Health services

The registered nurses on our Nurse Advice Line provide you and your family with helpful medical advice and free, confidential answers to many of your health care questions. To speak to a nurse on our Nurse Advice Line, call .  In addition, our nurses can:

• Help you manage many of your basic health care needs
• Answer questions about your current medications or medical condition
• Discuss your health care concerns and help you decide the best way to handle them
• Offer improved access to VA services

To make a primary care appointment with your VA health care provider, dial .

We provide emergency medical care 24 hours a day, every day. Our emergency room staff can help you with:

• Life-threatening illnesses and injuries that require immediate attention
• Urgent medical issues that must be treated right away
• Psychiatric evaluations

The emergency department is located in the Washington DC VA Medical Center main building. To contact the emergency room, call: .

We assess your situation and condition to decide which outpatient geriatric services are right for you or a senior Veteran in your care, and then we coordinate your care. Our team of specialists provides geriatric services that include:

• Medicine and nursing
• Psychology, psychiatry, and social work
• Physical and occupational therapy

To speak with the Geriatrics Service, call , ext. 58422 or ext. 52399. 

We also offer short and long-term geriatric care at our on-campus Community Living Center. The CLC is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level of care, which includes help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing and medical care. To speak with someone from the CLC, call the Freedom Way East front desk at , ext. 57711 or Freedom Way West front desk at , ext. 57775.

Learn more about VA long-term care

Our gynecologists focus on the female reproductive system and provide services that include:

• Mammograms for breast cancer, screenings for sexually transmitted disease, and Pap tests for cervical cancer
• Counseling and treatment for contraception, pregnancy, and infertility
• Osteoporosis screening for brittle bones
• Exams for abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, or various cancers
• Primary care checkups

To schedule an appointment with gynecology, call , ext. 57937.

Our pharmacy makes it easy to get medications and medical supplies. Here you can:

• Pick up new prescriptions in person
• Get prescriptions refilled by phone, mail or online
• Safely dispose of medicines

In order to focus on providing care for Veterans with urgent needs or new prescriptions, the pharmacy does not refill prescriptions in person. For instructions on how to refill a prescription by phone, mail or online,  click here.

To speak to a pharmacy representative, call .

Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life, including immunizations and vaccinations. They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you.

To make a primary care appointment with your VA health care provider, dial .

Upon enrollment, you are assigned to the Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, or Women's Health Clinic. Each primary care clinic provides a strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services to prevent, diagnose, and treat adult diseases. Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as:

• Labs and blood work
• Mental health care
• Women's health care
• Radiology
• Social services
• Telehealth
• Toxic exposure screening

We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings, mental health treatment, recovery from military sexual trauma, maternity care and female-specific medical equipment.

Our Women Veteran's Program offers complete health care for women Veterans of all ages. Our primary care providers specialize in women’s health and work closely with specialists in gynecology, obstetrics, female urology, oncology, medicine, radiology, surgery, and breast illness. Our services for women Veterans include:

• Ultrasounds, mammograms, Pap and HPV tests
• Mental health care and counseling
• Lifestyle wellness services
• Menopause treatment, including hormonal therapy
• Family planning, contraceptive care, and infertility evaluation

The Women’s Health Clinic is located on the first floor of the Washington DC VA Medical Center, in suite 1E-500. To contact the Women's Health Clinic, call .

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We help Veterans on their recovery journey through outpatient and inpatient services. Our residential facility helps Veterans deal with substance abuse, homelessness, mental health, and unemployment through its 24-hour therapeutic and educational programs like:

• Rehabilitation
• Health maintenance
• Community support

Learn more about our VA treatment programs

Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for:

• Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression
• Marriage and relationship problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, addictive behaviors, and personality disorders
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

To speak with Mental Health Service, call 202-745-8000, ext. 52367, or ext. 58156. 

To reach the Veteran's Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 to speak with a trained professional. 

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help. We offer treatment and support such as therapy, alternative treatments and medications when needed.

Our psychology teams offer consultation, evaluation, and treatment to help with a range of mental and behavioral health problems like:

• Depression (including sadness and grief), anxiety (including worry and nervousness), and personality disorders
• Addictive behaviors and substance abuse
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat-related stress disorder
• Emotional issues like anger management and relationship challenges
• Confused thinking, memory problems, and invasive thoughts or ideas
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. We offer:

• Suicide prevention care coordinators
• Suicide prevention case managers
• Gun safety locks

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We diagnose, evaluate, and treat your asthma, allergies, and non-HIV immune deficiencies. Our services include:

• Skin tests, blood tests, and other exams to identify food, drug, insect, pollen, animal, dust, and other allergies
• Prescribing and managing allergy medications that can ease your symptoms by reducing your immune system response to the things that cause your allergic reaction
• Performing asthma tests to measure lung function and see how much air moves in and out as you breathe
• Prescribing long-term and quick-relief asthma medications to reduce inflammation and open your swollen airways
• Specialized treatments for your immune deficiency disorders

Speak to your primary care provider about a referral to the Allergy Clinic. 

For asthma and allergy related questions, call 202 745 8000, ext. 54535. 

Our specially trained doctors, called anesthesiologists and certified nurses, called Nurse Anesthetists, can help with your care before, during, and after surgery. They will develop a plan for your care and safety, provide medicine to keep you comfortable during your operation, and help you manage your pain after surgery. Our services include:

• General anesthesia (intravenous drugs, inhaled gasses, or some combination) to keep you pain-free and in a sleep-like state during surgery or other medical procedures
• Regional anesthesia (injecting numbing drugs around nerves) to control pain in specific parts of your body during or after surgery
• Monitoring your breathing and vital body functions while you’re under anesthesia
• Working with the rest of your care team to manage your pain medications after your operation
• Coordinating care with your other health care professionals to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital to home

Our Audiology and Speech Pathology clinic provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services, VA compensation and pension examinations, and screening for employee hearing conservation. We offer a full range of audiology and speech pathology services like:

• Hearing and balance evaluations
• Selection, management, and repair of hearing aids and assistive listening device assessments
• Evaluation, programming, and management of cochlear implants and bone-anchored implants
• Evaluation and treatment for auditory processing disorder
• Services that help with speech, language, fluency, voice, cognitive communication, swallowing, stuttering, and laryngectomy (surgical removal of the larynx, which contains your vocal cords)

To reach the Audiology and Speech clinic, call , ext. 58270.

Learn more about VA hearing aids

• COVID-19 vaccines for eligible Veterans and staff

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at VA

We diagnose and treat medical conditions in your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, and other parts of your digestive system. We can also test and treat other organs, like your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Our gastroenterology department provides services like:

• Colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which use an endoscope (a long, flexible tube with a small camera on the end) that lets us examine your digestive system
• Endoscopic ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images that help us diagnose and evaluate digestive and lung diseases
• Manometry study, which tests how well your esophagus is working
• Small bowel capsule endoscopy, which uses a tiny wireless camera that takes pictures as it moves through your digestive system
• 24-hour pH study, which measures how much stomach acid is flowing into your esophagus and helps us assess conditions like severe heartburn and acid reflux

Prepping for a Colonoscopy

Gastroenterology service is located on floor 3A, room 166A. Hours of operations are Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To reach Gastroenterology, dial , ext. 6266.

We offer a range of hematology and oncology services. You can arrange appointments and consultation through your primary care provider. Our hematology and oncology services include:

• Chemotherapy
• Blood and platelet transfusions
• Mediport flushes to clean and maintain the small medical appliance inserted under your skin, making it easier to inject drugs and draw blood
• Evaluation and treatment of blood disorders and cancer
• Dedicated outpatient infusion center, working closely with radiation oncology, interventional radiology, general surgery, diagnostics, palliative care, and social services
• Bone marrow biopsies, to see whether your bone tissue is healthy and making a normal number of blood cells

Oncology service is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in the main medical center, second floor, C wing. To speak with someone from Oncology, call  or .

Special doctors called “hospitalists” oversee your care when you are admitted to the hospital for an illness or injury, or after you have surgery. Our hospitalists provide a range of services, like:

• Clear and timely communication with you and your family
• Care coordination with your other doctors
• Patient advocacy and assistance
• Triage and bed flow coordination to improve patient care
• Inpatient medical consultations

Learn more about Hospitalists

Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Our laboratory and pathology services include:

• Study of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids for illness management
• Testing for infectious diseases
• Cytopathology (study of unusual cells) and surgical pathology (study of tissue removed during surgery)
• Autopsy services

Care we provide:

We provide inpatient and outpatient services for chronic diseases and disorders that affect your brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. Our neurologists read electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, which measure the electrical impulses brain cells use to communicate with each other. We perform EMGs to study the function of nerve and muscles and we evaluate and treat many neurological illnesses and disorders such as:

• Neuropathy (nerve damage), myelopathy and other spinal cord injuries, and radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
• Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis (MS) and ALS
• Stroke, dementia, and degenerative diseases
• Other neurological conditions

Neurology service is located on 3B, room 101. To reach Neurology, dial , ext. 2535. 

Our registered dietitians can help you maintain or improve your health with good nutrition tailored to your needs. Through group, individual, and telehealth sessions, we provide nutrition education and counseling in areas such as:

• Cardiovascular and heart health
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes (including gestational diabetes)
• Eating disorders and digestive health
• Pregnancy and postpartum nutrition
• Weight management

Our optometrists provide many eye-related services and treatments like:

• Vision services and eye exams
• Treatment for diseases and injuries of the retina, cornea, and other parts of your eye
• Low-vision services for conditions like macular degeneration that cannot be corrected by eyeglasses, surgery, or medication
• Special eye exams for diabetic patients

The Eye Clinic is open Monday - Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and can be reached at . The fastest way to schedule an appointment with the Eye Clinic is through Secure Messaging. Click here to login or register for Secure Messaging.

Our palliative and hospice care services support you and your family as you cope with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Palliative care works to provide comfort, reduce suffering, and improve the quality of life for patients being treated for serious illnesses. Hospice care focuses on helping patients with terminal illnesses to manage the final stages of their lives. Our palliative and hospice care services include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support for you and your family
• Help with practical issues that include an advance directive (living will), health care power of attorney, funeral arrangements, and applying for VA death and burial benefits
• Education to help you and your family make informed health care decisions and know what to expect as your health declines
• Bereavement care to help surviving family members during the grieving process

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and therapists focus on whole-body health. They can help you manage your pain, increase your independence, and improve your quality of life with services like:

Physiatry

Rehabilitation Medicine services are performed by board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation medical doctors, also called physiatrists. The physiatrist evaluates, treats, and coordinates rehabilitation care  with the goal of maximizing function

Amputee Clinic

All veterans with major amputations should be referred to Rehabilitation Medicine for education, assessment and training. Veterans are evaluated in this clinic by a team of rehabilitation and prosthetic providers to determine the rehabilitation plan and artificial limb prescription when appropriate. Appointments can be made by a consult or through direct scheduling by calling , option #2.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy provides evidence-based care. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a treatment plan. Evidence-based services are used to decrease disability, reduce pain, improve function and independence, prevent illness, promote wellness and restore quality of life. The service is available by consultation.

Kinesiotherapy (KT) 

Kinesiotherapy is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning. Available by consultation to Outpatient Therapy.

Occupational Therapy

The core purpose of Occupational Therapy is the evaluation and assessment of a patient's ability to perform self care and daily life tasks. This include fine motor skills, cognitive training and more. Available by consultation request from provider.

Blind Rehabilitation

We offer a wide range of services for legally blind, low vision, and traumatic brain injured (TBI) Veterans. If you are experiencing problems performing daily living activities, please call the Vision Rehabilitation Team at , ext. 56042. The clinic is located on the basement level, room GC-208/210

Chiropractic Services

VA doctors of chiropractic (DCs) provide diagnosis and management of non-operative neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. This most commonly includes problems in the low back, neck, and other joints. 

VA DCs provide diagnosis and management consistent with both VA and external evidence-based guidelines. Chiropractic treatment options include patient education, active rehabilitation, spinal manipulation and other manual therapies. VA DCs may also provide acupuncture or other novel therapies as non-pharmacologic options for Veteran care.

PM&R Specialty Clinics

Polytrauma Rehabilitation
Available for patients with injuries to multiple body parts or organ systems that can result in physical, cognitive, psychological, and/or psychosocial impairments and functional disabilities. TBI frequently occurs in polytrauma in combination with other disabling conditions. Available by consultation to Polytrauma, scheduling in room GC-210, , ext. 58311.

Wheeled Mobility Clinic (ADD)
Available for patients requiring an assessment for a custom wheeled mobility device. An evaluation is performed by a therapist or team of providers to determine equipment needs and plan of care. Available by consultation to Wheeled Mobility Clinic or by calling , option #2 to make an appointment through direct scheduling.

Driver Rehabilitation
Available for patients requiring drivers assessment and rehabilitation due to a physical or cognitive impairment. This includes simulated driving assessment and training on the road with adapted vehicles. Available by consultation to Drivers Rehab.

Hours:

Outpatient rehabilitation clinics are open Monday- Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

An appointment is required.

Walk-in visits are available for equipment training and pickup (an order from a provider is required for the item) 

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Inpatient Acute Rehab: Physical and Occupational therapy services are offered Monday- Friday from 7:00am- 4:30pm. On Saturdays and Sundays limited therapy is provided between 8:00am- 4:00pm. Consults are required and are received within 24 hours.

Community Living Center (CLC) Rehab: Therapy services are offered to sub-acute rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice residents of the CLC through consultation from medical providers. Physical therapy, Occupational therapy and Kinesiotherapy are offered by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, 8:00 am. to 4:30 p.m.

Physical therapy is also offered at the following CBOC sites:

• Ft Belvoir (VA)
• Montgomery County (MD)
• Charlotte Hall (MD)

Consults and appointments are required for physical therapy at a CBOC. Please refer to the Washington DC VA Medical Center website for CBOC hours. 

NOTE: There is no Physical Medicine coverage (inpatient or outpatient) on Federal Holidays.

To speak with a PM&R Clinic, call and use the following options:
Option #1- Main phone line for scheduling or reaching Physical & Occupational therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Physiatry, Chiropractic and Polytrauma services.
Option #2- Wheeled Mobility and Amputation clinic requests
Option #5- VISOR Blind Rehabilitation
Option #9- Cancellation and re-scheduling requests

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service is located in the medical center basement, floor GC, room 210. Dial to contact this service. 

Your VA primary care team can monitor your health, identify health concerns, and help you make informed treatment decisions using the following imaging tests available at the Washington DC VA Medical Center:

• X-rays (walk-in service from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• CT Scans
• MRIs
• Nuclear medicine
• Ultrasounds
• Interventional Radiology

To contact Radiology scheduling, dial , ext. 52457

We provide long-term care to help you and your family when you’re dealing with a disability, chronic (long-lasting) illness, terminal illness, or serious health issues related to aging. Our long-term health care services include:

• 24/7 nursing and medical care
• Physical therapy
• Help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine
• Pain management and palliative care to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses
• Hospice care to provide comfort and compassionate care for people in the last phases of an incurable illness
• To learn more about the different types of extended care that VA provides, see our guide to long-term services and support.

Learn more about VA long-term care

The sleep medicine service diagnoses and treats your sleep problems, including trouble sleeping, breathing difficulties while sleeping, snoring, teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

Care we provide at VA Washington DC health care:

Our technologists perform sleep studies including complex full night sleep studies, home sleep testing focused on sleep apnea and complex CPAP titration studies.  Our providers read sleep studies. Our providers and technologists manage patients on PAP devices and other devices for treating sleep apnea. We treat many sleep disorders such as :

•             Sleep Apnea and other sleep disordered breathing
•             Insomnia
•             Parasomnias (sleep walking, REM behavior Disorder)
•             Restless legs Syndrome
•             Circadian Disorders

The Sleep Lab is located on floor 3A, room 112. Their hours of operations are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Sleep studies are held from 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 

To contact the Sleep Lab, dial , ext. 4164. 

If you are having surgery, we make sure that your procedure and follow-up care are safe and high-quality.

We provide a wide range of surgical services, like:

• General surgery
• Same day surgery
• Anesthesia
• Cardiac surgery (heart and major blood vessels)
• Neurosurgery (brain, spinal column, and nerves)
• Orthopedic surgery (bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons)
• Organ and tissue transplants

Surgeries take place on the second floor of the medical center. 

Your VA primary care provider can complete a toxic exposure screening and refer you to the CARE Center for a consultation. Call to schedule a toxic exposure screening with your VA primary care provider.

Click here to learn more about Toxic Exposure Screening.

Click here to visit the CARE Center page and learn about treatment and care for conditions caused by toxic exposures. 

We are experts in life-saving transplants, including kidney, liver, heart, lung, small bowel, bone marrow and stem cell.

Transplant Center

If you have been diagnosed with liver disease, choosing an experienced, multidisciplinary team of liver specialists with access to the latest diagnostic tools and medical and surgical treatment options is the first step towards managing your condition and living a healthier life.

The Washington DC VA Medical Center is one of seven VA hospitals in the country to offer liver transplant. The VA is partnering with the MedStar Health team at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute to offer excellent care to Veterans.

Contact the DC VA Medical Center Transplant Center team for more information or to receive a brochure.

Physicians

Dr. Jessica P. E. Davis

Dr. Atoosa Rabiee

Liver transplant coordinators

Carole Daley, RN, , ext. 57413

Crystal Fitzhugh, RN, , ext. 56709

Phone numbers

Medical Advice Line: 202-745-CARE

Appointment scheduling: 202-745-CARE (2273), ext. 55026

Billing: , opt. 6, then press 1

Questions?

Learn more about the Liver And Kidney Transplant Program.

If you’re a caregiver for a Veteran, a dedicated team of caregiver support coordinators are ready to listen and provide support to help you overcome challenges. Caregiver support coordinators can help to connect you with:

• Self-care training and educational resources

• Caregiver assistance available through VA
• Local resources and support programs near you

If the Veteran you care for was injured post-9/11, you may be eligible for additional services, including a stipend to help with expenses, training, and medical coverage if you aren’t already covered.

To connect with a caregiver support coordinator, call 202-745-8000, ext. 55926.

Click here to learn how caregiver support coordinators can help you care for Veterans. 

We help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact one of our care coordinators to get help with:

• Immediate food and shelter needs, including both transitional and permanent housing
• Job training, life skills development, and education
• Justice system navigation and community reentry from jail
• Financial support to prevent homelessness
• Addiction and depression treatment
• Health and dental care

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:

• Hormone therapy
• Substance use and alcohol treatment
• Testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Mental health care
• Psychosocial assessments for gender-confirming surgeries and hormone therapy

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

If you’re a minority Veteran, we can help you get the services and benefits you need. Our Minority Veterans Program serves all Veterans who are Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Island Americans). We work to:

• Help the medical center address minority Veterans’ needs
• Meet minority Veterans’ needs in the local community
• Identify barriers and create a more accessible environment for minority Veterans
• Inform minority Veterans of VA benefits, services, and programs

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Our patient advocates work hard to make sure you receive the best possible care at our health care facilities. They can:

• Help you get answers or address concerns with your care team
• Advocate for patient and family rights
• Serve as advocates for minority Veterans, women Veterans, and Veterans with disabilities
• Offer specialized help to former prisoners of war and Veterans transitioning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND)

To speak with a patient advocate at the Washington DC VA Medical Center or a Community Based Outpatient Clinic, call 202-745-8588.

Click here to learn more about patient advocacy at Washington DC VA Medical Center.

If you’re returning from military service, we can help you readjust to civilian life and get started with VA health care. We can also help connect you with programs like mental health services and education and career counseling.

We can help you readjust to civilian life if you’re returning from military service, on active duty, or an activated National Guard or Reserve member. Talk to one of our care coordinators about how to best use your health care benefits.

• Polytrauma care (if you have multiple traumatic injuries)
• Counseling and rehabilitation
• Mental and behavioral health services
• Family benefits counseling and assistance
• Referral assistance

Learn more and connect with a coordinator

Social work is integral to health care. We can help you and your family manage stress-related problems due to injury or illness, and find VA community resources to meet your needs like:

• Home health services
• Legal services
• Transportation
• Community living

The Social Work service is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 202-745-8000, ext. 8338 or ext. 8534, to connect with Social Work service. 

Click here to learn more about Social Work at Washington DC VA Medical Center.

We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers. We offer video conferencing, home telehealth services, and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities. We offer telehealth visits with providers in:

• Mental health
• Retinal care (eye)
• Bariatric surgery (visit remotely with your weight-loss surgery team before and after your operation)
• Dermatology
• Rehabilitation
• Primary care

Learn more about telehealth