VA and University of Delaware Announce Affiliation Agreement

WILMINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce an academic affiliation agreement between its VA medical center in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Delaware. The agreement, signed June 9, is designed to improve the health care and wellbeing of veterans throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey. The two institutions established the partnership to enhance clinical services through increased use of research, use of evidence-based practices, and the education of future providers.
The academic affiliation with the University’s physical therapy program means faculty and students can practice and train at VA and at the University’s STAR campus. Education and training of the nation’s health care professions is one of VA’s core missions.
“Wilmington already has an active partnership with the University’s School of Nursing and we’re eager to partner with other schools at the University to help expand the care we provide veterans. This unique relationship with the Department of Physical Therapy provides a new opportunity for us to participate in research studies that ultimately will improve the health of veterans now and in the future,” said Vince Kane, director of the Wilmington VA Medical Center. “It really is a win-win for VA, veterans, and the University.”
“The University of Delaware is proud to establish this research and education partnership with the VA medical center in Wilmington,” said University President Dennis Assanis. “Working with VA, we will advance innovative medical research, improve patient care and prepare the next generation of health experts to care for our veterans.”
The agreement further enhances the partnership between VA and the University by putting processes in place to enhance veteran health care.
“As U.S. Senator, few duties are more sacred to me than caring for our veterans,” said Senator Tom Carper. “This collaboration between the University of Delaware and the Wilmington VA Medical Center makes good sense – veterans will get the rehabilitation they need while students get a foot in the door at VA, and ultimately help fill our growing need for health care practitioners in our region. That’s a win for everyone.”
The University-VA affiliation is a unique partnership that promises to add exceptional value to both institutions’ missions.
“As VA continues to expand clinical services at the medical center and at the outpatient clinics, the agreement will act as a springboard for more extensive and diverse research and clinical collaboration,” said Kane. “Strategic partnerships with world class institutions like the University of Delaware are vital to accomplishing our mission to Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. This partnership with the nation’s top-ranked physical therapy department significantly advances the quality of rehabilitation services we provide veterans while helping to train future physical therapists from the University of Delaware that we hope will ultimately choose VA for their career.”
The Wilmington VAMC provides health care to more than 30,000 veterans throughout the Delaware and southern New Jersey communities. For more information about VA health care services, visit www.wilmington.va.gov.