Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

About Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is part of the VA Albany Healthcare System, a leading health care system serving military veterans through the New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network.

VA Albany Healthcare System is known for providing outstanding health care at its 12 locations in upstate New York, including Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.

Opened in 1951, Albany Stratton VAMC was named for New York Congressman Samuel S. Stratton, who served 30 years in the state legislature. The congressman was a staunch supporter of proper health care for United States military veterans.

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center provides comprehensive health care through inpatient and outpatient primary care. The center also offers secondary, tertiary, and long-term care services to patients referred from other facilities.

Albany Stratton VA specializes in advanced medical services such as:

• Adult-day health care
• Advanced treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Cardiac catheterization and rehabilitation
• Geriatric assessments
• Nuclear medicine
• Nursing home care
• Palliative/hospice care
• Psychiatry and other mental health care
• Radiation oncology
• Stereotactic radiosurgery

Many prominent physicians, residents, and interns provide care at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Its affiliation with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) and Albany Medical College allows residency programs to integrate with its daily operations completely.

The VA hospital has state-of-the-art technology and offers a full range of patient care services. One of its leading programs is its comprehensive cancer care center, which treats veterans with mesothelioma.

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Albany Stratton VA Location & Overview

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is located in New York State’s capital, 150 miles up the Hudson River northwest of New York City. This capital region is called the crossroads of the east. It is the main connector between upstate New York and the neighboring states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is located at 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center Fast Facts

• 117 hospital beds in its main facility
• Treats about 50,000 patients each year between the main center and community-based clinics
• Recognized as a comprehensive cancer center by the American College of Surgeons
• Member of the American Hospital Association for over 50 years
• Ranked as a “Top Performer” nationwide by Joint Commission
• Joint Commission accredited complexity level 1c facility
• Recognized as a Top VA 1c Hospital nationwide
• Part of Veterans Integrated Service Network 2 (VISN 2) or New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network
• Operates a Vet Center, Fisher House, 11-Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and one satellite clinic

U.S. Military Veterans and Mesothelioma Care

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, which was widely used throughout all military branches for decades.

Most people will be exposed to asbestos throughout their lifetimes. However, the risk of developing asbestos cancer increases significantly with repeated exposure, especially over a long period. Unfortunately, this is the case for many military veterans, which increases their risk.

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may not even know their condition is due to their service because it usually isn’t detected until 10-50 years after asbestos exposure.

Fortunately, the U.S. government is aware of the tragic situation. It is prepared to offer specialized care at one of the country’s top mesothelioma treatment centers, such as Albany Stratton Medical Center.

If you want assistance finding treatment from a specialist, we can help you find a top doctor and cancer center for your diagnosis — try our Free Doctor Match today.

Cancer Care at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the American College of Surgeons.

Its cancer care program also holds continuous accreditation with the Commission on Cancer, ongoing since 1959. This prestigious oversight body is a consortium of professionally designated organizations dedicated to service excellence in cancer care.

Albany Stratton VA is committed to setting standards for prevention, research, and education of most cancer forms and stages. This includes providing mesothelioma patients with improved life quality and life-extending treatments.

A top priority for the Albany Stratton VA’s cancer program is curing patients of malignancy. If not possible, the program is designed to maintain quality of life by managing cancer symptoms and spread.

These are the core components of Albany Stratton VA Medical Center’s cancer program:

• Clinical Services: The Stratton VAMC cancer program has a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. They’re based on referrals or site assessments. Services include chemotherapy, imaging, pathology reviews, radiation oncology, and surgical intervention. Additional services are support groups, hospice, and palliative care.
• Cancer Committee: This is a multi-disciplinary health care team of physicians representing departments in diagnostic radiology, hematology/oncology, pathology, radiation oncology, and surgery. The team regularly meets with administrative and support staff to discuss individual patient cases and seek the best treatment.
• Tumor Board: The Albany Stratton tumor board meets monthly to present pathological cases and unique situations. A board approach ensures a wide range of experience and assesses unique situations. This serves to improve treatment and education within the facility and abroad.
• Screening and Prevention: Proactive and preventive cancer screenings are vital to catching tumors in the early stage. This gives the Albany Stratton cancer intervention team the best chance of managing cancer spread and reducing aggression. Part of this program includes a sophisticated database and peer review program.
• Performance Management/Quality Improvement: Albany Stratton VAMC’s vision is to be a health care provider of choice for veterans. The center’s knowledge of cancer treatment techniques ensures veterans receive excellent care by continually monitoring performance and managing quality improvements.

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center’s cancer care program regularly treats many forms of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. The facility collaborates with leading VA medical centers and private mesothelioma cancer treatment centers.

Mesothelioma Treatment at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Albany Stratton VAMC aims to continuously provide the highest quality medical services through technical excellence and quality improvements. Internationally recognized physicians and support staff provide research into disease treatment as well as surgical and extended care.

The center’s oncology service uses advanced technologies and skilled medical professionals who take a holistic approach to cancer treatment.

Cancer care at Albany Stratton VAMC involves an entire patient well-being program, including body, mind, and spirit.

Depending on each patient’s case, mesothelioma treatment may include the following:

• Surgical intervention to remove tumors and cancer cell growth
• Immunotherapy helps the immune system naturally heal the body
• Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to shrink and kill tumors
• Radiotherapy, or high-energy radiation, to stop cancerous cells
• Palliative care to help relieve pain and control symptoms and side effects, such as nausea

Albany Stratton VA utilizes state-of-the-art technology such as TomoTherapy® and da Vinci® Robotic Surgery.

Extensive diagnostic laboratory medicine and radiology are also offered. This includes computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Social Programs and Services at Albany Stratton

• Caregiver Support: The VA assists caregivers of veterans with serious illnesses or disabilities, including training, counseling, and respite care. Support is available at the Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
• Homeless Veteran Care: Veterans facing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless due to various challenges can access transitional and supportive housing programs, job training, addiction treatment, and healthcare services.
• LGBTQ+ Veteran Care: Veterans identifying as LGBTQ+ receive sensitive and high-quality healthcare services, including hormone therapy, substance use treatment, HIV/STI testing and treatment, and mental health care.
• Minority Veteran Care: The VA’s Minority Veterans Program addresses the specific needs of Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American veterans by offering tailored services, benefits, and support.
• Patient Advocates: Patient advocates at VA Albany Health Care work tirelessly to ensure veterans receive the best possible care, advocate for patient and family rights, and provide specialized support to various veteran groups.
• Registry Exams: Veterans exposed to toxic chemicals or hazards during their military service can receive free exams to identify potential health risks. These exams help the VA monitor and better serve veterans.
• Returning Service Member Care: Post-9/11 veterans can access transition and care management services to readjust to civilian life and access healthcare, mental health services, education, and career counseling.
• Telehealth Care: The VA Albany Healthcare System also offers telehealth options, including video visits, remote care, and telephone consultations, ensuring veterans can access care conveniently from their homes or other locations.

Research & Clinical Trials at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center staff includes internationally renowned medical researchers in conditions like cancer, pneumonia, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The VA hospital’s funded research and development program includes:

• Biomedical Laboratory Research
• Clinical Trials Research
• Health Services Research

Participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial is one of the best ways for patients to access life-extending experimental therapies.

Albany Stratton VA has access to an active accredited research program as part of the VA Albany Healthcare System. The program offers veterans the opportunity to join research and clinical trials.

If you are interested in experimental treatments, speak with your doctor about whether clinical trials could be a good fit for you.

Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to ensure you get the answers you need.

Albany VA Recent News

Albany’s Stratton VA hospital may be replaced with a new $1.5 billion “Albany VA Medical Center,” according to the federal Asset and Infrastructure Review report by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

This replacement comes as the current facility no longer aligns with modern health standards, and revamping it would be cost-prohibitive. Additional VA sites in Troy, Schenectady, and Clifton Park are set to close, but a new outpatient clinic is planned for Saratoga Springs.

While there is a consensus on the need for upgrades, the actual realization of a new facility could span over two decades. This proposal is part of a broader national review, with potential changes several years away, subject to various reviews and approvals.

Seeking Treatment at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Enrolling in the Albany Stratton VAMC cancer care program is open to all qualified United States military veterans. Eligibility includes veterans who were honorably discharged from their military branch.

Veterans with mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos during service qualify for 100% disability, meaning their cancer treatment will be provided at little or no cost.

Albany Stratton VAMC accepts veterans with mesothelioma from across the country due to the specialized nature of the disease. However, veterans must be enrolled in the VA Health Care System, which isn’t always automatic.

Printed copies of the VA enrollment form can also be delivered in person or mailed to the Albany Stratton VA center.

Veteran applicants must include this information:

• Copy of both sides of the applicant’s current insurance card, including Medicare and Medicaid
• Copy of the DD214 “Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge”

Call or chat with our Patient Advocates if you would like dedicated help through this process. They can answer your questions and connect you with a VA Claims Agent as needed.