Veterans introduced to EHRnie the Eagle as VA transitions to digital health records.
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center is preparing to launch a new electronic health record system in 2026.
According to a community announcement, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has included the Chillicothe facility among nine additional medical centers set to implement the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system as part of an accelerated rollout.
The new system, part of the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization initiative, aims to improve the storage and management of patient medical information. It is currently operational at six VA medical centers and 26 affiliated clinics, supporting care for over 188,000 veterans.
Enhanced Care and Coordination
The Federal EHR will offer veterans a single, comprehensive lifetime health record that integrates information from the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal partners. This unified system is expected to enhance consistency in healthcare delivery while improving quality and patient safety.
It will also enable greater coordination among VA staff and clinicians, supporting more seamless care for veterans and strengthening interoperability across the broader U.S. healthcare system.
“We’re thrilled to introduce veterans in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Alaska to a modernized medical record system that will enhance care, coordination, and convenience,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins in the announcement. “The Federal EHR connects all VA and DOD systems, enabling seamless data sharing while improving care quality, patient safety, and overall service.”
EHRnie the Eagle Supporting the Transition
EHRnie the Eagle, the official mascot of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center’s new electronic health record system, is taking flight to support the transition.
EHRnie and members of the Change Leadership Team recently visited two community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in southern Ohio to share updates, discuss lessons learned, and address staff questions about the upcoming system changes.
The Chillicothe VA Medical Center is scheduled to launch the new system on June 6, 2026.
Additional Facilities Adopting the System
Along with the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, several other facilities are scheduled to implement the Federal EHR system in 2026, including:
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center – Fort Thomas (Fort Thomas, KY)
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center (Cincinnati, OH)
- Dayton VA Medical Center (Dayton, OH)
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (Cleveland, OH)
- Fort Wayne VA Medical Center (Fort Wayne, IN)
- Marion VA Medical Center (Marion, IN)
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center (Indianapolis, IN)
- Alaska VA Healthcare System (Anchorage, AK)
The Federal EHR connects all VA and DOD systems, allowing seamless data sharing while improving patient care, safety, and service quality.
For more information about the Federal Electronic Health Record System, visit digital.va.gov/ehr-modernization
