Department of Defense-VA Partnership Allows Veteran Surgeries at Naval Hospital

Image of Sign that says "VA Ambulatory Surgery Entrance". Naval Hospital Pensacola is hosting Department of Veterans Affairs surgeries by VA clinicians in a new partnership to expand veteran health care in the Gulf Coast.

The Department of Defense Naval Hospital Pensacola is hosting outpatient surgical care provided by clinicians from the Department of Veterans Affairs for approximately 37,000 Gulf Coast-area veterans’ health care system patients under a new partnership.

Beginning the week of Oct. 16, 2023, the partnership gives VA clinical space within the hospital and expands services for both veterans and DOD beneficiaries.

‘A Win-Win’

“We are very pleased to announce this new partnership with the VA,” Dr. Lester Martínez-López, the DOD assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said on Oct. 19. “Not only does it provide increased opportunities to care for those who have sacrificed so much for this country, but it also supports readiness by helping our medical professionals maintain their clinical skills.”

“It is a win-win for all those involved. Plus, we are able to do this without diminishing the quality and access to care for our beneficiaries,” Martínez said.
VA plans to expand surgery access for veterans at Naval Hospital Pensacola in 2024, adding services such as orthopedics; ear, nose, and throat; podiatry; ophthalmology; and, urology.

A second, future, phase will include a joint DOD-VA infrastructure investment to activate a 12-bed medical-surgical inpatient unit that will serve DOD beneficiaries and veterans.

How the Partnership Helps Veterans

Previously, local veterans traveled to the Biloxi VA Medical Center in Mississippi for these surgical procedures or received their care from community providers. Local veterans will not have to change their normal processes to access this new care; instead, VA will schedule their surgical procedures at the new clinic as appropriate.

VA providers will request referrals and consults as they would for other services in the health care system.

“This partnership will help VA provide more care, more quickly, to more Gulf Coast veterans—as close to their homes as possible,” said VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal.

“Establishing partnerships like this is an efficient and cost-effective method for VA to increase veteran access to care, while helping modernize the veteran health care experience,” he said. “We are proud to work with DOD to better service our nation’s heroes.”

The partnership is a key part of VA’ s strategy to modernize its health care system nationwide. Through this work, VA is aggressively working to expand the amount of available space to meet veteran demand for VA health care services and address challenges associated with aging facilities.

For more information on VA health care for Gulf Coast veterans, visit VA Gulf Coast Health Care.

You also may be interested in...

Article
Jan 29, 2024

Allergy/Immunology Fellows from Walter Reed Come Out on Top in FIT Bowl

Army Capts. (Drs.) Andrew Weskamp and Jeremy McMurray, from the National Capital Consortium (NCC) Allergy and Immunology Fellowship program, finished first in the competition among fellows-in-training (FIT) held in Anaheim, California on Nov. 11. The NCC includes graduate medical education (GME) programs at Walter Reed, Uniformed Services University, Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and other military health-care training program in the region.

The FIT Bowl is one the most anticipated events every year during the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. During the most recent bowl, which celebrated its 32nd anniversary, fellows from Walter Reed walked away with the first-place trophy in the fast-paced, fun “College Bowl” style game contested before a live ...

Article
Jan 9, 2024

Naval Medical Center San Diego Director, Nurse Share Unique Connection

U.S. Navy Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, left, Naval Medical Center San Diego director, poses with U.S. Navy Ens. Sarah Martin, a nurse at NMCSD. Adriano delivered Martin at NMCSD in 1999. (Photo by Marcelo Calero/Naval Medical Center San Diego)

In 1999, U.S. Navy Lts. Brett and Kathy Stevens were U.S. Navy Supply Officers stationed in San Diego when they received news that they would be welcoming their second child in the winter. Their daughter—who is now a nurse at Naval Medical Center San Diego—was delivered by then-U.S. Navy Lt. Elizabeth Adriano, now the director of the hospital.

Article
Jan 8, 2024

The Art of Healing: Creating A Safe Space for Pediatric Cancer Patients

Sara Cantrell, a pediatric art therapist with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s pediatric hematology oncology clinic, stands in front of the art cabinet. (Photo by James Black/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

Like most aspiring artists, Sara Cantrell envisioned creating paintings, drawings, and sculptures that provoked curiosity and conversations. Seeking to make a career of her artistic talent—and leaning towards a career as an academic—she earned a bachelor’s in fine art from Anderson University and a master’s in art therapy from George Washington ...

Refine your search