VA-UPMC Nurse Liaison Program

You deserve high‑quality, coordinated care, no matter where you go. The Nurse Liaison Program supports United States military veterans who receive care at non‑VA hospitals or emergency departments.

The Nurse Liaison Program places VA nurse liaisons in several UPMC hospitals across the region. These nurses work with veterans, acting as a link between the UPMC hospital where you are receiving care and your VA health care team.

What Does a Nurse Liaison Do?

VA nurse liaisons are VA‑registered nurses. Liaisons work in several UPMC hospitals to ensure your care is well organized.

Your liaison will help coordinate your care, reduce potential confusion, and ensure a smooth transition to your VA care team.

VA nurse liaisons will:

• Identify veterans admitted to participating hospitals.
• Communicate with VA medical centers during a hospital stay.
• Help coordinate discharge and follow‑up care.
• Support enrollment into VA health care for eligible veterans.
• Assist with continuity of care after emergency or inpatient treatment.

The Nurse Liaison Program and UPMC Hospitals

The Nurse Liaison Program is currently available at the following UPMC hospitals:

• UPMC Presbyterian – Pittsburgh.
• UPMC Montefiore – Pittsburgh.
• UPMC Passavant – Pittsburgh.
• UPMC Hamot – Erie.
• UPMC Harrisburg – Harrisburg.
• UPMC Community Osteopathic – Harrisburg.
• UPMC West Shore – Mechanicsburg.
• UPMC Altoona – Altoona.

VA Medical Centers Supported Through This Program

Through the Nurse Liaison Program, participating hospitals coordinate care with the following VA facilities:

• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
• Abie Abraham VA Health Care Clinic – Butler, PA.
• Erie VA Medical Center.
• Lebanon VA Medical Center.
• James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center – Altoona, PA.

This collaboration helps ensure veterans return to VA care smoothly after hospitalization.

Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions about your care, follow‑up after a hospital stay, or VA services, you can use the VA Health Chat or call 412‑822‑3316. Veterans may also speak with their VA care team or hospital staff during a hospital stay for assistance with Nurse Liaison support.

VA Health Chat

The VA Health Chat offers:

• Clinical Contact Center Nurses
  • Available Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (except holidays) to answer non‑urgent health questions and provide guidance.
• Scheduling Support
  • VA schedulers are available from 3 p.m. to midnight, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to help schedule VA appointments.
• Pharmacy Support
  • Pharmacy staff are available Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (except holidays) to assist with prescription questions, refills, and medication tracking.

You can access VA Health Chat through the VA mobile app or by speaking with your VA care team.

UPMC Support for Veterans

At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means assisting veterans with services that best meet their needs.

Learn more about the programs and opportunities UPMC offers to support veterans and the military community.