This year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

A news release says staff from Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital will join VA employees across the country as part of a yearlong celebration to recognize VHA’s commitment to the nation’s heroes. The celebration began on Tuesday, January 12.

Originally established in 1946 as the Department of Medicine and Surgery, VHA has evolved to meet the unique challenges and care needs of Veterans from every era and at every stage of their lives. For 75 years, VHA’s mission has been to deliver quality healthcare, train future medical professionals and contribute to medical science through research discoveries.

Since Truman VA opened its doors in 1972, health professionals have made wide-reaching contributions to the medical community. Additionally, VA staff from across the country have worked to improve the health and quality of life not only for Veterans, but also for the entire nation. Services and technologies developed by the VA have changed the way healthcare providers across the country practice medicine.