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Stories

Read more about how San Francisco VA Health Care System helps heroes heal through innovation, compassion and partnership

  • Dr. Carl Grunfeld stepped down in October 2025 after a 48-year career of federal leadership, service, and academic research.

    Carl Grunfeld

  • In Eureka’s Pine Hill neighborhood, there is a long, gray wall. It is a canvas for transience, a slab of urban parchment where the tags of the anonymous appear, are painted over, and appear again.

    VA Nurse foregrounded against her reddish-brown octopus mural which she still works to complete on a daily basis.

  • Dr. Julie Schallhorn, an ophthalmologist with San Francisco VA Health Care System recognized a common yet significant challenge: many Veterans face difficulty administering single-dose eye drops.

    Eye drop assistive device

  • San Francisco VA Health Care System now offering Veterans with early-stage Alzheimer's disease a new medication to slow the progression of symptoms.

    Holding hands

  • Before most of The City has finished their first cup of coffee, Terry Major is already 45 minutes into his morning bike ride, a ritual that reflects the same discipline he brings to serving Veterans.

    Side-by-side photo featuring the profiled servicemember. Left side, Marine bootcamp photo. Right side, current day outside SFVAMC.

  • An Air Force Veteran’s life recently changed forever when doctors at two VA medical centers, almost 2,000 miles apart, worked together and used new, advanced technology to restore his health.

    De Witt, Bryce

  • As the United States grew as a nation and participated in the major wars that would undergird its history, from the Civil War through World War II and into the Vietnam-era, its population of amputees grew exponentially.

    Male, above leg amputee lies in hospital bed with his wife immediately to his right perched on the edge of the bed, smiling as they pose for a photo.

  • Five years ago, Brian Mohlenhoff, a staff psychiatrist with San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), laid the foundation for an extraordinary complimentary mental health treatment program known as canine-assisted therapy.

    Oakley gives lead trainer Megan Frank his paw.

  • Within the depths of our great nation, amidst the uniformed heroes, lies a story of resilience and boundless compassion.

    Elizabeth Saltigerald posing for a headshot against a tan background.

  • Research.com recently released their picks for Best Female Scientist in the World for 2022 and three of our San Francisco VA Health Care System’s (SFVAHCS) staff were selected among this illustrious group

    Three scientists from pictured from left to right, Dr. Kristine Yaffe, Dr. Karla Kerlikowske, and Dr. Mary Whooley