The Hepatitis C Resource Center (HCRC) network is an integral part of VA's National Hepatitis C Program. Each of the four HCRCs work closely with other elements of the Public Health Strategic Health Care Group to develop best practices in hepatitis C prevention, clinical care, patient and provider education, and program evaluation for use within VA as well as for other medical care systems. Funding for this new Center program was awarded in January 2002 for 5 years. It followed a highly competitive process in which all VA medical facilities were invited to submit applications. The four Hepatitis C Resource Centers are as follows:  | The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, directed by Eric Dieperink, MD. Phone: 612-467-3137 |  | | The Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco, California, led by Alexander Monto, MD.
Phone: 415-221-4810 x2636 | | | The VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, led by Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, MD.
Phone: 203-932-5711 x2206 | | | The VA Northwest Hepatitis C Resource Center led by Jason A. Dominitz, MD, MHS, at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, in collaboration with the VA Portland Medical Center, Portland, Oregon.
Phone: 206-277-1722 | |
Projects of the Resource Centers include: | Improved screening and testing methods | | | Assessment and treatment of patients traditionally excluded from hepatitis C treatment (including those with mental illness, substance abuse, or concurrent HIV infection) | | | Development and dissemination of models of interdisciplinary care to optimize treatment outcomes | | | Development and dissemination of clinical standards for treating patients will all stages of hepatitis C infection. | |
The HCRCs build on the success of the previous Centers of Excellence in Hepatitis C program, established by VA in 1999. |
