Collis Warner Foundation’s $1 million gift fuels psychiatry residency program at Inova Fairfax Hospital

Falls Church, VA – Inova is proud to announce a generous $1 million gift from the Collis Warner Foundation to support Inova’s innovative psychiatry residency program. The four-year training program, developed in partnership with Inova Fairfax Hospital and the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI), offers residents the opportunity to train within two of Northern Virginia’s most respected behavioral health institutions that serve the majority of hospitalized behavioral health patients in the Northern Virginia region.

“At the Collis Warner Foundation, we believe that mental health is fundamental to the wellbeing of every community,” said Senator Mark Warner, Director, Collis Warner Foundation. “By investing in this residency program, we are helping to ensure that Northern Virginia has the skilled professionals it needs to provide compassionate, high-quality care for generations to come.” 

This investment will enable Inova to attract and train top-tier psychiatry residents, creating a robust pipeline of future psychiatrists dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of patients across Northern Virginia regardless of ability to pay. The program is expected to increase the number of behavioral health professionals in the region, improve continuity of care, and enhance opportunities for teaching and mentorship among current physicians.

“The generous support from the Collis Warner Foundation marks a pivotal step in furthering Inova’s commitment to behavioral health,” said Sage Bolte, PhD, President of Inova Health Foundation. “Gifts like this are why behavioral health is a pillar of Inova’s Do. More. Together. campaign – empowering us to fulfill our nonprofit mission and build a sustainable mental health workforce pipeline that will serve Northern Virginia now and in the future.”

The Collis Warner Foundation is a private foundation based in Alexandria, VA, dedicated to supporting organizations and initiatives that contribute to the community and promote various causes. The foundation’s gift is a vital part of Do. More. Together., Inova’s $500 million fundraising campaign, dedicated to elevating the highest quality care for every patient we have the privilege to serve.

Eric Alcera, MD, President of Inova Behavioral Health Services, added, “Developing a psychiatry residency program has long been a strategic priority for Inova, and this gift will ensure our ability to further invest in the ongoing education and training of our residents and faculty. Training the next generation of psychiatrists alongside NVMHI strengthens our ability to meet rising behavioral health volume and acuity with expertise, compassion, and continuity of care. Residency programs also attract physicians who are passionate about teaching and mentoring future leaders in behavioral health, further enhancing our recruitment and retention efforts.”

To learn more about the psychiatry residency program or to support Inova’s Do. More. Together. campaign, please visit Inova.org.

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About Inova                                                           

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury, and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology, and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement and commitment to continuous improvement.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.