studies on a wide range of issues. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">World War I brought about new types of injuries caused by modern, mechanized warfare, such as those from machine guns, poison gas and heavy artillery. At the same time, it acted as a driving force for advancements in medical practices, public health and the professionalization of research methodologies. Following the war, with a dramatic <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/076-presumptive-conditions\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"115038\">increase <\/a>in the number of Veterans\u2014roughly 150,000 more than before\u2014there was a growing recognition of the need for medical research to improve care for these individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1923 President Warren G. Harding and the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/veterans-bureau\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104069\">Veterans Bureau<\/a>\u2019s first administrator, Charles Forbes, created a medical council to survey the state of Veteran care and propose a modern hospital network. The following year, the council made key recommendations, including the creation of a research program, the appointment of a director of research, and the publication of a <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-22-medical-bulletin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104433\">medical bulletin<\/a>. The council emphasized the need for statistical studies, standardized procedures, and clinical research focused on conditions affecting Veterans. The idea of integrating research approaches into Veteran hospital systems was adapted from practices already in place at <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/topics\/u-s-public-health-service\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"90\">U.S. Public Health Service<\/a> Hospitals, 50 of which the Bureau <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/64-public-health-service\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"114138\">absorbed <\/a>into its new hospital network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To lead this major research expansion, the Bureau looked to Dr. Philip Matz, who was appointed as director of research in September 1925. Matz, a Baltimore-born pathologist, graduated from the Long Island College of Medicine in 1908. He began his career as a laboratory chief at the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/lincoln-grant-stain-glass\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104185\">Leavenworth <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/eastern-kansas-health-care\/locations\/dwight-d-eisenhower-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Branch <\/a>of the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/topics\/national-home-for-disabled-volunteer-soldiers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23\">National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers<\/a>. During World War I, he served as chief of the laboratory service at the Camp Travis, Texas, base hospital. After the war, he continued his laboratory work with the Public Health Service.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115946_7a3724-98.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115946_7a3724-98 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:250px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_7a3724-98.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_7a3724-98 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115946_7a3724-98 figure{max-width:250px;}.kb-image115946_7a3724-98 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115946_7a3724-98 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115946_7a3724-98 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115946_7a3724-98\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"442\" height=\"741\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp?w=442\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp?w=442\" alt=\"Title page of inaugural Veterans' Bureau bulletin.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115948\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27442%27%20height%3D%27741%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20442%20741%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27442%27%20height%3D%27741%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp?resize=179,300 179w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp?resize=358,600 358w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-Bulletin.webp 442w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Title page of the inaugural issue of The United States Veterans\u2019 Bureau Medical Bulletin, published in July 1925. (Google Books)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his new role at the Veterans Bureau, Matz directed clinical research in hospitals and outpatient facilities, ensuring that studies directly contributed to improving Veteran treatment. Matz also oversaw the creation of three laboratory research centers at hospitals in Palo Alto, California; Washington, D.C.; and Maywood, Illinois, in early 1926.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also played a crucial role in publishing the <em>Medical Bulletin<\/em>, a monthly medical journal featuring articles from Bureau physicians and staff designed to share case studies, promising treatments and other reports based on their extensive experience with patients in Veterans\u2019 hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond his administrative duties, Matz conducted research himself. In 1926, he analyzed cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, cancer, and neuropsychiatric conditions among Veterans, comparing their rates to civilian populations. His work contributed to landmark publications, including a <em>New England Journal of Medicine<\/em> study on cardiovascular disease incidence in Veterans and a 1938 <em>Journal of the American Medical Association<\/em> report revealing that 50 percent of Veterans suffered from neuropsychiatric disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:350px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a figure{max-width:350px;}.kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a .image-is-svg, .kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115946_e4a5a9-5a\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-GIs-gas.webp\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-GIs-gas.webp?w=600\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-GIs-gas.webp?w=600\" alt=\"World War I soldiers with gas masks.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115949\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27600%27%20height%3D%27375%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20600%20375%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27600%27%20height%3D%27375%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-GIs-gas.webp?resize=300,188 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/02\/061-GIs-gas.webp 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Matz partnered with Army Dr. H.L. Gilchrist on a landmark study on the impacts of poison gas. (Department of Defense)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In perhaps his most widely known study, Matz collaborated with Dr. H.L. Gilchrist, medical director of the Army\u2019s Chemical Warfare Service, to study Veterans exposed to poison gas during World War I. Their research identified chronic bronchitis with asthma-like symptoms as a common aftereffect but found no increased risk of tuberculosis among those exposed, contrary to what some physicians perceived at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Underscoring his work, Dr. Matz believed that Veteran medical research should have a direct impact on patient care. In 1926, he articulated his vision: \u201cIt must be clearly understood at the outset that research work in our service must show that upon consummation it will result in the betterment of the treatment of the beneficiary. It is not within the province of the Veterans\u2019 Bureau to carry on research work of a purely academic character; there are other governmental agencies for this line of endeavor. Ours must be research based on practicability. Our research work must eventually result in larger percentages of recoveries and reduced mortality rates of the beneficiaries of the United States Veterans\u2019 Bureau.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn1\" id=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matz passed away suddenly at the age of 53 while on a nationwide tour of <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/topics\/veterans-administration\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"28\">Veteran Administration<\/a> hospitals in 1938. The void left by his death coupled with the onset of World War II resulted in no new major Veteran research initiatives until the 1950s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Philip Matz\u2019s pioneering work laid the groundwork for the modern VA research program. His emphasis on data-driven, patient-focused studies set a standard that continues to shape Veteran healthcare research today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Annual Report of the Director, United States Veterans\u2019 Bureau for the Fiscal Year Ended 1926.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hayes, Marguerite. <em>A Historical Look at the Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development Program<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matz, Philip, and H.L. Gilchrist. <em>The Residual Effects of Warfare Gases<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1933.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rories, Katie and Jeff Seiken. \u201cObject 22: United States Veterans\u2019 Bureau Medical Bulletin.\u201d February 4, 2025. https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-22-medical-bulletin\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Footnotes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" id=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a>Marguerite Hayes, A Historical Look at the Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development Program (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2010), 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After World War I and the establishment of the Veterans Bureau, one of the key focuses was developing a research program. <\/p>\n<p>The intent was to have the necessary statistical studies and research information to help the Bureau treat Veterans not just from World War I but all future conflicts. <\/p>\n<p>The man chosen to lead this task was Dr. Philip Matz, and his work was groundbreaking in the future of Veteran healthcare.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[19,138,90,30,24,32],"class_list":["post-115946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-stories","tag-research","tag-u-s-presidents","tag-u-s-public-health-service","tag-innovation","tag-veterans-bureau","tag-world-war-i"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/061-matz\/","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Dr. Philip Matz: A Pioneer in VA Medical Research","url":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/061-matz\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/061-matz\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/03\/061-Feature.png?w=300","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/03\/061-Feature.png"},"articleSection":"Featured Stories","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"}],"creator":["Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"VA History","logo":""},"keywords":["research","u.s. presidents","u.s. public health service","va research at 100","veterans bureau","world war i"],"dateCreated":"2025-03-11T13:16:00Z","datePublished":"2025-03-11T13:16:00Z","dateModified":"2025-03-25T19:44:19Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Dr. Philip Matz: A Pioneer in VA Medical Research\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/061-matz\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/061-matz\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/061-Feature.png?w=300\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/history\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/10\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/061-Feature.png\"},\"articleSection\":\"Featured Stories\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)\"}],\"creator\":[\"Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"VA History\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"research\",\"u.s. presidents\",\"u.s. public health service\",\"va research at 100\",\"veterans bureau\",\"world war i\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-03-11T13:16:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-11T13:16:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-25T19:44:19Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/department.va.gov\/p.js"},"meta_box":{"external_links":"0","endorsement":"0","subheading":"","featured_image_alt_text":"Dr. Philip Matz","byline":"Katie Rories","author_title":"Historian, Veterans Health Administration","external_source":"","external_source_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115946"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116619,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115946\/revisions\/116619"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/115978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}