What is the U.Va. Health System?

The University of Virginia Health System embodies the leadership and inventiveness that Thomas Jefferson, its founder, personified. U.Va. was the tenth medical school established in the United States. Over the past 176 years, the School of Medicine grew and developed into U.Va. Health System, a nationally renowned academic medical center committed to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's health care leaders and discovering better ways to treat diseases.

Recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report, Best Doctors in America and Good Housekeeping, physicians at the U.Va. Health System serve patients from Charlottesville and surrounding communities, as well as throughout the state and the Southeast. Many U.Va. physicians and nurses are recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in their fields.

The Health System consists of four components:

  • The University of Virginia Medical Center, an integrated network of primary and specialty care, offers services ranging from wellness programs and routine checkups to the most technologically advanced care. The Medical Center includes the hospital with over 500 beds in operation, and is complemented by numerous clinics on the U.Va. campus, throughout Charlottesville and in neighboring counties.

  • The University of Virginia School of Medicine, founded in 1825, consistently attracts the nation's brightest students. Ranked tenth among state-assisted medical schools, its faculty is among the most distinguished in the country and won more than $124 million in research funding last year. The research advances made by the School of Medicine's 789 faculty members and 23 research centers are resulting in new and better therapies for patients, especially in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and vaccine development. Medical students gain clinical experience at U.Va. Health System and affiliated hospitals and practices throughout Virginia.

  • The University of Virginia School of Nursing has earned a national reputation for excellence in education, research and practice. Ranked among the top 25 public nursing schools in the country, the School of Nursing offers undergraduate, master's level and doctoral programs.

  • The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library offers expert information services in every area of medicine. Open to the public, the library staff are skilled professionals available to help health care specialists and patients find the latest health news and on-line information.

The U.Va. Health System features a network of more than 611 physicians who provide every level of medical care. Through Primary Care, patients can choose from a wide variety of physicians and clinic locations to find the high quality care that meets their needs. Focusing on prevention and wellness, Primary Care physicians work closely with patients to identify risk factors and develop a plan to maximize health.

If an accident or sudden illness occurs, the Emergency Department at U.Va. is a Level I trauma center that provides treatment for all types of medical emergencies, featuring helicopter and ground ambulance service and a chest pain center for the rapid diagnosis of heart problems.

If more specialized care is needed, U.Va. offers coordinated treatment through centers focused on specific areas:

The Cancer Center brings together multidisciplinary specialists who offer some of the most advanced treatment available for all types of cancer. Active research programs offer patients access to clinical trials and the latest breakthroughs in treatment. Recognizing that cancer affects the mind and spirit as well as the body, the Cancer Center also offers a number of support services for patients and their families, including spiritual counseling and exercise programs.

The Heart Center is one of the most comprehensive heart programs in Virginia. Renowned cardiologists, surgeons, cardiac nurses, physical therapists and other health professionals work together to offer a continuum of care, from prevention, diagnosis and drug therapies to surgery, transplant and rehabilitation.

The Women's Place combines a wide range of programs to address the health concerns affecting a woman at every stage of her life. From gynecology, obstetrics and infertility treatment to a dedicated midlife center featuring services in breast care, cardiac health, psychiatry and health education, physicians at the Women's Place are committed to improving the health and well being of women.

The Children's Hospital is a comprehensive network of health care dedicated to children from birth through adolescence. Services range from well baby care and kindergarten physicals to heart transplants and neurosurgery. At the Children's Medical Center, physicians and staff recognize the importance of family to a child's well being and consider parents and siblings to be a vital part of the health care team.

The Digestive Health Center features experts in gastroenterology, surgery, radiology, psychiatry and other areas working together to treat patients with all types of gastrointestinal diseases. A new Women's Gastrointestinal Clinic treats digestive disorders that are specific to women.

The Neurosciences Center provides coordinated care for patients with neurological diseases and injury, including stroke, epilepsy, degenerative diseases, brain tumors, neonatal and developmental disorders and other neurological problems.

The Musculoskeletal Service Center provides diagnosis and treatment for illness and injury to the upper and lower extremities and spine. These musculoskeletal conditions include problems with bones, muscles, joints and connective tissue and may be either acute or chronic in nature.

The Psychiatry Service Center is a multi-location, multi-modality, and interdisciplinary center that recognizes that mental health problems stem from biological, psychological, and/or social factors. Our approach to care is bio-psychosocial in nature and recognizes the mind-body continuum. Services are provided over a continuum that encompasses prevention, emergency crisis intervention, acute inpatient hospitalization, partial or day hospitalization, outpatient, and home or nursing home care.