Our History

Beginning in 1946, the Department of Veterans Affairs has played a major role in developing the next generation of health care providers for the VA and the Nation. In 2014, Office of Academic Affiliations within the Department of Veterans Affairs initiated a formal program to train advanced fellows in rigorous evaluation and research related to education program processes, outcomes, and impact, with the piloting of four HPEER sites. These sites in Houston, TX; Orlando, FL; San Francisco, CA; and White River Junction, VT provided opportunities for experiential learning, individualized mentoring, and provision of local instruction related to health professions education.

After a successful pilot producing many HPEER Alumni, a Coordinating Center was selected for the HPEER program through a competitive process in June of 2020. The newly appointed HPEER Coordinating Center, housed in Houston, TX, is a joint endeavor between VHA facilities in Houston, TX and White River Junction, VT.

In April of 2021, 5 additional and 1 continuing site were chosen via competitive review. The complete 8 sites are located in VA Medical Centers across the country in Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; Dublin, GA; Houston TX; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; West Haven, CT; and White River Junction, VT. The new National HPEER Advanced Fellowship welcomed its inaugural cohort in July 2022.