VA Portland Health Care System Named One Of Five VA Sites To Test Efficacy Of Psilocybin As Treatment For Depression - 08/07/26

VA Portland HCS today announced its participation in a new clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of psilocybin to treat major depression in Veterans, including those with concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The new trial comes after President Trump’s recent executive order on “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness.” Among other things, the order aims to increase clinical trial participation and accelerate innovative research models and drug approvals for psychedelic drugs.

“VA Portland is committed to exploring every evidence-based avenue to improve the mental health and well‑being of the Veterans we serve,” said Karla Azcuy Director of The VA Portland HCS “By participating in this trial, our facility is helping advance innovative research into new treatment options that may offer meaningful relief for Veterans, both here in the Portland/Vancouver area and across the country.”

VA’s trial, titled "Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression," or PIVOT, reflects VA's commitment to pursuing innovative, evidence-based solutions for Veterans who have not responded to existing treatments.

The randomized, controlled trial will enroll Veterans diagnosed with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, with or without concurrent PTSD, and will compare outcomes between two dosages of psilocybin. The study will measure effectiveness by comparing participants’ levels of depression before treatment and after treatment. It will also assess PTSD symptom severity, tolerability of side effects, and overall patient-reported depression.

The health and safety of Veterans who choose to participate in this trial is VA’s top priority. Investigational treatments will be delivered in a safe, controlled, clinical setting using pharmaceutical-grade drugs under careful quality controls, stringent safety protocols that were developed with FDA, and in a setting that includes psychological support.

Psychedelic drugs are a class of substances that alter consciousness or awareness and can be organically or synthetically produced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to several companies developing psychedelic substances, including MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD, allowing for expedited review of these drugs. Clinical use of these therapies outside of research will only be considered by VA once FDA approval is granted.

VA strongly discourages self-medicating or attempting to replace other mental health treatment options with psychedelics or any other unprescribed substances. Proven, evidence-based treatments, are currently available at VA facilities to treat Veterans with mental health conditions. Veterans should always consult their health care providers before making any treatment decisions.

The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07226232).

For more information, contact Megan Crowley at megan.crowley@va.gov or 503915807.

VA Portland Healthcare System Named One Of 18 VA Sites To Test Efficacy Of GLP-1 As Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder - 07/31/26

PORTLAND, Oregon — VA Portland Healthcare System today announced its participation in a new clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat diabetes, as treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Currently, more than 400,000 Veterans nationwide are diagnosed with AUD, and some estimates say AUD affects nearly 11% of U.S. adults.

“AUD affects many Veterans in our community, and we are proud to support research that seeks better treatments,” said Karla Azcuy, director of Portland VA Healthcare System. “By contributing to research that explores new treatment options for AUD, we are helping drive innovations that could improve the health and lives of the Veterans we serve and civilian populations outside of VA.”

Semaglutide has drawn scientific interest because it may affect the parts of the brain involved in how the body experiences rewards. An analysis published in March found that patients receiving GLP‑1 medications experience lower rates of AUD and substance use disorders compared with similar patients taking other diabetes medications. The use of GLP-1 medications by people with existing substance use disorders has been associated with fewer emergency visits, hospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. These findings highlight the need for a controlled clinical trial to determine whether a GLP-1, such as semaglutide, can reduce AUD among Veterans.

The study, known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, will enroll more than 600 Veterans. Participants between the ages of 18 and 80 with moderate or severe AUD will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo over a 24‑week period, followed by a safety follow‑up. Researchers will track changes in drinking, health, and quality of life to determine whether the medication offers a meaningful new treatment option.

Recruitment begins in August 2026. For more information about participation, Veterans can contact their local VA medical center or visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search for the CRAVE trial.

VA strongly discourages self‑medicating or attempting to replace other AUD treatment options with GLP-1 medications or any other unprescribed substances. Evidence-based, proven treatments are available at VA facilities to support Veterans with AUD. Veterans should always consult their health care providers before making any treatment decisions. 

VA Awards More Than$488,500.00 To 2026 Highly Rural Transportation Grant To Assist Local Veterans With Transportation Needs - 07/31/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $488,500 in grants to 2026 Highly Rural Transportation Grant to support local Veterans with transportation needs.

The Highly Rural Transportation Grants (HRTG) program helps Veterans living in highly rural areas with free transportation to VA and VA‑authorized health care facilities.

“Transportation should never be the reason a Veteran misses needed care,” said Karla Azcuy. “These grants will help us reach Veterans in remote areas and make sure they can get to their appointments safely, reliably and without added stress.”

The HRTG program provides funding to Veteran Service Organizations and State Veterans Service Agencies that serve counties with fewer than seven people per square mile. This year, VA awarded more than $6.1 million in grants through HRTG. The program reduces transportation barriers for rural Veterans so they can get essential medical care, including primary care, specialty appointments and mental health services.

Since the HRTG program launched in 2014, VA has awarded more than $46 million to organizations in 15 states, U.S. territories and tribal lands. These grants help ensure that Veterans in remote communities can reach health care services despite long distances, limited public transportation and other geographic challenges.

Veterans in highly rural areas can visit www.va.gov/resources/transportation-to-va-health-appointments-in-highly-rural-areas/ to locate resources in their area.

VA Portland Health Care System To Host National Afternoon Out Event - 07/28/26

PORTLAND, Ore.– The Portland VA Health Care System is scheduled to host a “National Afternoon Out” event, patterned after the popular “National Night Out”, being held across the country. The national event is a community-building campaign which promotes first responder-community partnerships.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Vancouver VA Medical Center, located at 1601 E. 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661.

Hosted by the VA Police Department, Veterans and neighbors are invited to the Vancouver VA campus to meet with VA and local first responders in a community-building event which promotes strong partnerships and camaraderie to ensure our VA Clinics are safe and caring places to visit and work. The event also serves as an opportunity for Veterans and their families to learn more about the wealth of resources, programs, and benefits available to them with the Portland VA Health Care System.

Throughout the event, attendees can explore a wide range of informational booths and talk directly with experts about programs designed to support Veterans and their loved ones. Topics include Caregiver Support Programs, healthcare services, mental health and wellness resources, crisis intervention support, benefits assistance, housing programs, and tools for navigating life transitions after service. In addition to resource education, families can enjoy demonstrations, interactive activities, and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with the VA Police Officers who proudly serve the VA community.

This National Afternoon Out is more than a safety event—it’s a commitment to ensuring every Veteran and family member feels informed, supported, and connected. We welcome all Veterans, families, caregivers, and community partners to join us in celebrating community, resilience, and service.

As a Federal agency, VA Portland Health Care System cannot endorse, recommend, or imply a referral to any non-government organization, including National Night Out.

VA Portland Health Care System Receives Funding For Continued Infrastructure Improvements - 07/22/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – VA Portland Health Care System received funding for Non-recurring Maintenance projects in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, after receiving funding in the year.

The funding is part of a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities in FY2026 via the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-recurring Maintenance program.

Funding for VA Portland Health Care System improvement projects for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 are:

• Vancouver Campus – Bldg. 2 HVAC – Laundry and Warehouse upgrade for ventilation, heating and cooling
• Portland Campus – Electrical – improves hospital electrical resilience, replaces 75 large breakers, and improves chilled water production
• Vancouver Campus – CLC Med Gas Outlets – E-wing (Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit) medical gas replacement
• Vancouver & Portland Campus – EHRM Phase 2 – completes information technology requirements for September 2027 Federal EHR deployment

“This funding allows VA Portland Health Care System to continue modernizing and improving, so our facility remains safe, efficient, and equipped to provide high-quality care for our Veterans in the Portland-Metro area,” said Karla Azcuy, Director.

Of the total $4.8 billion committed for fiscal year 2026, VA has obligated a total of $2.2 billion. Obligation of funds includes:

• $915 million to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical facilities.
• $229 million for maintenance and modernization of facility infrastructure to support future electronic health record system updates.
• $11 million for major building upgrades like elevators, electrical systems, and boiler plants.

This investment is just one of many ways the Trump Administration is making VA work better for Veterans. For example, VA has: 

• Enrolled more than 180,000 new Veterans in VA health care in 2026. 
• Opened 38 new VA health care facilities since Jan. 20, 2025, expanding health care access for Veterans around the country. 
• Reduced the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by 72% since Jan. 20, 2025.
• Offered Veterans more than 2.8 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• Offered Veterans more than 2.3 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care. 
• Permanently housed 51,936 homeless Veterans across the country in FY25, the highest total in seven years.