New VA clinic saluted
Facility has more room, more staff, more services
Monday, October 27, 2008 3:22 AM
By Jeb Phillips
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Almost from the time Columbus' Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Clinic opened in 1995, it was too small. And space has only become tighter.
The outpatient clinic was designed to handle about 135,000 patient visits per year; it now handles 310,000. Some veterans have to park in the overflow lot at the church across the street, then dodge traffic while crossing Taylor Avenue on the Near East Side.
The clinic staff was sending patients who needed even minor surgeries to VA medical centers in Cincinnati and Dayton. The Columbus clinic didn't have room or the facilities for them.
So it is with relief, and a little giddiness, that the clinic's chief of staff talks about the new $95 million Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center. The clinic, at 420 N. James Rd., will be dedicated Thursday and will accept its first patient Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day.
"It is well-designed as a healing environment," Dr. Miguel LaPuz said.
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Showing posts with label VA clinic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VA clinic. Show all posts
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Suspect is arrested in Vets clinic shooting in New Orleans
Suspect is arrested in Vets clinic shooting
Man's wife shot in leg Tuesday, September 23, 2008
By Michelle Hunter
Kerry Bruce missed his court date Monday afternoon where he was supposed to enter a plea on charges of domestic violence against his wife. Authorities say that's because he was at a Metairie clinic shooting her.
Bruce, 45, of New Orleans, led deputies on a 30-minute manhunt through a Metairie neighborhood before a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office helicopter flushed him out of hiding in a backyard.
Bruce's wife, Stephanie, 43, was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. She was in stable condition Monday evening and expected to recover.
In addition to the domestic violence charges he faces in Orleans, Jefferson Parish authorities have now booked Bruce with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping, Fortunato said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 p.m. at the Ochsner Rehabilitation Center, 850 Veterans Memorial Blvd., where Stephanie Bruce worked as a receptionist, Fortunato said. The physical therapy center is on the second-floor of the office building.
Fay Bridges of New Orleans was inside receiving therapy for her back when the shooting took place. She said she and at least four other patients were in a large therapy room, down the hall and away from the reception area.
She didn't see the shooting.
"I heard a pop, pop, then she screamed," Bridges said of the shooting victim. Then Bridges heard a male employee repeatedly telling someone, "Don't do that."
Bridges said the patients panicked and began trying to take cover, but there were few places to hide. All the while, she said she could hear Stephanie Bruce's cries. "She was screaming for dead murder," Bridges said.
According to authorities, Bruce shot his wife in the leg and was trying to drag her into the elevator and out of the building. In talking with other witnesses, Bridges said she was told a male Ochsner employee tried to intervene, but took cover behind a door when Bruce pointed the gun at him.
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Man's wife shot in leg Tuesday, September 23, 2008
By Michelle Hunter
Kerry Bruce missed his court date Monday afternoon where he was supposed to enter a plea on charges of domestic violence against his wife. Authorities say that's because he was at a Metairie clinic shooting her.
Bruce, 45, of New Orleans, led deputies on a 30-minute manhunt through a Metairie neighborhood before a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office helicopter flushed him out of hiding in a backyard.
Bruce's wife, Stephanie, 43, was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. She was in stable condition Monday evening and expected to recover.
In addition to the domestic violence charges he faces in Orleans, Jefferson Parish authorities have now booked Bruce with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping, Fortunato said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 p.m. at the Ochsner Rehabilitation Center, 850 Veterans Memorial Blvd., where Stephanie Bruce worked as a receptionist, Fortunato said. The physical therapy center is on the second-floor of the office building.
Fay Bridges of New Orleans was inside receiving therapy for her back when the shooting took place. She said she and at least four other patients were in a large therapy room, down the hall and away from the reception area.
She didn't see the shooting.
"I heard a pop, pop, then she screamed," Bridges said of the shooting victim. Then Bridges heard a male employee repeatedly telling someone, "Don't do that."
Bridges said the patients panicked and began trying to take cover, but there were few places to hide. All the while, she said she could hear Stephanie Bruce's cries. "She was screaming for dead murder," Bridges said.
According to authorities, Bruce shot his wife in the leg and was trying to drag her into the elevator and out of the building. In talking with other witnesses, Bridges said she was told a male Ochsner employee tried to intervene, but took cover behind a door when Bruce pointed the gun at him.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Florida:Orange City VA Clinic Gets Rave Reviews
Orange City VA clinic opens to rave reviews
Staff and services also have increased in the move from Sanford to Orange City.
Andrea Stanley Special To The Sentinel
May 25, 2008
World War II veteran Charles Ganoudis lives in Winter Springs. But he likes the new Department of Veterans Affairs' clinic in Orange City so much that he doesn't mind driving from Seminole to Volusia County for medical treatments.The clinic, which opened May 13, is at 2583 S. Volusia Ave.It replaces a smaller clinic in Sanford near Central Florida Regional Hospital on State Road 46. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday."I did have some injuries; I did survive them," said 81-year-old Ganoudis. "I don't like to go into it.
"Now I am just glad I get to go to this outstanding clinic. I feel good just going in and coming out."The move from Sanford to Orange City was prompted by the fact that many more veterans in southwest Volusia need services, including those living in DeBary, Deltona and Orange City, according to Dr. Martin S. Schnier, chief medical officer for community-based outpatient clinics for the Orlando VA Center.The new clinic is also expected to draw veterans from north Seminole County and east Lake County, he said.
Nearly three times larger than the Sanford location, the 6,000-square-foot clinic in Orange City also offers a host of new services.The staff of primary-care physicians has been increased from three to five, and new members of the team include a full-time psychiatrist, a social worker and a pharmacist.The clinic also allows access to what Schnier refers to as "telehealth," a service in which patients can consult with specialists at other VA clinics and hospitals via special equipment, including a TV monitor.
"It is really cutting-edge stuff," Schnier said."It is wonderful for the patient. Now they don't necessarily have to travel to Orlando or Tampa to be seen by a specialist."He expects the clinic will begin serving about 2,500 veterans and expand to about 6,000, compared with the Daytona Beach VA outpatient clinic's 18,000 served."We are finding a large number of veterans are coming in already, including a lot of new applicants," he said."
Certainly location, with the cost of gas, plays a factor, and the increased services are a big plus. Even our old patients don't mind the drive. When they see the new clinic, they are amazed with the wow factor."It is a beautiful, spectacular clinic."That's one of the reasons Ganoudis continues to travel."I have been to VA hospitals and clinics all over the country, and this is the best," he said. "The clinic has the finest staff of people, and it is so clean. It isn't laid out like a dungeon.
"The clinic will have a ceremonial opening June 7 with VA officials and others, including U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park.
"The huge growth in population of veterans in southwest Volusia more than warrants this facility," said Mica, whose district includes part of Volusia."It is critical to provide our veterans with convenient services, so this is very exciting.""They [veterans] are coming out, and we are happy to see them," Schnier said. "It is our job to bring services to these veterans."The number for the clinic is 386-456-2080.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Brandon Florida may land VA clinic
Brandon may land VA clinic
By Emily Nipps, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, May 17, 2008
BRANDON — Military veterans living in east Hillsborough County may eventually have outpatient care closer to home.
A new Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Brandon is expected to receive support from the House of Representatives later this month, according to U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, and could be open for patients by June 2011.
If the proposal passes, more than $4.3-million in funding could be available for a 50,000-square-foot outpatient facility. The location has not been determined.
"In general, outpatient clinics are a great service to veterans, and it's important to provide the care close to where they are," said Susan Wentzell, a public affairs specialist at James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa. "But it's too early to say much about what this clinic would provide."
Haley, one of the nation's busiest VA hospitals, logged more than 1-million outpatient visits last year. A Brandon clinic would serve as an extension of Haley and would be more convenient to the estimated 10,000 veterans who would use it each year.
go here for more
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/veterans/article511027.ece
By Emily Nipps, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, May 17, 2008
BRANDON — Military veterans living in east Hillsborough County may eventually have outpatient care closer to home.
A new Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Brandon is expected to receive support from the House of Representatives later this month, according to U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, and could be open for patients by June 2011.
If the proposal passes, more than $4.3-million in funding could be available for a 50,000-square-foot outpatient facility. The location has not been determined.
"In general, outpatient clinics are a great service to veterans, and it's important to provide the care close to where they are," said Susan Wentzell, a public affairs specialist at James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa. "But it's too early to say much about what this clinic would provide."
Haley, one of the nation's busiest VA hospitals, logged more than 1-million outpatient visits last year. A Brandon clinic would serve as an extension of Haley and would be more convenient to the estimated 10,000 veterans who would use it each year.
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http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/veterans/article511027.ece
Thursday, February 21, 2008
North Bend Oregon Homeless Vets Need Coats
Veterans helping veterans stay warm during cold days
By Azenith Smith
NORTH BEND - Local veteran groups are working together to help other area veterans, who may be down on their luck, keep warm during these chilly, end of winter days.From now until the end of February, organizations like the Southern Oregon Veterans Outreach or SOVO are collecting used warm jackets to give to veterans in need at the VA Clinic in Roseburg that serves veterans in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties.
Coos Bay resident Jeanne Rugh, who's husband is a veteran, started the drive after learning that the clinic had many requests for them.
"Because it's been such a cold winter, the coats have been depleted," says Rugh. "That's why they need more. We are supposed to get another cold spell here."She adds, statistics show veterans make up one in four homeless people nationwide. Often times, they don't ask for help, but can always use a giving hand.
"These men and women put their life on the line for us so the least we can do is to help them where they need help," says Rugh. "If it weren't for all these veterans, where would we be? This wouldn't be America."Jackets can be dropped off at the SOVO office in Pony Village Mall as well as the Eagles Club and Driftwood Barber Shop in Coos Bay.
The plan is to deliver the jackets in March. Their goal is to collect 100 and so far, they've received about 60 jackets.
For more information or to help, call (541) 269-7922.
http://www.kcby.com/news/15821242.html
By Azenith Smith
NORTH BEND - Local veteran groups are working together to help other area veterans, who may be down on their luck, keep warm during these chilly, end of winter days.From now until the end of February, organizations like the Southern Oregon Veterans Outreach or SOVO are collecting used warm jackets to give to veterans in need at the VA Clinic in Roseburg that serves veterans in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties.
Coos Bay resident Jeanne Rugh, who's husband is a veteran, started the drive after learning that the clinic had many requests for them.
"Because it's been such a cold winter, the coats have been depleted," says Rugh. "That's why they need more. We are supposed to get another cold spell here."She adds, statistics show veterans make up one in four homeless people nationwide. Often times, they don't ask for help, but can always use a giving hand.
"These men and women put their life on the line for us so the least we can do is to help them where they need help," says Rugh. "If it weren't for all these veterans, where would we be? This wouldn't be America."Jackets can be dropped off at the SOVO office in Pony Village Mall as well as the Eagles Club and Driftwood Barber Shop in Coos Bay.
The plan is to deliver the jackets in March. Their goal is to collect 100 and so far, they've received about 60 jackets.
For more information or to help, call (541) 269-7922.
http://www.kcby.com/news/15821242.html
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Fort Campbell to be first to get such facilities from DoD funding
The DOD and the VA need to get centers open and running across the country now. They need to do what is being done at Fort Campbell. More, they should use the empty buildings across the country and put in Vet's centers to take care of all of them until they have these buildings ready for them. Don't make them wait until we are ready to help them. They didn't make us wait when we sent them to get wounded.
New post clinics to fight dual threat: PTSD, TBI
Fort Campbell to be first to get such facilities from DoD funding
By JAKE LOWARY
The Leaf-Chronicle
Fort Campbell has found itself at the forefront of a different kind of fight — to keep soldiers healthy.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury have vaulted to utmost importance with military officials as more and more soldiers return from deployments with noticeable symptoms of the conditions.
Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division are no exception, said Maj. Michael McGhee, M.D., chief of neuropsychological services at Fort Campbell.
For that reason, two separate clinics are being built on post to help treat soldiers who have suffered such injuries.
Condition details
About 20 to 25 percent of soldiers who have returned from combat have shown signs of PTSD, McGhee said, noting "a significant problem has been recognized."
"They are clearly having PTSD problems" he said.
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Friday, January 18, 2008
Fargo VA has 13% patient increase in a year
Fargo VA serves more vets in outreach clinics
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 18, 2008 16:58:18 EST
FARGO, N.D. — The Veterans Affairs Medical Center here is serving an additional 2,400 veterans with new outreach clinics, the agency says.
VA said it has had a 13 percent increase in patient visits over the past year as soldiers return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Fargo VA is to be an outpatient center to treat brain trauma victims. It’s opened new clinics in Devils Lake and Bemidji, Minn.
“We’re really working with our community partnerships,” said Robert McDivitt, the center’s director.
Paula Conard, who manages the Veterans Service Center, which helps vets obtain benefits, said improvements have been made in the past two years to better the speed of processing claims. Currently, 1,400 claims are pending, with the average decision time running about 90 days, she said.
“We’ve made great strides in processing claims,” she said.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_fargova_080118/
One more lesson on the need for clinics and veteran's centers to open up and open fast across the country.
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 18, 2008 16:58:18 EST
FARGO, N.D. — The Veterans Affairs Medical Center here is serving an additional 2,400 veterans with new outreach clinics, the agency says.
VA said it has had a 13 percent increase in patient visits over the past year as soldiers return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Fargo VA is to be an outpatient center to treat brain trauma victims. It’s opened new clinics in Devils Lake and Bemidji, Minn.
“We’re really working with our community partnerships,” said Robert McDivitt, the center’s director.
Paula Conard, who manages the Veterans Service Center, which helps vets obtain benefits, said improvements have been made in the past two years to better the speed of processing claims. Currently, 1,400 claims are pending, with the average decision time running about 90 days, she said.
“We’ve made great strides in processing claims,” she said.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_fargova_080118/
One more lesson on the need for clinics and veteran's centers to open up and open fast across the country.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Orlando Area finally getting a VA Hospital
Veterans hospital comes to Lake Nona
An agreement brings the $553 million facility to Orlando's new medical campus.
Harry Wessel Sentinel Staff Writer
December 19, 2007
The two-decadelong dream of a VA hospital in Central Florida took a big step toward reality Tuesday when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Tavistock Group signed an agreement to bring the long-awaited facility to a planned "medical city" in the southeast corner of Orlando.
"Finally, the largest metropolitan area not serviced by a VA medical center will now have a facility at Lake Nona," said U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, who said he would push for full funding of the VA hospital in the federal government's fiscal 2008 budget.
Congress has previously authorized money for the Orlando VA hospital, including $35 million to purchase the property. Terms of the agreement Tuesday were not disclosed, though Feeney's office noted the authorization amount had not changed and that the total amount for the VA hospital "will be over $377 million."
It should be well over that. The total bill for the VA-hospital project will be an estimated $553 million, according to a letter sent Tuesday from U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez to Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. James Peake.
In a separate press release, Martinez pledged to work for full funding of the VA hospital now that "all major aspects of the negotiation have been agreed upon."
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Up until then Orlando has the VA Clinic
About Orlando VAMC
The Orlando VA Medical Center includes the Orlando VA Medical Center, Nursing Home Care Unit, the Domiciliary and Rehabilitation Program, Viera OPC, Daytona OPC, and the 3 Community Based Outpatient Clinics which are located in Leesburg, Kissimmee, and Sanford. Learn more about Orlando VAMC.
About this Facility
The Orlando VA Medical Center, serving an area of more than 90,000 veteran patients in East Central Florida, is one of seven members of the VISN 8 Healthcare System. The Orlando VA Medical Center includes the Orlando VA Medical Center, Nursing Home Care Unit, the Domiciliary and Rehabilitation Program, Viera OPC, Daytona OPC, and the 3 Community Based Outpatient Clinics which are located in Leesburg, Kissimmee, and Sanford.
The East Central Florida veteran population is slated for a new hospital to be built in 2012 to serve nearly 400,000 veterans. This much needed facility will make it easier for east central Florida veterans to access VA’s world-class medical center and relieve the burden of traveling long distances for their inpatient care.
In addition to our main facility in Orlando, we offer services in several outpatient clinics in our 6 county patient service area. These clinics are located in —
Daytona Beach
Kissimmee
Leesburg
Sanford
Viera
Suicide Prevention Awareness
Together, Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers stand ready to reach out and help veterans at risk for suicide. Seek professional help. Learn more about Suicide Prevention.
Not that the news has paid much attention to what is going on with Orlando area veterans.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Two Wisconsin VA clinics opened under spot light shut down over lack of funding
Is this more of the same grand illusion perpetrated against our veterans by an unresponsive government? Of course it is! Did you really expect anything else coming out of the same administration that allowed the VA to fall apart and the DOD to treat wounded worse than prisoners in our jails? When the media put a spotlight on the VA, as well as the DOD, they "took action" to correct the problems, as if someone else caused them instead of the administration running both of them. Where were they when all of it was failing our veterans? What did they think they were getting away with? How could they do something like this?
Two northwest Wis. VA clinics close over funding problems
by Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
December 11, 2007
Two recently opened Minneapolis VA clinics in western Wisconsin were abruptly shut down this week by the company under contract to run them. Kentucky-based Corporate Health and Wellness says it lost hundreds of thousands of dollars opening the clinics. It blames the closings on a lack of additional funding from the VA.
St. Paul, Minn. — The two clinics that sit idle now opened to much fanfare this summer and fall. The VA said, and local veterans agreed, the facilities in Hayward and in Rice Lake would make it much easier for area vets to get basic health care. No longer would they have to travel long distances to VA facilities in places like Duluth-Superior or the Twin Cities.
But without warning, the clinics closed this week.
VA spokesman Ralph Heussner says the locked doors are an unexpected disappointment.
"It's an inconvenience and we apologize for that," says Heussner. "The reason we set the clinics in those communities is to provide service so the veterans would not have to travel long distances."
Heussner says the VA is looking into several primary care options for more than 900 veterans who've been using the Hayward and Rice Lake clinics.
As for the long term, Heussner says the VA is committed to opening clinics in the two towns. And this time, he says, the clinics will not be contracted out.
go here for the rest
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/11/vaclinicsclose/
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