VA Quality Scholars

The VA Quality Scholars program trains leaders and scholars in healthcare improvement for the VA and leads change nationally and internationally.

The VA Quality Scholars program consists of eleven sites across the United States, as well as an affiliate site in Toronto, Canada. Each site in the US consists of a partnership between a VA hospital and an academic institution. It has an interprofessional emphasis with physicians, doctoral-trained nurses, clinical psychologists and pharmacists as fellows and faculty.

The Coordinating Center is excited to announce the VAQS program expansion following the recent program renewal! The competitively selected new sites include: Charleston, Durham, and Minneapolis. The VAQS program now reaches 11 sites nationally (existing sites include: Atlanta, Birmingham, Cleveland, Greater Los Angeles, Iowa City, Nashville, San Francisco and White River Junction).

The VAQS program is supported by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations and includes the Houston Coordinating Center, national program sites, and partnerships with the VA Rural Scholars program and the Toronto Quality Scholars program.

Fellows and Alumni

Interdisciplinary Fellowships

Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists & Psychologists

Network of hundreds of graduates

30% alumni in federal leadership
40% alumni in academic positions
Two-thirds in VA, take leadership positions
Alumni network: CEO’s, CMO’s & more

Nationally recognized research funding

Sites

Atlanta

Our SitesOur program site is fortunate to have Magnet recognition at both the Atlanta VA Medical Center and its primary affiliate, Emory University. We are recognized for the strength of collaboration with regional partners – Emory University, Georgia Institute of...

Birmingham

Our SitesOur program site is known for interprofessional training, quality and safety education, health services research, surgical outcomes, and inpatient quality care (nurse-led interventions and others). Our site includes fellows from nursing (pre/post PhD and DNP...

Charleston

Our SitesThe Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (RHJVAMC) is a SAIL 5-star rated, level 1A VA healthcare system. Our facility has won 4 separate “Zero Harm” Awards in 2017 from the South Carolina Hospital Association and has developed award-winning multidisciplinary...

Cleveland

Our SitesOur program site is known for strong interdisciplinary teams and information technology. Faculty at our VAQS site are sought after for experience in Quality Improvement (QI), education experts in QI, Implementation science – de-implementation,...

Durham

Our SitesOur program site benefits from the robust and innovative clinical, training,and research programs offered at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVACHS). DVAHCS cares for 70,000 Veterans in central-eastern North Carolina region, and serves as a rich training...

Greater Los Angeles

Our SitesThe VA Greater Los Angeles Quality Scholars site is not currently accepting applications. Thank you for your interest! Faculty at our VAQS site are sought after for expertise in implementation science, program evaluation, primary care, mental health, women’s...

Iowa City

Our SitesOur program site is known for a robust research infrastructure to support fellows in their scholarly endeavors whether they follow traditional health-services careers or healthcare delivery and QI. Faculty at our VAQS site are sought after for their expertise...

Minneapolis

Our SitesAs a five-star facility, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) has established a system of quality improvement and patient safety (PS) that has served as a catalyst for our leadership in improving Veteran health. Our approach is to provide...

Nashville

Our SitesOur program is known for its robust research and quality improvement programs and close collaborations with Vanderbilt University and its vast array of resources. We leverage resources within our VA, across the VA nationally, and those available through our...

San Francisco

Our SitesOur program site is known for training in study methodology, including very active and educational weekly Works-in-Progress session. Implementation science certificate program, affiliation with UCSF School of Medicine and UCSF School of Nursing, including...

Toronto

Our SitesOur program site is known for national and international organizational involvement. Faculty at our VAQS site are sought after for research, productivity and mentorship. Fellows come to our VAQS site to gain an expertise in academic quality improvement and...

White River Junction

Our SitesThe VA White River Junction Quality Scholars site is not currently accepting applications. Thank you for your interest!The VAQS fellowship program at the WRJ VA Medical Center (WRJ VAMC) is an interprofessional fellowship program offering opportunities for...

Summer Institute

Summer Institute is the culmination of VA Quality Scholars year-long works and the international collaborative that springs forth initiatives for future endeavors. Scholars, Faculty, and Fellows enjoy a week-long conference featuring world-renowned guest speakers, innovation, and scholarly activity.