The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center provides for the health care needs of Veterans in Central PA Joint Commission Notice:
The James E.
Van Zandt VA Medical Center wishes to promote open communication regarding any concerns about patient care or safety in the medical center. If you have concerns about patient care or safety that have not been addressed, you are encouraged to contact your Service Chief/Supervisor. Additionally, you can contact Quality Management Service at extension 7321. If the concern continues, you may contact The Joint Commission at the following:
• www.jointcommission.org, using the “Report a Patient Safety Event” link
in the “Action Center” on the home page of the website
• By fax to 630-792-5636
• By mail to Office of Quality and Patient Safety, The Joint Commission,
One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
It is the policy of this medical center that no disciplinary action will occur because an employee reports safety or quality of care concerns to The Joint Commission. Any questions regarding this matter can be directed to Quality Management Service at extension 7321.
03/09/2026
‼️Attention Veterans: Fraud Alert‼️
A Veteran in Pennsylvania visited a VA with a fraudulent letter claiming they had an appointment and paid in advance. It was discovered the Veteran was not enrolled in VA health care, and no appointment was scheduled.
To protect yourself:
Remember: VA does not require payment in advance for VA or Community Care appointments.
Verify: If you receive suspicious appointment communications, contact your local VA medical facility directly.
Stay vigilant and help spread the word! 💡
03/09/2026
03/06/2026
03/05/2026
Yesterday I told the American Legion- it’s a new day at VA. We’re slashing wait times and making it easier for our women Veterans to get the care they need. The mission is simple - Veterans First. Always.
03/04/2026
You can now schedule your next VA appointment quickly and easily using the VA Health Chat app! Our schedulers in the VISN 4 Clinical Contact Center are now available to help you from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week including federal holidays. Download the app or launch the chat at mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-chat.
03/04/2026
GI Bill® students: Did you verify your enrollment for February?
All VA education beneficiaries, including Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) students, must verify their enrollment at the end of each month to receive benefit payments.
Veterans, know which benefits are taxable and which are not. Knowing this information can help you accurately file your taxes and avoid unexpected surprises
• Non-taxable VA benefits: disability compensation, pension, health care, grants, and education assistance.
• Taxable: military retirement pay
Stay informed, take action, and make tax season a breeze!
news.va.gov/138085/tax-season-guidance-for-veterans/
Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find out more and report to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling (833) 38V-SAFE.
03/02/2026
Veterans, you’ve earned your benefits. VA health care is one of them. From primary care to mental health support, VA is built to serve Veterans — because your service matters. https://www.va.gov/health-care/
02/27/2026
02/26/2026
Meet our Orthopedic PA team!
Meet Vanessa Colquhoun, PA-C, CAQ-OS, Dave Skelley, PA-C, ATC, and Andrea Lacki, PA-C, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in orthopedic surgery!
Our skilled team works closely with orthopedic surgeons Dr. Rowe and Dr. Tyndall to treat a wide variety of orthopedic issues, from shoulders and elbows to hips, knees, and spines.
They excel in offering conservative management, surgical and postoperative care, and assist Dr. Tyndall in the operating room.
Big thanks to our dedicated PAs for the exceptional care they provide our Veterans! ❤️
02/26/2026
As a Veteran, your military service may have exposed you to unique factors that can increase your risk of heart disease.
In addition to traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, mental health concerns such as PTSD and depression can contribute to your risk.
The Million Veteran Program is studying ways to improve treatments for heart disease.
You can make a difference by joining MVP today. www.mvp.va.gov
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Welcome to the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Since 1950, the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. We consider it our privilege to serve your health care needs in any way we can. Services are available to more than 81,000 Veterans living in a 14 county area of Pennsylvania. Our 14 counties include Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Mifflin, and Somerset.
Improving Access and Timeliness of Care
Learn how we are improving access to health care for nearly 25,000 Veterans in our 14 county service area.
See how our VA Medical Center is doing in Access and Quality.
VA Outpatient Clinics
In addition to our main facility in Altoona, we offer services in five VA Outpatient Clinics. These clinics are located in:
DuBois, Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Mapleton Depot (Huntingdon County), Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania
Mission
The medical center exists to serve the Veteran through the delivery of timely quality care by staff who demonstrate outstanding customer service and quality health care services. We embrace the VHA Mission to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well being.
Vision
The medical center will be recognized locally, regionally, and nationally as a leader in quality patient care, positive customer service, and excellent employment opportunities. We strive to be a patient-centered health care organization for Veterans, providing excellence in health care; being an organization where people choose to work; and serving as a community partner and back-up for national emergencies.
Key Business Drivers
Our key business drivers are quality, access, financial integrity, patient satisfaction, and employee satisfaction.
Values
Integrity: Act with high moral principle. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.
Commitment: Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.
Advocacy: Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.
Respect: Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.
Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.
