Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability:  Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.

Local transportation services

Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center has its own internal program to transport Veterans with special needs, who require help getting to an appointment. Requests for transportation to appointments or discharge from inpatient wards can be fulfilled on space-available vehicles.

To request a VTS ride, a Veteran (or caregiver or VA nurse/provider) can call our Dispatch Office. Resources are very limited and in much demand, so as much advance notice as possible is needed.

The Veteran will be picked up by VA drivers and given ‘door-to-door’ service from their home to their appointment and back.

There is no cost to the Veteran, and the only eligibility requirement is to be an enrolled Veteran in need of a ride to an appointment. Call us with any questions at: 706-733-0188, ext. 28004.

Local Shuttle Bus

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center shuttle service provides safe and reliable transportation to Veterans, employees and volunteers.

The shuttle service assists outpatient Veterans and staff who use wheelchair, canes, walkers, or braces to its current shuttle.

Shuttle services are provided between our Downtown and Uptown Divisions between 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No weekends or holiday services available.

Those who need a wheelchair accessible shuttle must be accompanied by an escort. For assistance, please call 706-733-0188, extensions 27815, 27814 or 26146.

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

For questions, call: 706-733-0188, extensions 27434 or 27532.

The office fax number is: 706-731-3236. The office is located at our Uptown Division, 1st floor, room 1A106.

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (CNVAMC) Fisher House in Augusta, Georgia, is "a home away from home" and provides temporary lodging for family members of our Veterans and military service members during a medical crisis. The Fisher House enables families to be close to their loved ones during hospitalization by providing comfortable lodging in a beautiful and relaxing setting on the grounds of the Uptown Division CNVAMC. Families stay at the Fisher House free of charge.

The CNVAMC Fisher House consists of one full-time manager, one assistant manager, one program support assistant, and one housekeeper all employed by the VA. The CNVAMC Fisher House relies on community and volunteer support to maintain the home. The CNVAMC Fisher House is a 16,800-square foot home with 20 private guest suites. Each guest suite has its own private bed and bathroom with a shower. Other amenities include a common kitchen, laundry room, spacious dining room, living room, and a family room with a library of various games and a large flat screen television.


Eligibility Requirements:  

● Guests must be a family member or caregiver of the active duty member or Veteran who are in-patients at the CNVAMC.

● Guests must reside 50 or miles from the CNVAMC.
● Guests must be self-sufficient and able to independently care for themselves or be accompanied by a caregiver.
● Guests must be able to stay in an unsupervised setting and abide by all house guidelines and regulations.
● Guests must be actively involved in the hospitalized Veteran’s or active duty member’s treatment plan and provide ongoing bedside support during the episode of care.

How do I make a referral? To make arrangements for families or loved ones to stay at the CNVAMC Fisher House, contact your Veterans Social Worker or directly to make a referral. Social workers submit Fisher House referrals by conducting a screening interview using the eligibility criteria in the Fisher House consult menu. If you do not have an assigned social worker, your provider (primary care physician or nurse practitioner) is able to make the referral as well. Referrals to the Fisher House should be done in advance. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served, space available basis.  Referrals are based on eligibility criteria being met and room availability. Fisher House Staff cannot confirm availability with guests until 24 hours prior to the requested date.

Volunteers and Community Support needed: The Fisher House depends on volunteers and donors to enhance daily operation and program expansion.  There are many ways for individuals or groups to volunteer and help our Veteran and military families. There are regular volunteer opportunities for those who are interested in having a consistent volunteer schedule, as well as occasional opportunities for groups or individuals who are interested in volunteering.

Support the CNVAMC Fisher House: You can be a part of the Fisher House mission.  The CNVAMC Fisher House depends on donations from individuals and groups to support its programs.  Funds will be used to support the ongoing, daily needs of the Fisher House as well as to enhance the stay of Fisher House guests.  Donations of meals, snacks, bottled water, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, paper products; kitchen staples, including sugar, sugar substitutes, liquid coffee creamer, milk and fresh fruit are always appreciated.  By donating directly to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, you can be assured that 100% of your donation will be used to support CNVAMC Fisher House.

To learn more about Fisher House, volunteer opportunities, request our wish list, or make a tax deductible donation to the CNVAMC Fisher House, please contact the Fisher House Manager at 706-729-5773 or 706-729-5776.  Checks can be mailed to the address below, made payable to CNVAMC Fisher House.

Our address:
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Attn:  Fisher House
1 Freedom Way
Augusta, GA 30904