New VA outpatient clinic holds open house

Dignity and respect are what veterans will be treated with, officials said Friday at an open house for the new Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic on outer Washington Street.

"We have the privilege of taking care of American heroes," said Dr. Ray B. Lanier, president of Valor Healthcare Inc. "We want our veterans to feel safe and comfortable here and we've designed the facility with that in mind."

There is a women's health section with privacy designed with input of female veterans, a group therapy room and a handicapped-accessible examination room with a table that moves to allow veterans in wheelchairs more comfort, Dr. Lanier said. A waiting room has large glass windows, a flat-screen television and a coffee area. The check-in counter is part of a small soundproof room with three walls made of windows. Veterans can give personal information and discuss health issues privately and feel as if they are safe, Dr. Lanier said.

"We're dealing with a lot of patients who may have post traumatic stress," he said. "We have lots of windows so they won't feel trapped or closed in. We want them to know they are in a safe zone."

The corridor leading to examination rooms and offices will be adorned with personal memorabilia donated by veterans.

"It means the patients have ownership of this facility," Dr. Lanier said. "These two walls will fill up in no time."

Nicola L. Luciani, Watertown, is a retired member of the Air Force. He toured the new facility and was impressed with how modern the building and equipment were. He said the clinic's new location is one of its biggest assets.

"There are literally thousands of veterans in the area and the clinic is now in a central location," he said.

Watertown Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said the new facility is both beautiful and accessible.

"We're proud to have the veterans served in a location central to pretty much all of Jefferson County," he said. "It's a convenient location for everyone and hopefully they'll be able to use it effectively."

Duane D. Croniser, director of the Lewis County Veterans Services Agency, said some of the veterans from Lewis County aren't sure how they feel about the new location. The former VA Clinic was in the Carthage Area Hospital's Professional Building, more convenient for some Lewis County patients.

Carthage's lease agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate the clinic expired at the end of November. The new clinic willopen Monday in the CANI Building, 19472 Route 11.

Active duty Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm R. Adair said he was very impressed with the steps taken to make the veterans feel comfortable in the new facility.

"It's so important to these guys that they feel secure and keep coming," he said.

Dr. Lanier said the waiting room will always be open to veterans.

"We want it to be a place where veterans come have a cup of coffee and share war stories with other veterans," he said, "even if they never see a doctor."

The VA Clinic will offer primary care to veterans, including audiology and optometry, which will be added in the spring.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached at 1 (800) 310-5001.