Salem VAMC

Health care and services

We provide you with health care services at 6 locations in southwestern Virginia: our Salem VA Medical Center and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in Danville, Lynchburg, Staunton, Tazewell, and Wytheville, Virginia. To learn more about the services each location offers, visit the VA Salem health services page.

The VA Salem Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the Mid-Atlantic Region. We’re an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 (VISN 6), which includes medical centers in North Carolina (Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville, and Salisbury) and Virginia (Hampton, Richmond, and Salem), and dozens of other health care facilities.

Research and development

We conduct research to discover knowledge, develop VA scientists and health care leaders, and create innovations that advance health care for Veterans and the nation. We offer Veterans the opportunity to participate in and benefit from our work. Our goal is to use research to promote better health and health care for all.

Teaching and learning

As a teaching hospital, Salem VA Medical Center provides a full range of services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. Our medical center has 3 active medical school affiliations with the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

We also play a major role in training nursing students through our affiliations with the University of Virginia, Radford University, Liberty University, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Kaplan University, and Old Dominion University. 

We offer residency training in many major medical, mental health, and subspecialties. We also provide associated health training in psychology, optometry, social work, dietetics, and pharmacy.

Overall, we have more than 80 affiliations with colleges and universities. We’re proud of our partnerships with top institutions and organizations that support the educational mission of the VA.

In modern times, Salem has developed a nationwide reputation as a sports town, bringing to the community dozens of collegiate and amateur tournaments and championships. Most notably, Salem has hosted the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III football championship, since 1993. The emphasis on sports marketing and tourism has significantly contributed to the local economy.

For more than two centuries now, the City of Salem has remained a superb place to live, retaining its old-fashioned, small-town community feel while providing residents with some of the highest quality schools, facilities, and services in Virginia. The development of the Moyer Sports Complex, the Salem Recreation Center, and the Salem Senior Citizen Center, the expansion of Longwood Park, and the Lake Spring renovations have enhanced the recreation and leisure opportunities for all Salem residents. The construction of the Salem Rescue Squad facilities and the expansion of the Salem Police and Fire Department facilities have helped to ensure that high-quality public safety services are provided. The Farmers Market and Main Street Beautification project brings vibrancy and people to downtown. In addition, the opening of the Salem Civic Center in 1967, Lewis-Gale Hospital in 1972, Salem High School in 1977, Salem Stadium in 1985, the Salem Museum in 1992, Memorial Stadium in 1995, and the Salem Visitor's Center in 1997 have all contributed to making Salem a thriving, progressive city with a bright future indeed.