The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) was established January 1, 1997, from the merger of the Montgomery and Tuskegee VA Medical Centers, which includes community-based outpatient clinics in Dothan, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia. These four CAVHCS sites serve 134,000 veterans in 43 counties in the central and southeastern portions of Alabama and western Georgia. A member of the Atlanta Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) #7, CAVHCS’ mission is to provide excellent services to veterans across the continuum of healthcare. The East (Tuskegee) and West (Montgomery) campuses are approximately 40 miles apart. The East Campus is located on 170-acres of land situated in a rural setting adjacent to the historic Tuskegee University and Moton Field, home of the Tuskegee Airmen. The West Campus is situated on 52-acres, located in a residential community adjacent to city school property and approximately five miles east of downtown Montgomery. Services include: primary care at all four sites; medical and surgical care; a broad range of mental health programs; geriatrics and extended care, and a homeless domiciliary. Accreditations include the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

CAVHCS’ Geriatrics, Extended Care and Rehabilitation Service’s continuum of care includes initiatives that encompass the “whole person” concept. The Dedicated Alzheimer Dementia Unit allows staff to focus on the special needs of patients with dementia. The Wandering Area, a park-like setting complete with a waterfall, allows patients with dementia access to outside activities with their families. Adoption of the Eden Alternative concept has created a home-like environment utilizing plants, pets and familiarization techniques. CAVHCS has been successful in maintaining low rates for pressure sores. The national average is 3.0 percent; CAVHCS maintains a .02 percentage rate.

One-stop access for veterans and their families has been enhanced by the co-location of the VA Regional Office (VARO) building on the southeast corner of the West Campus complex, as well as, VARO staff housed within the Special Examinations Unit (Compensation & Pension [C&P]; Pre-military discharge; Persian Gulf; Agent Orange, etc.). CAVHCS’ average processing time for C&P examinations is consistently under 30 days and the Tiger Team processes all of its examinations within 10 days.

The Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Columbus, GA offers both Medical and Mental Health Primary Care.

CAVHCS operates a contracted Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Dothan, AL, which provides Medical Primary Care. Mental Health Primary Care is provided through the CAVHCS staffed Mental Health Clinic in Dothan.

AFFILIATIONS

Morehouse School of Medicine
Alabama State University
Auburn University
Tuskegee University

AUTHORIZED BEDS

143 Hospital
160 Nursing Home Care Unit
43 Homeless Domiciliary

TYPE OF FACILITY

GM&S

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Home-based Primary Care
Day Treatment
Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment (OSAT)
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM)
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
Community Residential Care
Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP)
Respite Care
Preservation-Amputation Care and Treatment (PACT)
Visually Impaired Services Team (VIST)
Women Veterans Program