PACT Act creates collaboration opportunity with Penn Medicine
An opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to collaborate with the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) brought representatives from both organizations and Veteran representatives from the local community to the Coatesville VA Medical Center (VAMC) grounds, on June 27th.
Coatesville VAMC hosted the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, and Chief Executive Officer for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Mr. Kevin Mahoney to discuss the signing of an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that memorializes the intent to collaborate on the feasibility of executing capital modernization projects at the Coatesville VAMC to improve health care services for Veterans of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Interim Medical Center Director, Jennifer Harkins, hosted the event and shared her thoughts on the significance of this public-private partnership.
"When I speak with Veterans who come to the Coatesville VA Medical Center, I receive many compliments about the quality of care, the compassion of our providers and the courtesy of our staff. The overall experience of receiving care at Coatesville VAMC overshadows our aging infrastructure," said Harkins. "This MOU introduces the prospect of more rapidly aligning our infrastructure with the high-quality care we provide to our Veterans. This opportunity is incredibly exciting."
The public-private collaboration with UPHS is made possible by the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
"We look forward to collaborating with Penn Medicine. What will not change is that Veterans in this area will continue to receive care from the amazing group of healthcare professionals at the Coatesville VA."
The VA anticipates additional partnerships with other VAMCs across the country and their academic affiliates.