Veterans’ health, wellness focus of new partnership with VA

The University of Maine’s Institute of Medicine (IoM) and the VA Maine Healthcare System (VA Maine) joined forces to expand healthcare services, advance medical research, and enhance clinical education across the state, with a focus on improving care for Maine’s large veteran population.

The partnership aims to address critical health challenges by combining the expertise from one of the nation’s top research universities with the clinical experience and reach of VA Maine. Planned initiatives include expanding healthcare access in underserved areas, developing workforce training programs, and launching veteran-focused services targeting mental health, chronic disease management, and rural health.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to promote health and well-being in Maine,” said UMaine IoM Director David Harder. “By combining the expertise and resources of UMaine researchers with the clinical experience and reach of VA Maine, we are creating new opportunities to address the challenges faced by our communities, especially our veterans.”

The collaboration also includes mobile health clinics, telemedicine programs, and joint research projects on health disparities and aging. Both institutions hope their combined efforts will strengthen healthcare delivery statewide and better serve Maine’s communities and veterans.

Read the full story on the UMaine News website.