VA clinic coming to Wytheville

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Garland Eads and Ben Harmon are among the Wythe County residents who travel over 120 miles round trip for treatment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem. Their long and expensive (gasoline costs) visits will be shortened next year when a VA outpatient health care clinic comes to Wytheville.
In announcing the community-based outpatient clinic last week, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) said, “This will help address the growing health care needs of veterans living in Southwest Virginia who often lack access to VA hospitals and treatment facilities located in larger metropolis.”
According to Webb, who is a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Wytheville was selected based on a variety of criteria including veteran population, distance to other veterans’ services, accessibility, budgetary considerations and care provider partnership.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said the new Wytheville clinic and two others in the state – Emporia and Augusta County—will bring health care closer home to veterans. He noted the three new clinics will have onsite primary care staffs, easier access to primary treatment, disease prevention, early detection and health promotion.
The local clinic will provide routine laboratory and X-rays as requested. It also will prescribe medications as needed.
“It will be a well-equipped clinic for non-emergency care,” noted Dr. Dave Ramey, communications officer for the VAMC Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Southwest Virginia. “We are in the business of providing wellness and health care to those who’ve served their country and won the battle for our freedom.”
Ramey pointed out many of the other details of the new clinic have not been determined since the announcement was so recent. A committee, he said, will decide such factors as whether a new building will house the clinic or if a property is already available for leasing.
“We’re looking for a facility with an estimated 10,000 square feet,” Ramey indicated. “We could build a new building or seek out space to rent.”
Another aspect will be whether or not to contract with a local physician to provide the services.
A VA clinic similar to the one proposed for Wytheville has been operating in Hillsville since October 2007. It is located in a remodeled physicians’ office and is managed by Valor Healthcare Inc., which contracts medical services with local doctors.
While the VA clinic primarily serves veterans from the counties of Carroll, Grayson, Patrick and Pulaski, it does have some from Wythe County.
“We do see a lot of people from your way,” commented Michelle Alley, clinic administrator. “Our number of patients steadily grows every day. The clinic absolutely meets a great need.”
Harmon is one of the local veterans who was recently accepted by the Hillsville clinic. The World War II veteran had tried for months to be transferred there from the Salem clinic.
“A clinic in Wytheville would be A-1 for the veterans in Wythe County,” the Graham’s Forge area resident commented.
Eads, a Vietnam veteran and Gunton Park area resident, agreed. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Veterans will have to continue using the Salem VA medical center for specific treatments and procedures.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .