A Beautiful Partnership: Rich for Medical Training and Practice

In November 2021, Veteran Affairs Central Western Massachusetts (VACWM) Healthcare System held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new 48,000 sq. ft., community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) located on the UMass Chan Medical School campus. The clinic provides veterans with access to primary and specialty health care in a new space designed for patient-aligned care teams. The clinic is able to provide care to the 16,800 enrolled veterans in Worcester County.

The close proximity of the VA CBOC to UMass Chan has greatly expanded the educational partnerships between these institutions. At present, VACWM trains UMass Chan residents and fellows in internal medicine, psychiatry, rheumatology, forensic psychiatry, and nurse practitioner programs with additional training programs planned for the future in neurology, neurology/ psychiatry, and geriatrics. The internal medicine program has grown significantly over the past five years, tripling the number of residents from UMass Chan who train at VACWM and expanding into the primary care track. Across the country, the VA plays a significant role in educating and training future healthcare professionals. The VA has formal partnerships with over 1,800 educational institutions, including medical schools and universities. These partnerships allow medical students, residents, and fellows to train at

VA medical centers, gaining hands-on experience in a diverse clinical environment. The VA operates as one of the largest training grounds for healthcare providers in the U.S., with more than 70% of U.S. doctors receiving at least part of their medical training at a VA facility. The VA also provides medical students and residents opportunities to engage in research, with some of the world’s most advanced medical studies conducted at VA facilities. The VA provides funding for residency programs, contributing to the education of over 45,000 medical residents and fellows each year. This funding helps support salaries and benefits for medical trainees while reducing the cost burden on affiliated academic institutions. The VA fosters a patient-centered care model that exposes trainees to a comprehensive healthcare system focused on both acute and long-term care, providing valuable experience with chronic diseases, mental health, and geriatric care. By integrating clinical training with patient care at VA hospitals, VA ensures that new physicians not only receive excellent medical education but also gain a deep understanding of the healthcare needs of veterans and underserved populations.

According to the Chief of VA Specialty Care, Dr. Nicole Kirchen, “The VA provides medical students the opportunity to learn about health care needs specific to veterans through

lectures in the first year, a month-long elective focusing on military and veteran health, longitudinal clinical experiences, and two-week clinical rotations at the outpatient VA clinics. Through lectures, working in different clinics, and meeting with providers from specialties such as mental health, primary care, specialty care, and whole health, students can experience how comprehensive medical care is provided by a fully integrated national health care system.”

In recent years, the VACWM has also trained medical students from UMass Chan. In 2023, the VA welcomed its first medical students from UMass Chan who rotated with providers across a variety of clinics and specialties. Last year, VACWM hosted all second-year medical students from UMass Chan for a two-day walkthrough which allowed students to meet with and interview veterans and VA providers, tour the new CBOC, and learn more about VA healthcare.

In addition to training focused on medical residents and fellows, VACWM recently launched a summer research training program focused on women veterans’ health for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. The VACWM Summer Research Program (SRP) trains 6 to 8 students from diverse backgrounds on all aspects of VA women’s health research, including qualitative and quantitative methodology as well as VA programs and policies related to women’s health. In addition to VA training, the students interact with UMass Chan faculty members to learn more about specialties from the UMass Chan Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas, and the UMass Chan Chair of Pediatrics, Dr. Larry Rhein. Students also have the opportunity to meet with Dean and Provost Dr. Terry Flotte to learn about UMass Chan Medical School. Over the three-year course of the SRP, the VA has trained 12 students from UMass Chan, Clark University, UMass Amherst, Mount Holyoke, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Smith. In 2024, VACWM received new funding to extend this training program for an additional five years with a new round of 6 to 8 students slated to train at the VA each summer.

Many medical residents and fellows who train in the VA ultimately decide to become VA physicians as part of their career path. The VA is one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., providing stable, long-term employment in an often uncertain job market. Working for the VA often comes with strong job security, even during economic downturns. VA physicians receive competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term care coverage. Additionally, the VA offers comprehensive retirement plans, including a pension after a certain number of years of service, along with access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). VA physicians may also be eligible for student loan repayment programs such as the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which can provide significant assistance with repaying medical school debt. Finally, VA physicians treat veterans from all walks of life, with a wide variety of healthcare needs, ranging from acute injuries to chronic conditions and mental health issues like PTSD. This diversity offers physicians the opportunity to develop a broad range of clinical skills and build meaningful relationships with patients who have served the country.

Kristin M. Mattocks, PhDAssociate Chief of Staff/Research and Education VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Associate Dean of Veterans Affairs/Professor of Population and Quantitative Health Science, UMass Chan Medical SchoolEmail: Kristin.mattocks@va.gov

Jose Casares, MADirector of Graduate Medical Education, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System