Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Augusta VA complete first joint surgical case under new partnership
FORT GORDON, Ga. Oct. 13, 2026 — Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center and the Charlie Norwood Augusta VA Medical Center completed their first pilot surgical case, marking a historic collaboration designed to preserve and expand access to surgical care for Veterans.
The pilot case involved an ophthalmic surgery performed at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. Operating room teams from both organizations worked jointly during the procedure, which was successfully completed.
The milestone represents the first surgery conducted under a resource-sharing agreement between the Augusta VA Medical Center and Eisenhower Army Medical Center. The partnership was established following recent disruption to VA operating room capabilities and is intended to strengthen clinical capacity, improve access to care and build enduring readiness across the Augusta community.
“This is a fantastic collaboration,” said Dr. Monali Sakhalkar, an ophthalmologist at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center who performed the surgery at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. “A lot of people made it happen, so success goes to everyone who was involved in this venture. Hopefully, we can continue this path.”
A recognition ceremony honored key VA and DDEAMC contributors whose efforts enabled the first case. Current integration includes personnel from the post-anesthesia care unit, operating room, and sterile processing departments.
The partnership also recognized the enabling support departments that helped establish the integrated surgical capability: Credentialing, Information Management Division, Hospital Education and Staff Development, Human Resources Onboarding, Linen, Perioperative Nursing, Badging and Pharmacy.
“This has been a big triumph for us, and we’re very happy to be able to collaborate and partner up,” said Deena Matayabas, senior health system specialist advisor to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center executive leadership team. “We have been able to identify areas where we each have resources but didn’t have a full picture to come together.”
Matayabas noted that the partnership helps align complementary strengths across both health care systems. “DDEAMC has providers with limited nurses on staff, while we at Augusta VA have a little bit more nursing staff, but not as many providers,” she said. “If you look from the top down, you see two big pieces of the puzzle.” Col. Rose Freeman, commander and director of Eisenhower Army Medical Center, said the collaboration will help both organizations prepare for future demands on the regional health care system.
“We want this to be an active, bilateral partnership so as we move forward, as we recognize what is happening globally and, in our community,” Freeman said. “We want to make sure that we’re ready. We want to be ready, so we don’t have to get ready.”
The first joint surgery establishes a foundation for continued clinical collaboration, expanded treatment options and stronger resource sharing between the two organizations.
Through a shared commitment to quality care and respect for every Veteran, DDEAMC and the Augusta VA Medical Center are uniting military and civilian expertise to deliver better outcomes.
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