The primary customer is the veteran patient. Highest priority is given to veterans with medical conditions or injuries related to their service in the military, and to those veterans with limited resources who otherwise would have difficulty obtaining the care they need. CVAMC offers a broad range of services to other eligible veterans as well. Other customers include the families of veteran patients, the veterans support organizations (VSO), the trainees including residents and medical students, and the staff at the other VISN facilities. There is a special relationship with the University of Cincinnati. This involves all three major missions of this medical center. The majority of the staff physicians have joint appointments with the University. Some specialized care is provided through sharing agreements with the University, including radiation therapy, special radiological studies, and cardiac surgery. The CVAMC is a major teaching center for many of the University's residents and medical students. The CVAMC also supports researchers with joint appointments at the University. There is a partnership between the unions and the Medical Center. Finally, there is a partnership between the Medical Center and a local elementary school.