About The Naval Blood Research Laboratory
History and Accomplishments

The Naval Blood Research Laboratory (NBRL), under the direction of C. Robert Valeri, M.D. (Capt, MC, USNRet) was originally an in-house Navy laboratory located at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA. Dr. Valeri began his direction of the NBRL in 1965. Over the years, the NBRL has had many supporters allowing it to become the world-renowned expert facility in blood preservation that it is today.

 

During the early and mid 1960's, Mr. Richard Goodwin, then a speechwriter for President John F. Kennedy, was a strong supporter of the laboratory. Mr. Goodwin's and President Kennedy's support during these early years, at a time when the US was involved in the Vietnam conflict, allowed the NBRL to concentrate its emphasis on blood products for use in and care of wounded servicemen.

 

The Chelsea Naval Hospital was closed in 1972 and disestablished in 1974. The NBRL moved into the Talbot building located at Boston University Medical Center. The NBRL remained an in-house Navy laboratory until it was disestablished in 1979.

 

At that time, the laboratory became a department within the Boston University School of Medicine (BUMC). From 1974 until 12/31/04, the NBRL was a department within Boston University Medical Center. As of 1/1/05, the NBRL was forced to leave BUMC as the building housing the laboratory was needed by BUMC. The NBRL expects to begin leasing laboratory and administrative space at the Jamaica Plain division of the Boston VA Healthcare System beginning July 1, 2005 .

© 2003 Naval Blood Research Laboratory
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