Fisher House Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting military and veteran families during times of medical crisis. The foundation constructs homes near military and VA medical centers worldwide, including a facility on the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System property in Oakland. When Fisher House Foundation builds a Fisher House on VA property, the ownership is transferred to the Veterans Health Administration upon completion. At that time, the VA assumes operational responsibility and provides management and maintenance staff.
These homes provide free accommodation for families of hospitalized service members and veterans, allowing them to stay close to their loved ones during treatment. By offering free boarding, the foundation has saved military and veteran families an estimated $610 million in out-of-pocket expenses for lodging.
In this month’s Perspective, we talk with Heather Frantz, manager of the VA Pittsburgh Fisher House. You can learn more about the Fisher House programs on their website at fisherhouse.org. To learn more about the VA Pittsburgh Fisher House you can go to their website at pittsburghfisherhouse.org.
North Hills Monthly (NHM): Can you describe the primary mission of the Fisher House?
Heather Franz (Franz): We’re part of the VA, and we provide a free place for families while their loved ones receive in-patient care at the VA or at another facility where the VA is coordinating the care. Thanks to the Veterans Choice Program, they can get care at another medical facility and the VA pays for it. The VA works closely with UPMC and other healthcare systems in the region. If we don’t have the facilities to care for the patient, we can refer them out.
NHM: How many families can the Pittsburgh Fisher House accommodate simultaneously?
Franz: There are 10 suites in the house. Each suite has its own bedroom and bathroom, like a hotel room setup. Beyond that, the Fisher House provides a home-like setting with a shared living room, kitchen, laundry room, library, and beautiful back patio. The kitchen is fully stocked and well-equipped with anything needed for meal preparation. The Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House, a nonprofit organization that supports us, provides groceries every week. Our refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets are filled with meals and snacks, everything anyone would need. They usually provide one prepared meal per week. Volunteer groups come in another two to three times a week with prepared meals to help the families.
NHM: What is a typical length of stay for Fisher House guests?
Franz: Our monthly average is around six days. However, the way Fisher House works, once the family checks in, they can stay at the Fisher House free of charge until the veteran is discharged from in-patient care. The only caveat is they must use the room every day. The house is generally full, with needing to place around five to seven families at local hotels each month using donated funds.
NHM: How does the referral process work?
Franz: Families who need our assistance can contact a social worker through the VA and request a Fisher House consultation. If you’re not sure how to do this, families can also call the Fisher House directly at 412-360-2030.
NHM: What criteria do you use to determine eligibility for staying at the Fisher House?
Franz: Families must live more than 50 miles away. People also must be able to take care of themselves. The Fisher House allows children, but they must be supervised and able to visit their loved one in the hospital. Young children who don’t meet hospital visitation requirements must have a caregiver to stay at the house with them.
NHM: What amenities are provided to guests during their stay?
Franz: Beyond the fully stocked kitchen, in-suite rooms, and laundry facilities, the most important feature is the social setting and ability to talk to other families and individuals in similar situations. They create a support group within the house that’s beneficial to everyone because they can learn about new VA benefits or just get some empathy from people going through the same thing. There are a lot of lifelong friendships that have come out of the Fisher House.
We also provide a free shuttle service from the Fisher House to the VA or the other hospitals where the veterans’ is receiving care. The Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House provides complimentary Lyft services if families want to go to the store or need a ride to the airport.
NHM: How does the Fisher House coordinate with the VA?
Franz: Besides the referrals for stays, we work very closely with the veteran’s care team to ensure the families and their loved ones get the support they need. We share information, especially in critical care situations, to best support the families while they’re with us.
NHM: How is the Fisher House funded and maintained?
Franz: We’re funded through the VA and through local nonprofit groups and donors. Once the Fisher House Foundation donates the house to the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), VAPHS assumes responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the house and management of the employees. The extra guest amenities are where our volunteers and nonprofits like the Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House provide support. Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House provide amenities such as groceries, transportation, catered meals, updated room decor, and bottled water service.
NHM: Can you share a success story or memorable experience?
Franz: One of the most amazing things is watching families support one another. I’ve been there to witness a spouse or brother or sister struggling because their family member may be close to the end of life, and other family members will sit and wait with them or offer support when they come back from a tough visit at the hospital. They give them a hug, a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen. That’s probably one of the most beautiful things about Fisher House.
NHM: Are there any plans for expansion?
Franz: Yes. Site prep is underway for a new house to accommodate the demand. It will be at the H. John Heinz VA Medical Center in Aspinwall. It will have 16 rooms with the other same shared features as our Oakland facility. Groundbreaking is expected next year in late spring or summer. The cool thing about this new facility is it’s close to our community living center, which serves as a nursing home for the VA. It’ll provide support for those veterans’ families to come visit who couldn’t before because there were no nearby accommodations. The rehabilitation facility, homeless veterans’ program, and addiction recovery center also are located at the Aspinwall site, so the new Fisher House can support the families of those veterans as well.
NHM: How can community members volunteer at the Fisher House?
Franz: The way that helps us the most is either providing a prepared meal or having a catered meal delivered. Then families don’t have to think about it. It’s one less stress off their plate when they return from a long day at the hospital to a warm meal. Another way is to donate grab-and-go snack bags for guests to take to the hospital for long visitation hours. Include a notebook and pen for taking notes with the doctor. We also love group projects like tidying up around the house, deep cleaning and organizing, and getting the outdoor areas ready for the seasons. If groups or individuals would like to donate or volunteer, they can reach out to the Fisher House directly at 412-360-2030.
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