Academic Medical Centers and the US Department of Veterans Affairs: A 75-Year Partnership Influences Medical Education, Scientific Discovery, and Clinical Care

The historic academic affiliation program between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and academic medical centers recently marked its 75th anniversary. The partnership has dramatically influenced medical education, research, and clinical care in the United States. In commemorating the anniversary, this article highlights areas in medicine that the partnership has influenced. The authors provide examples from their own experiences of particularly effective collaborations and describe some of the limitations they have encountered. Looking toward the future, they highlight other areas in which collaboration may be particularly effective.