New VA clinic dedicated in Fayette County
Amy Fauth/For the Observer-Reporter
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey delivered the keynote address at the grand opening and dedication of a new 16,000-square-foot VA outpatient medical center in Fayette Plaza.
Amy Fauth/For the Observer-Reporter
Joyce Thornton, Tele-health coordinator at the VA, explains that patients and the team at Fayette County can teleconference with specialists in Pittsburgh from one of the center’s five new tele-health suites.
Amy Fauth/For the Observer-Reporter
VA officials, veterans, elected officials and the community gathered Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the new VA Outpatient Clinic in Fayette Plaza.
Amy Fauth/For the Observer-Reporter
The new VA Outpatient Clinic features an expanded waiting area equipped with a computer for veterans to access their VA account, registration pods, coffee bar and televisions for entertainment while waiting.
Amy Fauth/For the Observer-Reporter
The checkout area at the new Fayette County VA Outpatient Clinic makes it easy for veterans to make appointments with staff as they leave the facility.
While Veterans of Fayette County will now have to go to a new VA Outpatient Clinic, the state-of-the-art facility is only a few doors down from the former location in Fayette Plaza.
Veterans, Veterans Affairs staff, local, county and federal officials and members of the community celebrated the grand opening of the new Fayette County VA Outpatient Clinic on Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who gave the keynote address, recalled when news broke of American forces clashing with the Iraqi Republican Guard in January 1991. Back home, his father was taking his oath of office for his second term as governor that day. His words then mean just as much as they do now.
“He said, ‘We pray for them, but we pray for ourselves that we may be worthy of their valor,'” recalled Casey.
Looking at this new center, Casey said it is the best possible setting, with quality health care that will allow veterans to live full lives.
“This clinic is proven it’s worthy of your valor,” he said, addressing the veterans in attendance.
The facility offers new services to veterans, including hearing tests and some dermatological services. It also continues to offer primary and preventive care, mental health care, podiatry and dietary services, and diagnostics, including laboratory and imaging services.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Barbara Forsha, interim director of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, who said the clinic is one of seven in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The clinic is vital to the community because it is close to home for veterans and offers that one-stop-shop experience that veterans have communicated they desire.
The customized space allows for a team-based and holistic health care opportunity. The new layout optimizes clinic flow and patient safety.
Veterans can now get the best of not only face-to-face care, but tele-health technology or virtual care technology, which links patients and their team here in Fayette County with specialists in Pittsburgh without having to undergo the stressful and time-consuming drive to the city.
The new location is 16,000 square feet, offers the latest in medical equipment and technology and more than doubles the capacity for virtual care delivery in many specialties, including mental health care and treatment for PTSD.
The former location had two tele-health centers, and the new one is equipped with five.
“This clinic is more than just a structure,” said Forsha. “It’s a community.”
Michelle Lee, CEO of STG International, which operates the clinic in partnership with the VA, pointed out that this new facility was designed and built by Pennsylvanians dedicated to improving local services, the local economy and local prosperity.
According to Lee, the VA team has one mission.
“Our number one focus is to take care of you,” said Lee. “The most important patients are our veterans.”
In addition, county Commissioners Vince Vicites and Dave Lohr were in attendance, along with state Rep. Ryan Warner and representatives from several other state and federal legislators to support the opening of the new clinic.
Amvets Post 103 also participated by posting and retiring the colors as part of the ceremony.