Leaders from UPMC Hamot and the Erie VA Medical Center signed a Veterans’ care pledge this week, marking the official start of the VA-UPMC Community Nurse Liaison Program at UPMC Hamot [1]. The program places VA registered nurses directly inside the hospital to coordinate care for Veterans from the moment they are admitted through discharge and follow-up.
How the Program Works
Community nurse liaisons are VA registered nurses embedded in participating UPMC hospitals. They work alongside community case managers to coordinate continued care, including physical therapy, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments [1]. The liaisons also identify Veterans who are not yet enrolled in VA health care and help connect them to VA services [1].
A Statewide Effort Reaches Erie County
The Community Nurse Liaison Program first launched in 2022 at UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Community Osteopathic, and UPMC West Shore [1]. In September 2024, UPMC and VA Healthcare Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 4 announced a statewide expansion to five additional hospitals, including UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore, and UPMC Passavant in Pittsburgh, as well as UPMC Altoona and UPMC Hamot [1]. The signing at UPMC Hamot brings the program into Erie County, extending coordinated VA care to Veterans in the northwest region of the state.
“The signing of this pledge signifies a joint effort between the Erie VA Medical Center and UPMC Hamot to improve the quality of life for our nation’s veterans through this VA-Community Care Coordination Program,” said John Gennaro, executive director, Erie VA Medical Center [1]. “This partnership is intended to assist with improving the provision of care across the care continuum and ensuring that post-emergency follow-up care is directed in a manner that best meets the needs of our Veterans.”
“We are thrilled that our veterans in the Erie region have local access to this innovative care coordination plan right here at UPMC Hamot,” said Brian Durniok, president, UPMC Hamot [1]. “Our Veterans have done so much for others, and this is our opportunity to ensure they are provided with the best care and experience possible when they need our services. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Erie VA Medical Center to make this happen.”
Learn More
Read more about the partnership and find local coverage:
- UPMC and Erie VA Team Up, Erie News Now, Feb. 4, 2026 [2]
- Erie VAMC, UPMC Hamot Partner Up to Coordinate Care for Veterans, WJET-TV, Feb. 3, 2026 [3]
References
- UPMC Hamot announces launch of Community Nurse Liaison Program. UPMC Newsroom. February 3, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.upmc.com/media/news/020326-nurse-liaison
- UPMC and Erie VA team up. Erie News Now. February 4, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. URL_PLACEHOLDER
- Erie VAMC, UPMC Hamot partner up to coordinate care for veterans. WJET-TV. February 3, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. URL_PLACEHOLDER