Committed To Veterans
As a member of one of the world's largest integrated health care systems, the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center serves as the primary health care provider for more than 50,000 veterans in northeastern Kansas.  The medical center is part of the Heartland Veterans Health Network which encompasses VA medical facilities in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

Dedicated Staff
Approximately 1,100 employees provide comprehensive medical care and patient services to our veterans.  The medical center is widely recognized for its expertise in the psychiatric field, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and in long term care.  Patient services are also supported by more than 800 adult and youth volunteers who provide over 20,000 hours of service annually.

The Facility
The Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center is located in Topeka, the capital city of Kansas.  The 26 building facility is housed on a 147 acre site in the southwest part of the city.  There are 445 beds devoted to the care of medical, surgical, psychiatric, rehabilitation and intermediate patient care.  In addition, there are 129 nursing home care beds.

Patient Care
The medical center uses a Primary Care concept, allowing patients to see the same physician and medical treatment team on each visit.  There are approximately 13,000 veterans seen each year on an outpatient basis.  Over 164,000 visits are made to the medical center annually by veterans.  In addition to this, a women veterans health care clinic provides medical care for more than 440 female veterans every year.  The Medical Outreach Team (MORT) provides health care assessments for veterans in Abilene, Chanute, Russell, Garnett, Lawrence, Emporia, Holton, Junction City, and Seneca.

Veterans from all over the country are referred to the Colmery-O'Neil VAMC for treatment in the areas of PTSD, psychiatric illnesses, and long term care.   Approximately 4,300 veterans are admitted annually for care.

History
The medical center was built in 1942 as an Army hospital.  At the end of World War II, it was the first Army hospital to be transferred to the VA.  On January 11, 1946, it was officially dedicated as a Veterans Administration Hospital and offered treatment to veterans with psychiatric illnesses.  During its early years of operation under the direction of Dr. Karl Menninger, the medical center trained more psychiatrists than any other medical center in the world.  Through the years, the medical center has evolved into a comprehensive health care facility meeting the needs of veterans who served during the Civil War, up through the Persian Gulf War.

Affiliations
The Colmery-O'Neil VAMC has a long standing affiliation with the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry that began with the medical center's opening in 1946 and continues today.

Directions to Site
From either Lawrence or Kansas City, take I-70 west to Topeka.  At the eastern edge of Topeka (Exit 182) get on the Kansas Turnpike (also I-470 or I-335).  Continue on I-470, past the point that I-335 splits off.  Take the Gage Blvd exit (Exit 4) off of I-470 and go north (right).  Follow Gage until the 2200 block.  The medical center will be on your right.  The pharmacy is located in the large tan brick building (long covered walkway in front) at the end of the circle drive.