VA’s academic affiliations improve care

Whether you receive care in VA or not, there is a good chance that your healthcare provider received at least some of their clinical training in the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA is celebrating the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of partnerships between VA and the nation’s medical schools to train clinicians in the care of Veterans.  This educational partnership remains one of VA’s main missions. Today, VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations continues to maintain and expand our close relationships with institutions of higher learning to provide advanced clinical training in physician education, nursing, dentistry, psychology, social work, optometry, dietetics and nearly 40 other health care professions. Did you know?

• More than 120,000 clinical trainees receive training in VA each year.
• Advanced students in all healthcare professions should consider having their training experiences in VA.
• VA leads clinical care, research and medical advancement in many areas, and our clinical training opportunities are the best.
• Current VA trainees receive first consideration for employment openings.  So, train in VA now and consider us for your health-care career later.

VA’s academic affiliations strengthen VA’s healthcare systems, provide training for the nation’s healthcare workforce, and prepare many for healthcare careers in VA. Two distinguished doctors, academicians and leaders of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) affirmed that the relationships are strong and growing all the time. “It’s a classic win, win, win for all parties,” said Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the AAMC.

“I can tell you that this is an incredibly important relationship,” said Dr. John Prescott, the chief academic officer for the AAMC. “It’s important to me as a Veteran. It’s important to me as a physician. It’s important to me as an American. I think that we need to do everything possible to make sure that this relationship stays strong.”

Kenneth R. Jones, Ph.D. directs the Associated Health Education section at the Office of Academic Affiliations, overseeing VA’s national clinical training programs for psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, optometrists, and many other allied health professionals.