Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability: H.J. Heinz III Campus has wheelchairs upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.

Van services for Veterans

DAV vans

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., individual van schedules vary

We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.

Non-DAV van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county

Shuttle service at H.J. Heinz

Cost: Free
Schedule: Monday through Friday, except holidays
See complete shuttle schedule 

Shuttle routes serving this location

University Drive campus – Heinz

Local transit services

Port Authority of Allegheny County

Bus
Light rail
ACCESS paratransit, serving people with limited mobility

Other services

Paratransit service (p.r.n. Health Service)– 412-824-2181 or 1-800-860-8222

Transcare ambulance – 412-373-0200

Additional travel options

Our printable transportation guide has an extensive list of transportation options from across the region, including VA shuttles, taxi companies, and local transit services in many counties. It also includes information on shuttle services to University Drive from other VA facilities in the region, where you can transfer to a Heinz shuttle.

Beneficiary travel

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

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Hours

Lobby entrance: All entrants must enter through building 71 to undergo screening for COVID-19. An additional screening point at building 50 will operate from 6 a.m. Monday through Friday at midnight. 

General visiting: Compassionate care visits for Veterans at the end of life are arranged through the Veteran’s care team. In-person visitation is available by appointment but may be revoked for a unit should an inpatient or staff member there test positive for COVID-19. 

REMINDER: Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer before and after each visitation.

Adult Day Health Care

Adult Day Health Care is temporarily closed.

Visitor policies

All authorized Community Living Center entrants will:

• Enter through one of two access points (all other entrances are closed):
  • The Ambulatory Care Center (building 71)
  • Building 50 screening point during limited hours (6 a.m. Monday through midnight Friday)
• Be screened for fever, cough and shortness of breath

The way we screen visitors for COVID-19 changes often. Please be patient with our screeners and practice social distancing when waiting in line:

• Stay six feet from others.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands frequently – wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Visitors who screen positive will not be granted access to the Community Living Center.

Do not visit patients if you:

• Have a fever or cough
• Are feeling sick
• Are age 18 or younger

See VA Pittsburgh's full visitation policy

Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight in the medical center itself. Here are some other options.

Accommodations solely for Veterans and families

VA Hoptel and lodging program

Temporary overnight lodging for eligible Veterans for outpatient medical procedures.

More info
Phone: 412-360-6233

Fisher House

A place for visiting families to stay, free of charge, while their loved ones receive inpatient medical care.

More info: http://www.pittsburghfisherhouse.org/
Phone: 412-360-2032

Family House

A special home away from home for patients and/or families who travel to Pittsburgh for treatment of serious or life-threatening illnesses. Family House has four locations in the area.

More info: http://www.familyhouse.org/
Phone: 412-647-7777

Nearby hotels

When booking, ask for the hospital rate. Many hotels have shuttle service to VA hospitals. Check with the hotel you’re staying at.

• Hampton Inn & Suites Harmarville
  412-423-1100 or 1-800-426-7866

• Holiday Inn Express Harmarville
  1-877-410-6667

• TownePlace Suites Harmarville
  412-423-1900 or 1-800-721-7033

NOTE: These links are provided for your convenience only. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System does not endorse and is not responsible for the content on the linked web sites.

Visit Pittsburgh

The official tourism and promotion agency for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County has up-to-date listings for area hotels, as well as activities, transportation, restaurants, shops and more. http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/

Food and drink

Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Patriot Café

Serves hot and cold entrees, beverages and desserts.

Building 51
First floor
Hours
Temporarily closed.

VCS Patriot Brew (Starbucks)

Serves a variety of pastries, light sandwiches and beverages.

Ambulatory Care Center
First floor
Hours
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Closed weekends

Vending machines

Drinks and snacks are available around the clock.

Banking

Retail

VCS Patriot Store 

A full-service retail store with such products as electronics, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing. Purchases are tax-free.

Building 51
First floor
Hours
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Closed weekends

Veterans have access to traditional library services at H.J. Heinz:

• Newspapers, books and magazines
• Internet access
• Assistance with researching and reference
• Borrowing books
• Veteran and family consumer health materials

Building 51
Near the Recreation Hall
Phone: 412-822-1748
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Building 51 
First floor
Hours: 24/7

Chaplains

When you’re admitted, you can request or decline visits by a VA chaplain. Our chaplains provide spiritual, pastoral, and emotional care for you and your family, in accordance with your own beliefs and practices. This includes locating clergy or religious leaders in the community for needs that our chaplain staff cannot meet.

Interfaith chapel

The chapel is open to anyone at any time for quiet meditation and reflection. The chapel also hosts regularly scheduled services for many denominations. Services are recorded and broadcast at H.J. Heinz on channel 75.

Learn how to request chaplain services during your stay at VA Pittsburgh.

Use these maps to help you get around the campus.

• Full H.J. Heinz III campus map
• Floor plans for the Ambulatory Care Center