About us
The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System provides the full spectrum of services to 49,000 Veterans residing in a 23 county area of Western North Carolina.
About Western North Carolina VA Health Care System
Our facility has proudly received the 2024 Best Overall Experience award, recognizing excellence in both patient and employee experiences at the National VA Customer Experience (CX) Symposium. For the second year in a row, the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System has been honored with a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, awarded in 2023.
Additionally, we received the 2023 VA Excellence in Patient Experience - Overall Best Experience Award, which showcases our commitment to outstanding customer service; we previously won this award in 2018. Our organization has also been ranked #1 for Best Place to Work based on the 2023 All Employee Survey results, improving from #3 in 2022, #2 in 2021, and achieving #1 rankings in 2020, 2019, and 2018. Furthermore, the Charles George VA Medical Center's Community Living Center has maintained a CLC Compare (CMS Benchmarking) 5-star rating for 15 consecutive quarters.
Health care and services
We provide you with health care services at 4 locations in a 23-county area of western North Carolina: the Charles George VA Medical Center and 3 community-based outpatient clinics in Franklin, Hickory, and Forest City. To learn more about the services visit the health services page.
The Western North Carolina VA Healthcare System is an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 (VISN 6). VISN 6 includes medical centers in Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville, and Salisbury in North Carolina; and Hampton, Richmond, and Salem in Virginia; and 38 outpatient clinics in North Carolina and Virginia.
Research and development
We conduct research to discover knowledge, develop VA scientists and health care leaders, and create innovations that advance health care for Veterans and the nation. Our goal is to use research to promote better health and health care for all.
Major research areas include:
- Infectious disease
- Cardiology
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Traumatic brain injury/post-traumatic stress disorder
- Hematology
- Surgery
- Oncology and pulmonology
- Pharmacy disease state management
Teaching and learning
The Charles George VA Medical Center has more than 50 academic affiliations that allow fellows, residents, interns, and students to train each year.
Our leadership also sits on medical advisory boards, like:
- Blue Ridge Veterans Community Partnership
- Western North Carolina Healthcare Network
Accreditation
The Charles George VA Medical Center is accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs for its Human Subjects Protection Program. It was among the first research organizations to have its human research accredited.
Community Care Resources
Veterans shared that navigating transportation assistance, community care billing, emergency care, adaptive equipment, and prescription services can be confusing. This resource brings those answers together in one place, making it easier for Veterans and families to find the help they need.
Guardians Magazine
Read Guardians Magazine today and discover resources, support, and real stories that can make a difference in your life and the lives of those you served with.