Showing posts with label Lake Nona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lake Nona. Show all posts

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Lake Nona VA Hospital Finally Opening

In 2008 the VA had a huge groundbreaking event on the property. Great food and lots of speeches. The kicker was, they handed out shovels as momentos. I have mine hanging on my wall to remind me that after all the speeches veterans needed a shovel to dig themselves out of a lot of empty words.
"No party has deserved the support of the veterans. Politicians are terrible on both sides when they are allowed to be afforded the support they do not return. Politicians are the ones who also feed the division in this nation while it's the veterans who fought for this nation. They showed us that this nation is worth fighting for and works better when we all work together."

Orlando Lake Nona VA hospital opening delayed to mid-2013, When completed, the 300-bed facility will serve Central Florida's 400,000 veterans, who comprise the nation's most active VA system but have no hospital.
VA medical training facility to be built next to hospital at Lake Nona Channel 9 was there Thursday as Sen. Bill Nelson got a look at plans for a new Veterans Affairs medical training facility that will be built next to the VA hospital project at Lake Nona.
Channel 9's Karla Ray got look at some of the simulators that will be built into the 51,000-square-foot training center. The just-announced project will be the hub for all VA physician training in the country.
VA secretary: Lake Nona hospital to open this month
13 News Orlando
By David Bodden, Reporter
Last Updated: Thursday, February 05, 2015,
McDonald said he is looking to hire thousands of health care professionals nationwide. He will be asking congress for more than $1.2 billion for the agency's next budget.
ORLANDO -- It's nearly two years overdue, but News 13 has learned the Lake Nona Veterans Administration Hospital is scheduled to open this month.

While addressing a conference of nurses at Disney's Coronado Springs resort at Thursday morning, the VA's new secretary, Bob McDonald, said the VA is in transition.

McDonald said improved health care and response time for vets are top concerns across the nation. In our area, it's getting the Lake Nona veteran's hospital open and fully functional.

After years of delays and cost overruns, some wondered if the facility would ever open.
McDonald said there was reason for concern, but now he looks forward to seeing veterans getting the help they need at the hospital.
read more here

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Fisher House Orlando VA Gets Huge Donation with a KISS

Went to Rock and Brews in Oviedo to see how many people showed up for the event today.  It was packed!

There was a huge check given to Fisher House by KISS for their new development at the Orlando VA opening in Lake Nona. 105.9 FM SUNNY was there blasting great music too.


Paco hangs out with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
From Wounded Times
(No these are not members of KISS)

I checked to see what reports have come out, but so far, nada. Will update later.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Orlando VA Medical Center is more than 95 percent complete

VA Medical Center nearly done but disputes continue
Orlando Sentinel
By Naseem S. Miller
December 27, 2014
"Lawmakers say that the House Veterans' Affairs committee will have hearings on VA hospital construction early next year."
VA Medical Center -- Ongoing construction at Lake Nona, on Thursday, September 5, 2013.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel)
After years of squabbles and delays, the long-awaited Orlando VA Medical Center is more than 95 percent complete.

If all goes as planned, the Department of Veterans Affairs will take it over in January, and the hospital will be fully operational by summer.

The $665 million, 1.2 million-square-foot facility at Medical City in Lake Nona is expected to have more than 3,500 employees and serve as many as 115,000 veterans every year.

It is also two years behind schedule and, by some estimates, more than $200 million over budget.

The hospital's groundbreaking was in October 2008, and it was expected to be finished in October 2012. Since then, deadlines have been broken as the VA and its contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie, continue to blame each other for the delays.

There have been "numerous issues that surrounded the construction delays," including problems with "contractor manpower shortages and poor management of resources," VA officials said in a statement.
read more here

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Kiss Raises Funds for Fisher House Orlando and Veterans Spirits

Join 1059 SUNNY FM for the grand opening celebration on Tuesday, January 6th at the new Rock and Brews Oviedo location! Tickets are available now for a public meet and greet event with Simmons and Stanley from 2-4 p.m.

The meet and greet, hosted by Stanley and Simmons, is open to the public. Tickets to the meet and greet are $200 per person and include two adult beverages per person or unlimited soft drinks, a sampling of Rock and Brews cuisine, and a photo opportunity with Stanley and Simmons.

A percentage of proceeds, not less than $10,000, will benefit the Orlando VA Medical Center’s new Fisher House in Lake Nona located just steps from the Orlando VAMC’s newest hospital. The Fisher House is designed for Veterans and their families to stay at during hospitalization at no cost or restriction on the length of the visit.

Click here to purchase your tickets to hang with Gene, Paul and 1059 SUNNY FM’s Domino!

Still Time To Sign Up For Fisher House News/Talk Holiday Show Morning Mouth

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 15TH, 2014 –– Fisher House Foundation and news/talk radio partner again this holiday season to bring attention to wounded warriors, veterans and military families. Fisher House is offering a three-hour, highly-produced public affairs show for air between Christmas and New Year's Day. "Zachary's Gift" tells the inspiring story of Fisher House founder Zachary Fisher through heroes served by the foundation's growing network of no-cost comfort homes built on the grounds of VA and military base hospitals. The show is free; no contract, no barter. Stations may air it multiple times. Affiliates include KABC Los Angeles, WLS Chicago, WPHT Philadelphia, KSFO San Francisco, WRKO Boston, WMAL Washington, WSB Atlanta, KTRH and KPRC Houston, KTAR Phoenix, KOA Denver, WTAM Cleveland, KFBK Sacramento, WTIC Hartford, KQTH Tucson, KSL Salt Lake City, KARN Little Rock, KRMG Tulsa and many others. "Many stations are using 'Zachary's Gift' to fill a local three-hour show on Christmas or New Year's Day," said executive producer Marshall Adams. The show's host is Mark Watkins, a radio newsroom vet who recently retired from the anchor booth at WBAP and KLIF Dallas. Jeff Davis is the show's promo voice. Jonathan Shaffer from WSM Nashville is leading production and imaging. Westwod One is handling affiliate relations pro-bono. To sign up, send a note with your planned air times to Stuart Greenblatt at sgreenblatt@westwoodone.com. Marshall Adams can answer questions about content at (412) 856-3400 or radio@fisherhouse.org.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Lake Nona VA Hospital Made Elderly Veterans Sick?

Veterans contract Legionnaires' disease from VA facility's water
News 96.5.com
September 29, 2014

ORLANDO, Fla. — News 96.5 learned three elderly veterans contracted a dangerous bacteria after moving in to a new Veterans Affairs facility in Lake Nona.

The veterans were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in July, and Health Department officials believe the bacteria was likely lingering in the water. One of the victims died after contracting the disease, but it was not the cause of death, officials said.

The Orlando Veterans Affairs Community Center opened in December, and it's the only part of the behind-schedule hospital project that's finished.

"It's isolated to this facility. Good news of it is two patients did recover. Unfortuantely one person did pass away, but that person had underlying health conditions," said Dain Weister, with the Orange County Health Department.
read more here

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lake Baldwin VA Clinic to stay open!

This is the monument right across the street from Lake Baldwin VA.

This is what we've been waiting for since the groundbreaking October 2008 when I was handed a shovel to remember the day........No need to say more.

In 'victory,' Lake Baldwin VA clinic will stay open
Orlando Sentinel
By Marni Jameson
July 29, 2014

After being threatened with a closure that would have inconvenienced thousands of area veterans, the Lake Baldwin VA Outpatient Clinic will remain open, U.S. Rep. John Mica announced Friday.

"The Baldwin Park Clinic will remain open and the medical facilities there will continue to be used to serve our veterans," Mica said at a news conference. "This is a great victory for our veterans."

Mica, R-Winter Park, said he received the news in a letter from acting U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson.

Jerry Pierce, veteran and former chairman of the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, said he was "ecstatic" to learn the news.

"We have 2,600 veterans visiting that clinic every day. And that number is rising," Pierce said. "We needed it to stay open. Our congressional leaders worked really hard for this."

The long-awaited Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona is expected to start seeing patients in summer 2015. VA officials considered closing the Baldwin Park clinic and transitioning its outpatient medical services to Lake Nona. That would have meant a long drive for many veterans seeking care.

However, a VA analysis found that the medical needs of the veteran population were growing and that the "current workload already exceeds the projected workload" that was projected for 2023, according to Gibson's letter.

The VA "substantiated that we have the veteran population through 2023 and beyond to support both the new Lake Nona VA Hospital and the Baldwin Park Clinic," said Mica, who is among those who have strongly advocated for keeping the Lake Baldwin VA facility open.
read more here

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Florida Reps Want Lake Baldwin VA Clinic to Stay Open

We needed a new hospital considering Lake Baldwin, while huge, is just a clinic. We're getting a new one, (Lord only knows when it will open) but it should be used with the clinic considering how many veterans are in Central Florida. Lawmakers are pushing to keep it open and so are veterans.
Mica: Keep VA clinic open
Orlando Sentinel
April 14, 2014

U.S. Rep. John Mica, with support from other Central Florida congressmen, is pushing to keep open the Veterans Affairs clinic and two veterans housing centers on Lake Baldwin, even though those services are being moved to the new Veterans Affairs hospital in Lake Nona.

On Monday, Mica sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs urging the department to keep the Lake Baldwin facilities open to serve the increasing number of veterans needing health care. The letter also was signed by U.S. Reps. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden; Alan Grayson, D-Orlando; and Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville.

Besides the Lake Baldwin Outpatient Clinic, which has served an average of 96,000 veterans a year with virtually all medical services except in-patient hospitalization, the Lake Baldwin campus includes a 120-bed nursing center and a 60-bed domiciliary, which provided residential services to homeless veterans.

"We want action," Mica said. "We will get it."

Mica is a Winter Park Republican whose district includes the Lake Baldwin area.

The new 134-bed Orlando VA Hospital, part of a $665 million, million-square-foot Veterans Affairs complex at Lake Nona, is set to be completed late this year and likely will open next spring. Portions of the complex already have opened, and services are being transferred from Lake Baldwin.

The Lake Baldwin VA complex has about 400,000 square feet and costs about $8 million a year to operate, said Mike Strickler, spokesman for the Orlando VA Medical Center.
read more here

Thursday, February 13, 2014

VA training facility coming to Lake Nona

VA medical training facility to be built next to hospital at Lake Nona
WFTV News
Feb. 13, 2014

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 was there Thursday as Sen. Bill Nelson got a look at plans for a new Veterans Affairs medical training facility that will be built next to the VA hospital project at Lake Nona.

Nelson fought for the project to be built in central Florida because of the area's booming simulation industry. He said it also makes sense for it to be built next to the hospital to keep Orlando on the forefront of the changes in technology and protect the industry from future cuts.

"We use mannequins, task trainers, virtual training to allow our providers, our trainees to practice before going in," said SimLearn Medical Director Dr. Haru Okuda.

Channel 9's Karla Ray got look at some of the simulators that will be built into the 51,000-square-foot training center. The just-announced project will be the hub for all VA physician training in the country.
read more here

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Orlando Lake Nona VA Hospital Q and A

Orlando Lake Nona VA Hospital Q and A
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 11, 2014

Town Hall meeting for veterans in the Central Florida at the American Legion Post 286 in Orlando last night was filled with information veterans need to know.

If you read the Orlando Sentinel article from yesterday, "New VA Hospital unlikely to open by December" they got the projected opening date wrong. It is not "an additional 90 days" but more than 120 days after construction is done.
You can hear more about that in this video. Parking has been a huge issue as well and according to the VA it is ok to park on the grass since there are not enough spaces at the Lake Baldwin Clinic. Remember, as you'll hear in the video that it is just a clinic and was never intended to be a full hospital. Space for what is needed is the reason why we are getting the new Lake Nona VA Hospital.

The Orlando Sentinel also got the number of veterans a bit wrong. While there are 400,000 veterans in Central Florida, according the the VA they only have a little over 100,000 veteran patients. There are 2,800 employees and 1,100 volunteers. Counties served are brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia.

Who is eligible for VA and the Affordable Care Act were also addressed.

Transportation has been an issue as well and projected to become a huge issue but the DAV and the VA have been working on it for a while. Part of the confusion regarding the vans the DAV supplies the VA with has come from funding. The federal government does not supply funds or the vans. The DAV does and funds come from members and donations. You'll hear that cleared up as well.

New Lake Nona VA Hospital not opening until 2015

Last night there was a meeting at the American Legion in Orlando with members of the VA. The Lake Nona VA Hospital opening was the biggest part of the discussion. During the meeting the date, depending on when the contractors handed over the keys 2015 was the date for the opening.

If the contractors are done in December, the VA would begin to move in with two 120 day segments. I have it on video and will be putting it together later this morning. You can hear more about this, Tricare issues, transportation issues and homeless veterans.

New VA Hospital unlikely to open by December
VA adds 90 days to completion date
Orlando Sentinel
By Marni Jameson
February 10, 2014
"It's a tragedy that it's taking this long," said Veteran Jerry Pierce, chairman of the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation.

"Five to six vets die each a day on average in Central Florida, and it's very sad for them and others who could have benefited," said Pierce of Winter Park.

The region's 400,000 veterans have been waiting a long time for the facility, which was originally scheduled to open in October 2012.
The new Orlando VA Hospital might not be open to veterans by December, after all.

Although two officials at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said two weeks ago that the parties had agreed on that date for completion, VA spokeswoman Josephine Schuda, one of those who confirmed that report, said Monday it wasn't so.

What's more, being complete is not the same as being open, the VA said.

"The VA has not projected a new completion date," Schuda said, adding that the government would not speculate on a new date.

Even if construction is finished in December, veterans will have to wait an additional 90 days before the hospital opens to patients, Schuda said.

So if the building is done in December, it will be March 2015 before veterans benefit.

The VA will need 90 days to outfit the more than 1 million square feet with equipment that must be assembled and with furniture, which is being stored off site, said Schuda. Staffing will also have to be coordinated and trained.
read more here

Monday, November 11, 2013

Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Dedication

Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Dedication
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 11, 2013

It was a fitting day to dedicated the Memorial Park at the Lake Nona VA Medical Center even though it will not be open until next year. There are 100,000 veterans being taken care of at the Bladwin Park VA in Orlando but there are 400,000 veterans in Central Florida, so we have been waiting for this since the ground breaking in 2008. Yes, 2008. There was a big event when we were all given shovels on 10-4-08. Since it was an election year, naturally most of us had our eyebrows raised. Back then Lake Nona was supposed to be opened by 2012.

Anyway, back to today. The VA didn't pay for the Memorial Park. Private donations paid for it along with a lot of businesses and bunch of people deciding that a beautiful location like this needed a beautiful area. They did it right! Here's a couple of videos on the service today and you can see part of the memorial.

From the Veterans Memorial Foundation, $2.2 million was raised to date of the $3 million needed. It sits on the shore of the lake in the 64 acre VA site. Eventually it will connect 24 mile bike/walking path.

This is the Director of the Orlando VA Medical Center, R. Timothy Liezert.

Dr. Neil Euliano told fascinating stories about some local heroes on the panels of the Memorials. These are just two of them because the wind decided to take over the audio of my camera.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Congressman Mica blames VA for delay in Lake Nona VA Hospital

VA puts hospital contractor for Orlando project on notice
By Marni Jameson
Orlando Sentinel
February 5, 2013

"The contractor has a reputation of doing a professional job with no conflicts," said Mica, "and the opposite is true of the VA."

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has fired another volley in its ongoing showdown with the main contractor for the much-delayed Orlando VA Medical Center.

The VA has issued a "Show Cause" notice to hospital contractor Brasfield and Gorrie. The legal order basically asks the contractor why it should not be fired.

Brasfield and Gorrie has until Monday to respond to the VA's claims, brought last week.

"It's getting to where there may be some action by the VA to terminate the contractor," said U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, who met with both parties last month. "I would hope that's not the case. I hope they can continue the work, get the project done and settle the differences afterward."

If the contractor is fired, hospital completion would be delayed even further because of the time needed to hire a new builder and go through the contracting process, he said.
The $665 million hospital was initially scheduled to open last October, but thousands of plan changes, poor communication and disagreements have stalled construction, according to the 90-year-old construction firm.
read more here

Sunday, August 19, 2012

DAV Orlando needs drivers too

I received the following email from the Orlando Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 in response to the post I put up about volunteer drivers needed for Syracuse area VA.
The same thing can be said for the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center (see article below), since they have four vans, but many days they do not have four drivers. There are days when only one driver is available.

We need to get the word out to the newspaper, radio stations, and tv stations, but I am not sure how.

If you can get the word out, I would appreciate it. I get letters from DAV headquarters in Cold Springs, Kentucky, that are letters passed on from veterans complaining they can not get rides in the DAV vans.

I am the VAVS representation for the Orlando V.A.M.C., but can not tell the VA what to do with the vans. Some drivers are only here during the winter, and like other "snowbirds," they go back north in the summer.

There is a code for how veterans must behave, and rules like no wheelchairs nor oxygen tanks.

Remember, many of these drivers are disabled too, and are older veterans themselves.

Please ask others if they can volunteer.

I think the transportation department at the VA can get rides for a few veterans who are special cases.

Lynx has special vans for wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, but they do charge a fee.

I was unconscious in 2008, so I can not be a driver.

Thanks for reading this.
Jonathan Turk


Considering the recent report about the Lake Nona VA stated there are now 500,000 veterans in Central Florida, the need is greater than ever! If you live near a VA hospital, connect with your local DAV and volunteer to drive these veterans so they can get their medical care.


DAV needs volunteer drivers in Syracuse area

Volunteer drivers needed for vets
By MARTHA ELLEN
Watertown Daily Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Disabled American Veterans is looking for volunteer van drivers to take veterans to clinic appointments and to the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“We’re in desperate need, especially in the north country,” said Andrew T. Newcomb, DAV transportation/hospital service coordinator. “The ones we have are being run ragged.”

The need will grow as the DAV has 13 new vans on order, which will replace some aging vehicles and add to existing service. Massena soon will have two vans instead of one; Watertown will grow from two vans to three; and Ogdensburg and Potsdam will receive replacement vans.

“We’re looking for as many drivers as we can possibly get,” Mr. Newcomb said. “Our needs are always for drivers and donations.”

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Construction issues cause delays for Lake Nona VA Medical Center

Construction issues cause delays for VA Medical Center
Facility slated to open in late 2013
ORLANDO, Fla.

WESH news

Construction delays and design changes have veterans in central Florida waiting on a much-anticipated new Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center. The VA has promised more scrutiny of the hospital's contractor, but the contractor said it's the VA's design changes that are delaying completion of the project.

Supporters of the project say it is greatly needed because of the growing veteran population in central Florida. When completed, the 300-bed facility and support services will provide care for nearly 500,000 vets who live in central Florida.

The microscope was on contractor Brasfield and Gorrie on Monday.

A U.S. House Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs talked to representatives of Brasfield and Gorrie about the future of the new Orlando VA Medical Center in Medical City near Lake Nona. The 65-acre campus was set to open in October, but it could be the end of 2013 before construction is completed.

"They are either going to terminate us, or they're going to work with us," said Jim Gorrie, president and CEO of Brasfield and Gorrie. "You can't just continue down the path we're going."

If construction is completed by the end of 2013, it will be early 2014 before patients needing dialysis or clinic services are seen. Surgeries and overnight stays will be much later, officials said.
Read more

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Lake Nona veterans memorial gets $250,000 boost from Massey Services

Lake Nona veterans memorial gets $250,000 boost from Massey Services Corporate giving
July 15, 2012
Matthew Richardson
Orlando Sentinel

Pest-prevention company Massey Services Inc. has pledged $250,000 to the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, bringing the group closer to its goal of $1.5 million for construction of a memorial at Lake Nona.

The $250,000 from Orlando-based Massey boosts the foundation's total to $900,000. Once the $1.5 million goal is met, the group's all-volunteer board will seek another $1.5 million for an upkeep endowment for the memorial.
read more here

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Orlando VA is a Multi-Million Dollar Debacle

Miller: New Orlando VA is a Multi-Million Dollar Debacle
For more information, contact: Amy K. Mitchell, (202) 225-3527
JUN 15, 2012
Issues: Health Care, Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the construction of the new Orlando Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, which will serve approximately 300,000 veterans and is already two years behind schedule:

“VA has painted a rosy picture for the public and the veterans of Florida for the past two years regarding the construction of the long-overdue Orlando Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. VA’s confidence in the timely and on-budget completion of this project was so great that it devoted ‘bid savings’ from this project for use elsewhere around the country. Needless to say, that confidence has given way to a somber reckoning of serious delays and potential cost-overruns.

“A Contract Cure Notice issued today by the Department of Veterans Affairs has the potential to stop construction at the Orlando site and increase the costs moving forward exponentially, if a resolution is not reached. The Committee was assured by VA officials on March 27, and again on May 18 of this year, that VA was working collaboratively with the contractor to ensure issues surrounding the construction of the facility would be resolved and the new timeline set forth by VA would be met. That was clearly not the case.

“This project has been a multi-million dollar debacle, and a failure of this magnitude deserves accountability at the highest level. Unfortunately, we have seen this pattern before. VA management and oversight of large construction and IT projects across the country has been sorely lacking and fraught with incompetence.

“The current situation in Orlando is inexcusable. Pointing fingers and laying blame will not build the medical center the veterans of Central Florida deserve. I expect answers immediately from VA on the status and cost of this project, and the implication of today’s decision on the delivery of care and services to our veterans.”

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

U.S. Rep Adams to VA Hospital officials: Progress 'unacceptable'

I went to the ground breaking for the Lake Nona VA hospital in 2008. Great food. A crowd of "important" people surrounded by an even larger crowd of veterans waiting for local care. The Orlando area has a VA clinic the size of a hospital but they can't take care of all the medical needs veterans have. It is not a nice ride to Tampa VA from Orlando especially when you are going for an operation and even harder for elderly veterans to make the trip. In 2008, we heard that this would be ready in 2012.

For two years we drove down 417 seeing the tent left behind from the groundbreaking. We kept wondering why this hospital was not even started. Isn't that why we all got together for the big deal ceremony? During those two years, veterans waiting and wondered why they still had to go to Tampa or struggle with the clinic parking lot being full.

For the next two years we saw progress and thought, "wow" this is going to be wonderful. Then we got news veterans would have to wait even longer. 400,000 veterans have waited for this, which sounds like a lot but they never seem to want to include the families these veterans have also waiting!


U.S. Rep Adams to VA Hospital officials: Progress 'unacceptable'
April 9, 2012
By Marni Jameson
Orlando Sentinel

Calling the slow progress on the much-delayed Orlando VA Medical Center "unacceptable," U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Orlando, chastised VA officials as she toured the construction site Monday.

Criticizing their "lack of oversight" and "lack of communication," the freshman Congresswoman, who is up for re-election this year, said, "We need to get this completed for our veterans. We made a commitment. Is that clear?" "Crystal clear, ma'am," said Bart Bruchok, senior resident engineer for the VA Office of Construction and Facilities. "They deserve better."

This is not the first time in recent weeks that the VA officials have been in the hot seat. Since the project contractor, Brasfield and Gorrie, brought the overdue status of the Orlando VA hospital to the attention of elected officials, politicians have put the pressure on.

Originally set to open in October, the medical center is now not likely to serve the region's 400,000 veterans before December 2013 — 13 months later than promised.

Among the major hold-ups were design drawings the contractor had been waiting for and couldn't proceed without. The VA has turned in "most" of them as of last month, said George Paulson, on-site project executive for B and G, the main contractor for the 1.2 million-square-foot facility.

The VA is "stepping it up," said Paulson. "They have made great strides."

Not only is the $665 million project way behind schedule, it's also way over budget. According to representatives from B and G, changes to the project have added at least $120 million to the price tag.
read more here
This report is from FOX Orlando

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lake Nona Orlando VA hospital delays could cost $120 million

Orlando VA hospital delays could cost $120 million
March 27, 2012
By Mark K. Matthews, Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- The largest contractor building Orlando's overdue VA Hospital told Congress on Tuesday that red tape and design errors could add $120 million or more to the original $665-million price tag – an overrun that ultimately would fall on U.S. taxpayers.

The estimate, revealed during a hearing held by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, is the first time the construction firm, Brasfield & Gorrie, has publicly attached a dollar figure to problems that have postponed the hospital's opening from next October to summer 2013, if not later.

The cost increase floored even veteran lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat who has fought for years for the project.

"I am not a happy camper," Brown said. "That is unacceptable."
read more here

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Lake Nona VA hospital needs a good stud

Steel stud's saga shows why VA Hospital's delays mount
March 17, 2012
By Marni Jameson, Orlando Sentinel

They say the devil is in the details. For those mired in Orlando's stalled VA Hospital construction project, thousands of details still need to be hammered out. And the clock is ticking.

One of those devilish details — an unassuming 6-inch steel stud — is but one example of what has put the long-awaited medical facility more than 15 months behind schedule.

Since the hospital's October 2008 groundbreaking, more than 3,200 questions about the working drawings have been brought to the VA's attention. Each of these questions takes the form of a Request for Information, or an RFI. Each one slows the clock.

In the hospital's case, the RFI process goes like this: The subcontractor brings the problem to the contractor, who sends an RFI to the VA, who forwards it to the architectural firm, who sends it to the engineer who made the decision, who responds. That answer then wends its way back down the same channel.
read more here

Saturday, February 4, 2012

VA chief to visit troubled Orlando hospital, lawmaker says

10-24-08 is engraved on the shovel I received at the ground breaking ceremony for this VA hospital. Yep. That long ago. I remember all the speeches given by politicians on both sides. Well it was to be expected since it was a big election year. Here we are in 2012 and as hundreds of thousands of veterans still wait there is more waiting to do. If you need to see a doctor, good luck getting into the VA clinic in Orlando. That parking lot fills up fast!

VA chief to visit troubled Orlando hospital, lawmaker says
posted by Mark Matthews on February, 3 2012 3:12 PM

WASHINGTON — VA Secretary Eric Shinseki told U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown today that he soon would visit Orlando’s incoming VA Medical Center, which is expected to miss its planned October opening because of design and construction problems.

Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat, said Shinseki made that promise during a breakfast meeting in Washington and that they were working to resolve what she called a dispute between the VA and its contractors. No date was given for Shinseki’s visit; officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs did not immediately respond to questions seeking comment or confirmation.

“We need to get it done and get it open,” Brown said.
read more here