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Office of Academic Affiliations

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A spotlight on success: South Texas VA’s LPMHC internship program

A spotlight on success

With San Antonio being one of the fastest growing areas of the country for Veterans, the need for mental health care for Veterans there is...

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Dr. Jennifer Thompson announced as the 2024 DEO of the Year recipient

2024 DEO of the Year announced

Dr. Jennifer Thompson, received the Karen M. Sanders, MD, Designated Education Officer (DEO) of the Year Award.

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VA Valley Coastal Bend hires 3 former HPTs

VA VCB hires 3 former HPTs

Three residents at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System were recently hired to serve as full-time primary care providers...

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To Educate for VA and the Nation

As one of four statutory missions, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educates and trains health professionals to enhance the quality of and timely access to care provided to Veterans within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare system. To achieve this mission, "To educate for VA and the Nation", the VA has conducted health professions education and training in partnership with affiliated U.S. academic institutions for the past 78 years in accordance with the landmark 1946 Policy Memorandum No. 2.

Title 38 U.S.C. Section 7302 mandates that VA assist in carrying out a “program of education and training of health personnel” for its own needs and those of the nation. Overseen by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), this mandate spurred the significant growth in the depth and breadth of health professions education in the VA, which is now the largest provider of health professions education and training and second largest funder of graduate medical education in the United States.   

Training Programs

VA's teaching mission and clinical learning environment prepare the next generation of health professionals. The following programs are available to help future health professionals enhance skills, prepare for leadership positions, and better understand health policy. For more information on how to establish an academic affiliation with VA, click here.

Medical and Dental Education

VA's physician education program is conducted in collaboration with 151 allopathic medical schools and 35 osteopathic medical schools.

Nursing Education

VA partners with the country's finest nursing schools to provide compassionate, highly educated nurses to look after the health care needs of our Nation's Veterans.

Associated Health Education

Through affiliations with individual health professions schools and colleges, clinical traineeships, and fellowships are provided to students in more than 60 health professions.

Advanced Fellowships & Professional Development

The VA Advanced Fellowships & Professional Development Program offers post-residency fellowships to physicians and dentists in emerging health professions of particular importance to VA and the Nation.

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