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    Helping Our Nation's Veterans

    Medical schools and teaching hospitals have partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for over 75 years, dating back to the end of World War II. The VA is an essential part of physician training in the U.S. and the partnership between academic medicine and the VA has helped shape the way doctors are trained in this country. Approximately 70% of all U.S. physicians complete at least part of their training in VA facilities.

    Through the missions of medical education, research, and clinical care, the AAMC and America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals will continue to build on this important partnership to ensure veterans receive the health care they deserve.

    75th Anniversary of Academic Affiliations

    2021 marked the 75th anniversary of the affiliation between the nation’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and the VA. What started as a simple idea in a time of great need has developed into an unprecedented private-public partnership grounded in our shared missions of education, health care, and research.

    Many physicians have trained at the VA, including AAMC President David Skorton, MD. Watch this short video to hear more about his personal story.

    The VA and Academic Medicine: Partners in Health Care, Training, and Research

    America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and the VA collaborate in many ways, including training physicians, conducting medical research, and caring for VA patients.

    Learn more about this historic partnership

    The Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA)

    FOVA was founded over 30 years ago to ensure that America’s veterans receive high-quality health care. Today, FOVA is a diverse coalition representing national academic, medical, and scientific societies; voluntary health and patient advocacy groups; and veteran-focused associations.

    Among its many activities, FOVA members regularly brief members of Congress on the funding needs of VA’s Medical and Prosthetic Research program, raise awareness of VA’s veteran-centric research initiatives, and host special events that highlight VA’s cutting-edge research successes.

    Read more about FOVA

    Below are some of FOVA’s most recent activities:

    AAMC Testifies at House VA Committee Hearing on Academic Affiliations

    On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, AAMC Chief Health Care Officer Janis Orlowski, MD, MACP, testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs at a hearing titled “VA and Academic Affiliations: Who Benefits?” Dr. Orlowski’s testimony focused on the value of VA graduate medical education, research, joint ventures, sole-source contracting, and aspects of the proposed Veterans Choice Program to access and quality of care for veterans, both inside and outside the VA system.