Brief Description

BPF is a private, nonprofit entity incorporated in December 1989 in the State of Florida. It is affiliated with, but legally distinct from the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS). Its purpose is to support the research and education activities of its associates, all of whom hold appointments at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors, which sets policy that is administered on a day to day basis by its own personnel.

BPF Mission Statement: To advance the research and education mission of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System by facilitating scientific healthcare studies and professional development that improves veterans’ health outcomes.

BPF Vision Statement: To honor the service of Veterans by empowering their health through research and education in full collaboration with our community and engagement of our partners.

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center is a level 1a, tertiary care facility located on 337 acres situated on the Gulf of Mexico, approximately eight miles northwest of downtown Saint Petersburg, FL. Co—located on the medical center campus are a VA Regional Office and a National Cemetery. This area is part of Tampa Bay, the second most populated metropolitan area in the state. The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System operates nine facilities to include the main medical center located in Bay Pines and outpatient clinics located in Bradenton, Cape Coral, Naples, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Sebring. The medical center and its outpatient clinics serve Veterans residing in 10 counties in central southwest Florida to include Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota. Every year, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System serves more than 100,000 Veterans while providing a full range of high quality medical, psychiatric, and extended care services in outpatient, inpatient, residential, nursing home, and home care settings. The system is the 4th busiest VA healthcare system in the country in regards to patients treated or served.