Office of Academic Affiliations

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 75 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.