Whole Health Program

Stored: Whole Health Program

Whole Health Program
Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	Veterans Health Administration
Top Organization	Department of Veterans Affairs
Creation Legislation	Executive Order 13822
Website	Website
Purpose	Whole Health Program empowers Veterans with personalized plans for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, shifting to a holistic care approach.
Program Start	2018
Initial Funding	Not publicly specified
Duration	Ongoing
Historic	No

The Whole Health Program (WHP) is an initiative by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs, launched to transform healthcare delivery for Veterans across the United States. The program emphasizes a holistic approach, prioritizing what matters most to Veterans rather than solely addressing medical conditions, integrating conventional care with complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and acupuncture. Initially rolled out in 2018 at 18 flagship facilities, it has since expanded to embed Whole Health principles into primary care, mental health services, and beyond, fostering self-care and skill-building to improve Veterans’ overall quality of life.

Official Site

Goals

Empower Veterans to develop personalized health plans based on their values, needs, and goals.
Enhance Veteran well-being through self-care education and complementary health approaches.
Achieve cultural transformation within the VHA by integrating Whole Health into routine care, targeting full implementation across all VA facilities over time.

Organization

The Whole Health Program is managed by the VHA’s Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, which oversees its implementation and expansion across VA medical centers. The program is structured around three core components: the Pathway, which involves peer-led exploration of personal goals; Well-being Programs, offering classes and CIH services; and Whole Health Clinical Care, blending conventional and integrative treatments. Funding primarily comes from the VHA budget, though specific initial allocations are not publicly detailed. Governance involves coordination between facility-level Whole Health coordinators and national leadership to ensure consistency and adaptability. The leader of the program holds the title of **Executive Director of the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation**, currently occupied by Tracy Gaudet, M.D., who has spearheaded the initiative since its inception.

History

The Whole Health Program originated from a decades-long shift within the VHA toward patient-centered care, gaining formal momentum with Executive Order 13822, signed in 2018, titled “Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition from Uniformed Service to Civilian Life.” This order highlighted the need for a seamless transition for Veterans, incorporating Whole Health as a key strategy. The program was established to address gaps in traditional healthcare by focusing on Veterans’ holistic needs, with initial deployment at 18 flagship sites like the W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina. It has evolved through pilot phases, expanding to include Transition Assistance Program sessions and women-specific services, with ongoing plans to integrate it fully into VHA workflows by enhancing staff training and Veteran access. Its sustainability relies on continued congressional support and VA budget prioritization.

Funding

The Whole Health Program’s funding is drawn from the broader VHA budget, though exact initial amounts remain unspecified in public records. Funding began in 2018 with the program’s launch, supported by existing VA resources and reallocation for pilot sites. As an ongoing program, its financing has no defined end date, with additional resources authorized as it scales, such as for staff training and CIH service expansion. The program leverages federal appropriations, with recent proposals like the 2025 copayment exemption for Whole Health services indicating sustained financial commitment.

Implementation

The program is carried out through a phased rollout, starting with flagship facilities in 2018 and expanding via training for primary care and mental health teams. Methods include peer-led courses like “Introduction to Whole Health” and “Taking Charge of My Life and Health,” alongside one-on-one health coaching and CIH offerings. Strategies focus on embedding Whole Health into daily clinical encounters, using tools like the Personal Health Inventory to guide Veterans’ plans. There is no defined end date, as it aims for permanent integration into VHA care delivery.

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