History

Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS)

In June of 1944, the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) received its first Veteran patient. In March of 1946, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) took complete ownership of the Veterans hospital. To provide the best care using the latest developments in medical science for Veterans, VHA invested in a new building, that would provide more functionality to the Veterans and caregivers we serve. Since 1983, CVHCS has delivered high-quality health care from our state-of-the-art hospital to Veterans and their caregivers.  

CVHCS consists of the Richmond VA Medical Center and four Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Fredericksburg (HCC) , Charlottesville, Emporia and Henrico, Virginia. The Central Virginia catchment area has an estimated population of 200,000 Veterans in 52 cities and counties covering 22,515 square miles. The majority of the medical center's patients live in the Richmond-Petersburg-Hopewell area or within a 100-mile radius.

The Richmond VA Medical Center spans 1.2 million square feet and with 349 operating beds that offer primary, secondary, and tertiary diagnostic and therapeutic health services, including:

• Surgery
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Transitional care
• Oncology including radiation therapy
• Acute and chronic spinal cord injury
• Skilled nursing home care
• Palliative care to a primarily adult and geriatric population

Primary and secondary levels of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care are provided along with a substance abuse rehabilitation program. The medical center serves as one of VHA’s five Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. The medical center is also designated as a Center of Excellence for epilepsy and headaches.

Although we have grown, our mission remains to provide for those in our community who have served our nation. In that spirit, we hope to provide Veterans and their caregivers with World Class Customer Service. We aim to be the best place to work for our more than 4,000 employees. And, we strive for excellence in innovation and health care delivery. 

Periodically, the medical center receives questions about the large sculpture outside the south mall entrance. What is it called? What does it represent? The woman, dog and potted plant are certainly noticeable; sitting along the main walkway they have been the backdrop for many photos for our visitors over the years. The project was commissioned in 1981 by the Veterans Administration through the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. A few years later, in 1989, the VA changed to a cabinet-level executive department and the name became the Department of Veterans Affairs, while retaining the colloquialism “VA.” When the main building for the Richmond VA Medical Center was completed in 1983, Richmond-based artist and VCU professor Lester Van Winkle unveiled “Vigil” for the first time.

Van Winkle spent hours interviewing Veterans and staff members to understand the mission of the VA. After much consultation, Van Winkle delivered the 10-foot tall cast silicon bronze sculpture, which consisted of three main images. The crucible-like pot branches into the American flag and is a metaphor of national growth. The woman faces the hospital welcoming Veterans to a return to community and active life. In the artist’s eyes she represents gentleness, patience and compassion. The dog stands guard—facing away from the hospital. It symbolizes determination and tenacity: two qualities needed to maintain vigilance. Van Winkle designed the sculpture to serve as an emblem of continuing gratitude to the men and women who have personally sacrificed in shaping the history of our country.