The initiative offers unique training experience to those caring for women Veterans.

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partners with the University of South Florida’s Center for Advanced Medical Simulation and Training to offer a Women’s Health Mini Residency Program, Aug. 13-14 in Tampa, Florida.

This program gives VA’s women’s health providers experience in conducting breast and pelvic exams with the help of trained Gynecological Teaching Associates.

Since 2001, the number of women Veterans seeking VA care has grown 200% from 160,000 to over 500,000. The Women’s Health Mini Residency program, implemented in 2010, has trained more than 6,000 clinicians. The program reinforces the expertise of VA’s primary care teams and women’s health providers to address the full range of women Veterans’ medical needs.

“More women Veterans are choosing VA for their health care than ever before,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This mini residency program provides a unique learning opportunity for our clinical teams while addressing the extraordinary growth in VA services to women Veterans.”

More than 300 physicians, nurse practitioners and other health professionals plan to attend the August training.

A recent Women’s health study suggests women Veterans who get their primary care from a designated women’s health provider — a designation VA providers can obtain after completing this training — are more satisfied with their primary care provider and have a better overall experience with VA care.

For more information on the Women’s Health Mini Residency Program, or to learn more about VA Women’s Health, visit Women’s health.

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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

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