OFFICE OF GERIATRICS AND EXTENDED CARE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Mission of The Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care is to advance quality care for aging and
chronically ill veterans in the most efficient manner. The Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care will
provide policy direction for the development, coordination, and integration of geriatrics and long-term
care clinical programs, and for the advancement of geriatrics and long-term care through research,
education, and evaluation of new clinical models.

The functional service lines are: Community-Based Long-Term Care, Nursing Home Care, Geriatric Care,
and Residential Rehabilitation Care. While each service line represents groups of programs with common
issues and similar customers, the shared purpose of all Geriatric and Extended Care programs is to prevent
or lessen the burden of disability on older, frail, chronically ill patients and their families/caregivers, and to
maximize each patient’s functional independence. Because the course of chronic illness often is variable, the
health care needs of the chronically ill patient also change, requiring the services of one, some, or all Geriatrics
and Extended Care service lines over time. Thus, the cross-cutting functions of our Strategic Health Group
underscores our common purpose, and link the service lines to each other, and to the shared missions of other
healthcare groups, including Rehabilitation, Primary Care, and Mental Health.

The Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care, through its four functional service lines, will actively support the
Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in (1) developing strategic plans for geriatrics and extended
care services, and by (2) analyzing demographic and clinical program data to inform practice and establish
benchmarks, (3) developing clinical practice guidelines and standards for existing geriatrics and extended care
programs, (4) developing customer feedback standards for quality assurance for geriatric and extended care 
programs, and (5) promoting dissemination of new clinical models, emphasizing primary care, to improve quality
and satisfaction in a cost effective manner.

The Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care will advise and consult with appropriate Headquarters elements on
related research and education activities and to advise the Under Secretary for Health on matters related to
aging and long-term care, and represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders.

James Burris, MD, Chief Consultant, Geriatrics & Extended Care

Dr. Burris is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary for Health and the overall Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
on issues regarding quality of care for aging and chronically ill veteran patients.  He recommends policy direction for the
development, coordination, and integration of geriatrics and extended care in support of the VHA clinical mission.  He also
promotes excellence in geriatrics and long term care through geriatric research, education and the evaluation of Geriatrics
and Extended Care programs. Dr. Burris is responsible for the management of the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care
which supports  the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in population-based strategic planning, in providing
integrated primary care for the frail elderly and chronically ill, and in implementing innovative models of care.  He
represents VA’s geriatrics and extended care  programs and expertise to professional and academic organizations, other
federal agencies, veterans’ service organizations and other stakeholders, to strengthen VA’s role as a leader and a partner in
these communities.