Recognizing 79 Years of VA Health Care Innovation

It drives us to explore new frontiers in health care, discover groundbreaking treatments, and enhance the quality of life for those who have served our nation.

From telehealth advancements that bring care closer to home, to breakthrough research that addresses complex medical challenges, every innovation we deliver to Veterans is a testament to our commitment to service and excellence.

For almost 80 years, VHA has advanced research, developed tools, and implemented programs that meet Veterans where they are, no matter their health care needs.

Here are notable historic contributions VHA has made in the medical field over the last eight decades:

• 2023: Enrolled the one millionth Veteran in VA’s Million Veteran Program, one of the largest research programs in the world studying genes and health
• 2022: Launched Mission Daybreak, a $20 million grand challenge to advance suicide prevention innovations
• 2020: Created the National Women’s Oncology System of Excellence to provide women Veteran oncology patients with cutting edge care and access to clinical trials
• 2015: Invented a wheelchair that allows users to move in a standing position, providing those who use wheelchairs with increased functionality and independence
• 2010: Collaborated with the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health on publishing "common data elements" to speed progress on research focused on traumatic brain injury and PTSD
• 2000: Showed the colonoscopy is superior to the more widely used sigmoidoscopy as a primary screening mechanism for colon cancer
• 1990: Discovered a peptide in the venom of the Gila monster, which would serve as the basis for a widely used diabetes drug 
• 1984: Developed the nicotine patch and other therapies to help smokers quit
• 1960: Implanted the first clinically successful cardiac pacemaker 
• 1945: Created the Department of Medicine and Surgery, which would eventually become VHA, when General Omar Bradley became Administrator of VA