Office of Academic Affiliations

Our History

VA's medical education program began in the post-war years of World War II. The authority for establishing VA's affiliations derives from Memorandum Number 2, a historic document that was signed January 30, 1946. By forming affiliations with medical schools and universities, VA has become the largest provider of healthcare training in the United States.

Today's Graduate Medical Education Program

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) conducts education and training programs to enhance the quality of care provided to Veterans within the VA health care system. Building on the long-standing, close relationships among VA and the Nation’s academic institutions, VA plays a leadership role in defining the education of future health care professionals that helps meet the changing needs of the Nation’s health care delivery system. Title 38 U.S.C. mandates that VA assist in the training of health professionals for its own needs and those of the Nation. Through its partnerships with affiliated academic institutions, VA conducts the largest education and training effort for health professionals in the Nation.

In Academic Year 2017, 43,565 medical residents, 24,683 medical students, 463 Advanced Fellows, and 849 dental residents and dental students received some or all of their clinical training in VA. Of its 152 VA medical centers and 6 independent outpatient clinics (IOC's), 124 hospitals and 3 IOC's have affiliation agreements with 135 of 141 allopathic Accredited Medical Schools and 35 of 40 osteopathic medical schools for physician education.  Many trainees have their health profession degrees and contribute substantially to VA’s ability to deliver cost-effective and high-quality patient care during their advanced clinical training at VA.

Faculty

VA physician faculty members have joint appointments at the university and at VA, seeing patients at VA, supervising students and residents, and conducting research. VA's affiliations and the educational environment contribute to VA's patient care mission by enabling the delivery of high quality patient care to the veterans and beneficiaries that VA serves.

Sponsorship

Most (about 99%) of VA's graduate medical education (GME) programs are sponsored in the name of an affiliate - generally a medical school or teaching hospital. About one-third of VA's dental residency training programs are sponsored by the VA and 80% of these are in general practice dentistry. The other two-thirds are sponsored by dental or medical schools, universities or teaching hospitals.

Accreditation & Funding

All VA residency training programs must be fully accredited by the appropriate accrediting body and residents must be enrolled in the accredited program to be eligible for VA funding. In some situations, Chief Residents may also be funded as post-residency positions.