ELEVATING MEDICAL EDUCATION

At RIVR, we are passionate about training future healthcare leaders. We strive to recruit talented health professional trainees (HPTs) including students, fellows, researchers, physicians, nurses, and coordinators to deliver compassionate patient care and pioneering research. Our employees continue their education and professional development, ensuring RIVR is on the frontlines of new ideas and innovations.

The Richmond VAMC participates in at least 40 different medical training programs from anesthesiology to vascular surgery with our affiliate, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS). Nearly 600 VCUHS trainees and 200 medical students rotate through these specialties at Richmond VAMC every year.

Also, there are almost as many associated health education (AHE) disciplines at Richmond VAMC, training 300 plus AHE HPTs—from multiple affiliated training programs such as assistive technology to speech and language pathology, from nursing to psychology—in certificate programs, undergraduate and graduate internships, residencies, and postdoctoral fellowships.

Richmond VAMC also hosts its own VA-based, fully accredited terminal residency and fellowship programs, including chaplaincy, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, and psychology residencies, with more disciplines to be added in the coming year.  Finally, many students participate as research assistants during the summer months. 

Finally, the Simulation laboratory (IDEAS Center for Innovation) has developed ties with the national simulation and learning program (SLICE) as well as VCU to expand the boundaries of traditional medical simulation and venture in the pre-deployment testing of technology and applications using 5G secure technology.  The Richmond VAMC has established pathways to improve outcomes for Veterans through standardized high-fidelity simulation-based education and training of the VA facility health care professionals and trainees by promoting best practices and supporting organized interactions and collaboration among facilities and healthcare providers. Several research initiatives in healthcare simulation and outcome evaluations are currently underway and national societies like the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation are reaching out to us for further disseminating our achievements.

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