Blog

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — On Thursday, the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System will celebrate 70 years of service to veterans in Alabama.

Birmingham VA first opened on the city’s south side in 1953 and has been serving veterans in the community ever since. More than 71,000 veterans are affected and cared for by more than 3,000 employees at the Birmingham Veterans Health Care System.

The medical center is a Level 1A tertiary acute medical and surgical care facility, meaning a high level of specialty care is provided to incoming veterans. Not only is care provided, but the medical center also conducts research, in partnership with the University of Alabama. at Birmingham Medical School and Nursing School.

According to its website, the medical center’s mission is “to enhance the VA’s ability to provide services that meet the medical, psychological, and social needs of older veterans through research, education, and innovative clinical services.”

For the past 70 years, Birmingham VA has served veterans in many capacities throughout Alabama, with ten community walk-in clinics in nine cities, including Anniston-Oxford, Bessemer, Childersburg, Guntersville, Gadsden, Huntsville, Jasper, Shoals, and two in Birmingham.

“Birmingham VA’s 70th anniversary marks an important milestone that would not be possible without our community, whom we sincerely appreciate,” Birmingham VA CEO Dr. Oladipo Kukoyi said in a statement. “We are excited to share our rich history with our veterans, guests and the City of Birmingham.”

The celebration will take place on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be located at the 19th Street entrance of the medical center located at 700 19th Street South. The event will also be broadcast on Birmingham VA Facebook Live.